Venues
Events
MediaFilm
Ritchie Amps Up His Game for Sherlock Holmes 2
Review of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
| | More
This holiday season, consider a trip back in time to Victorian England where things are heating up with plenty of explosions and chaos –the kind only one legendary detective can create.
Guy Ritchie is back with “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” and it’s refreshing to see a sequel that not only lives up to the first film, but by far exceeds it. The sequel once again pits Holmes against his nemesis, Professor James Moriarty, in a “shadowy game of cat and mouse” that combines a battle of wits and a resounding match of fighting skill.
“A Game of Shadows” exchanges the more supernatural, mystical elements of the first Sherlock Holmes movie for political intrigue and anarchy on an international spectrum. Holmes and his entourage work their way through England, France and Switzerland, leaving plenty of explosions in their wake, as they attempt to stop Moriarty’s evil scheme that includes an arms monopoly, the potential outbreak of a world war and Victorian England’s version of plastic surgery. There’s even a 19th century stag party for dear Dr. Watson that erupts into chaos, which only Holmes can create.
While it is enjoyable to see Holmes’ uncanny intelligence at work on a grander scale, the plot’s complexity is daunting. Key plot points are interspersed between bouts of rapid, witty banter, and the added political drama makes it anything but “elementary” to follow, particularly if seated next to noisy popcorn munchers.
But even if the plot is overwhelming, it’s a treat to see Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law reunited as detective and doctor, respectively. Their rapport is even better and more amusing this time around, particularly as Holmes attempts to resign himself to the fact that Watson is now a married man with very different priorities.
“A Game of Shadows” also showcases the talents of Stephen Fry (“V for Vendetta”) as Mycroft, brother to Sherlock and just as eclectic in his own unique way. Jared Harris (“Mad Men”) brings depth to the cold, conniving Professor Moriarty, while Noomi Rapace (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” Swedish version) portrays the new character of Madam Simza, an intriguing gypsy fortune-teller.
While the sequel can stand alone as its own film, viewers who have seen the first are also treated to the return of Rachel McAdams as the alluring Irene Adler, though her time on screen is regrettably short-lived. There are also other familiar, recurring elements, such as Watson’s death-defying dog, Gladstone, and Holmes’ inclinations for disguises of all kinds.
Composer Hans Zimmer also returns to create the music, interspersing his original score with new variations, from ominous opera pieces to the rich tones used for the gypsy camp.
At a running time of a little over two hours, “A Game of Shadows” is long and intense, but never loses its focus. Best of all, it leaves the story tantalizingly open for a possible third installment.