If you’re not a fan of director, Guy Ritchie’s (Sherlock Holmes, RocknRolla) work than don’t read on any further because Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows is about as Guy Ritchie as you can possible get. If you thought the first Sherlock Holmes film was fast paced and action packed, well you haven’t seen anything yet.
This time around a spate of explosions has the world on tenterhooks, war is imminent with each country accusing the other of the atrocities. But Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr. – Due Date, Iron Man 2) believes they are actually the work of the evil, Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris – The Ward, Extraordinary Measures), especially after the death of Holmes’ friend, Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams – Midnight In Paris, Morning Glory). As he investigates Holmes manages to save clairvoyant Madame Simza Heron (Noomi Rapace – Babycall, Beyond) but in doing so triggers Moriarty to go after Holmes best friend/colleague Dr. John Watson (Jude Law – Hugo, Contagion) and Watson’s new wife, Mary (Kelly Reilly – Edwin Boyd, 1320). Holmes then realises to stop war from breaking out he must stop Moriarty so teams with his own brother, Mycroft (Stephen Fry – Alice In Wonderland, Animals United) and Watson in a bid to stop the evil plan.
Ritchie really does need to be congratulated with what he has done with this series of films. In A Game Of Shadows Ritchie really does embrace his past of making gangster films with most of the bad guys here looking like they have been ripped straight from Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels or Snatch. Ritchie doesn’t change his style simply because he is directing a film about a time-honored Detective. And in a strange way it actually enhances the film and makes it more visually appealing.
Some people will say that they find Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows a little confusing, that the story moves along to fast. Really, these people need to concentrate harder and realise that Ritchie mixes just the right amount of drama, suspense and action. Yes its delivered at a fast pace but it certainly isn’t unwatchable.
Acting-wise Robert Downey Jr. once again brings his A-game to the table. He is brilliant as Holmes, never before have I soon an actor who is more-right for a part. He is well supported by Jude Law who like Downey Jr. embraces the comedic elements of the film, but even he is overshadowed by Noomi Rapace who may not have to call on the dramatic acting style she revealed in the Millennium series of films but she does show Hollywood that she has plenty to offer.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows really is the smart-person’s action film. At heart it is a Detective story but it has a real brute force just under the surface that is waiting to explode off the screen. This is my friends is how you make an action film.
Year: 2011
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Jacob Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, Stephen Fry, Rachel McAdams, Kelly Reilly
Classification: M
Runtime: 129 mins
Rating: 