Tuesday Night is Film Night is watching this week;
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Guy Ritchie is back at the helm for this 2011 sequel to Sherlock Holmes, with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law reprising their roles as the master criminologist and his trusty sidekick. This time they are out to thwart the evil plans of one Professor Moriarty, who is intent on making his wealth from the spoils of war. Set in the 1890's once more into the breach run Holmes and Watson in another tale of derring-do.
As with the 2009 film Guy Ritchie and the team proffer a two hour tale of intrigue, suspense, mind games, logic and brilliant effects all set to the backdrop of Victorian London and beyond. Again Downey Jr. portrays our hero as a rather swash buckling and fists flying individual who relies on his massive power of observation and logical deduction, as well as a few swift bouts of fisticuffs. Some Sherlockian purists may not enjoy the more physical adventures, but the thought processes and mental acrobatics are still there, as Messrs Holmes and Watson pursue the evil genius Moriaty.
John Watson manages to marry Mary, although with no real help from his best man; Holmes. Indeed Holmes turns the stag night, the marriage and the subsequent honeymoon to his advantage, to ensure that Watson is around to deal with Moriaty's henchmen.
The rest of the actual story is a little complicated and involved, therefore we could not do it justice here, needless to say it is a tale of good versus evil and the battling brain and brawn of the two adversaries. Jared Harris makes a rather wonderful Moriaty, playing it cool but sinister. Whilst Holmes brings in his brother Mycroft for assistance, superbly played by that doyen of Britishness; Stephen Fry. When Fry first appeared it was an absolute delight, and one hoped that this was not just a fleeting cameo and luckily enough it wasn't, and his presence bought a somewhat calming, proper influence, with a comedic undercurrent, to the plot twists.
The film is fun to watch, although the action is a tad over the top, it's the use of narration over slow motion thought processes that we enjoy, where a scene is described, then replayed in real time, giving you an insight into the character of Holmes. There's also some good use of high speed camera work, to give some ultra slow motion effects, over the top of live action. A most enjoyable film, better in some regards to the first outing for this pairing.
Not much else to say really, apart from at 129 minutes it is fairly long, but should hopefully keep you entertained for that period of time.
TNiFN Rating 75%
IMDB Link
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