Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) Review

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Synopsis:

Into the shadows we shall traipse…

Sherlock Holmes has always been the smartest man in the room…until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large—Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris)—and not only is he Holmes’ intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may give him an advantage over the renowned detective.

Review

Elementary my dear readers. Ah Sherlock Holmes, the famous fictional detective of the 1800’s. I have always liked his character and the way he goes about doing things in his own way. This being the sequel there is always the small doubt of – “Will it live up to the original?” (Or on a more optimistic note, better it?). I did enjoy the first one, so that doubt however small, was still there. I had seen the trailer twice (through no fault of my own) and would recommend not viewing it…if possible. I am pleased to inform that it was highly enjoyable and perhaps slightly better, if not on par with the first movie.

The film doesn’t need any introduction to the characters and we hardly get one too, not that it matters. If you don’t have any inkling as to whom the characters are or haven’t seen the first one, you will speedily come to know who they are. We are introduced, with great heed to Mr Holmes’s (Robert Downey Jr.) arch nemesis Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris). I for the most part, didn’t mind…even though he is hidden in shadow and was made to make us wonder who he could be in the first flick.

He is the main antagonist, so it was befitting to show us who he was and get on with the movie. I liked who is chosen to play the villainous role and felt he fit the part rather well. All the acting is very well played out, with everyone performing their parts perfectly. I especially enjoyed the banter and relationship/partnership between Holmes and Watson (Jude Law) and couldn’t imagine a better pairing. The story is represented like a traditional Holmes tale, although you are never sure where we’re going to be taken next…with a few twists and turns thrown in for good measure. I also found quite humorous some of the dialogue and certain scenes which follow throughout the feature.

Amongst all the eloquently spoken languages, or I should say accents (and we get a few), are some superb action scenes and special effects. They are put in just at the right moments to make this Sherlock film go BANG! The action isn’t hugely different or anything we haven’t seen before, but it does provide adequate entertainment. The scenes may seem a little reminiscent, but have definitely been stepped up a notch.

It would not be the motion-picture it is today if not set in the wonderful locations of 18 Century Europe. They are portrayed most lovely indeed with a wardrobe that matched the scenery quite nicely. We travel to a host of different locations, providing us with some great cinematography and it really feels as if you are really there walking along-side them…Pip Pip ‘ol chap!

At the end of the day, Sherlock Holmes provides us with an interestingly enough action mystery that would satisfy any fan of the franchise and it’s a jolly fun ride! There are a few plot holes, or scenes that seem a little too easy for our heroes, especially when the odds seem overwhelmingly against them, but it is needed for the movie to flow the way it did and shouldn’t discourage you from the film; after all, we do want our hero to triumph…or at least we hope he will. The film being in its second week of showing has done a modest job at theatres and has managed to rake in a profit of $185 Million dollars on a budget of $125 Million.

Worth the watch if, you are a fan of the franchise/Sherlock Holmes, looking for an action/mystery with a difference or like the cast.

Trailer

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