Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)
Certified: 12
Duration: 128 minutes
Directed by: Guy Ritchie
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, Stephen Fry, Kelly Reilly, Rachel McAdams, Eddie Marsan, Geraldine James
KRS release
Set in 1891, the sequel to 2009’s smash hit sees France and Germany nearing war after a series of bombings has increased the tensions between the countries.
(The film)... continues tofine-tune the formula that wasso successful inthe first movie- Johan Galea
The evil Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris) has long been planning for this war to come about.
Set in his path is the brilliant, eccentric and flamboyant detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr), who is sure that Moriarty is the culprit, yet he needs proof.
This time around, it seems he will not get much help from his sidekick and best friend Dr John Watson (Jude Law), who is focused on the preparations of his wedding to Mary (Kelly Reilly).
When Sherlock organises Watson’s stag party, he invites his own brother – the well-connected Mycroft Holmes (Stephen Fry).
Sherlock believes that the gypsy fortune teller Simza (Noomi Rapace) is somehow involved in the proceedings of war.
At one point, Sherlock saves Simza from an assassin. Consequently, Mary is sent to be with Mycroft, while Sherlock, Watson and Simza set off to prove that Moriarty is the one plotting the bombings while making sure that the pending war is averted.
These new Sherlock Holmes movies are definitely unlike anything Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ever dreamt up for his character.
However, this Sherlock Holmes in steam punk clothing more than lives up to expectations and continues to fine-tune the formula that was so successful in the first movie.
This second outing increases the rivalry and tug-of-war between Sherlock and his arch rival Professor Moriarty.
Add to this a few interesting historical anachronisms (various weapons make their appearance about a decade too early), some delightful action sequences and a blue/grey colour palette and the setting is perfect for the unfolding story. The cinematography by Phillippe Rousselet more than adds a luscious look to the picture.
The emphasis this time around is less on Sherlock Holmes as an individual hero but more on his character and his teaming up with Watson – once again well played by Jude Law.
Mr Law really looks like a fine gent with that moustache and suit.
Robert Downey Jr is just being himself or at least he is just being the screen persona that we usually associate with him.
A hero is judged by the villain he faces and Jared Harris as Moriarty is the embodiment of conniving evil on two legs.
Noomi Rapace, the wild Mohawk-haired heroine from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, is somewhat left in the shade under all the nuances that the cast around her brings to screen.
The film has several highlight moments, with an action sequence on a train and another which sees the heroes trying to escape from a munitions factory being of particular note.
At one point, Sherlock and Moriarty engage in a game of chess without using any tangible chess pieces – making this quite a strong and emotion-filled sequence. As too is the sequence where the two engage in instantaneous planning and calculating of what would happen should they engage in a fistfight.
Midway through the film, director Guy Ritchie seems to lose a bit of steam and the film falters in its own pace and impetus.
However, Mr Ritchie more than makes up for this with all the stylish moves he can muster: close-ups of bullets coming out of smoking gun barrels, Wild Bunch-style shootouts, sequences to the tune of music from the classic Two Mules for Sister Sara, slow-motion choreography and mental fisticuffs galore.
The influences derived from such films as The Wild Bunch, the Matrix and spaghetti westerns, as incongruous as the mix may sound, are all worn proudly in this film and add to the picture’s overall achievement in style, lavish look and classy entertainment.