Review: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

Director: Guy Ritchie (Snatch, RocknRolla)

Cast: Robert Downey Jr (Iron Man, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang), Jude Law (Cold Mountain, Enemy at the Gates), Noomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), Jared Harris (Mad Men, Fringe), Stephen Fry (V for Vendetta, Alice in Wonderland), Rachel McAdams (Wedding Crashers, Mean Girls), Kelly Reilly, Paul Anderson

The Deal: Sherlock Holmes (Downey Jr) and his trusty sidekick Dr. Watson (Law) join forces once again to bring down Professor Moriarty, who's intellect rivals Holmes' own wit, making him their fiercest adversary yet as he tries to control the world.

Thoughts: The summer is always chock full of blockbusters while the Oscar "favorites" dominate the winter months, but there's always a few "summer" films sprinkled into the Christmas bustle to bring families into the theater, and Sherlock Holmes is exactly that. This sequel doesn't bring anything new to the franchise, and that's just the way we like it. Holmes is highly entertaining film meant to draw families to the theater with its A-list stars, witty humor, and a dash of action. It's nothing we haven't seen many many times before, but there's just something to love about Homes and Watson unraveling another case.

What makes the film so enjoyable, like its predecessor, is the great combination of Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law. The two play off each other so well in both a comedic and serious way. They're like a late 1800's version of Batman and Robin. They're action heroes who aren't afraid to dress in drag or don their own urban camouflage if it means sneaking by the enemy to gain an advantage. Jared Harris plays the big bad new villain, a man who's intellect rivals that of Holmes, and when the two are on screen together, there is a nice touch of tension through the air. Both actors adequately portray their constantly calculating characters well, and the fact that every move they make is a calculated one based on a million different variables helps separate the film from the many others who have taken on the "villain taking over the world" plot.

I have to say, the front half of the film is more action than wit. Sure, we get some doses of the Holmes deductive skill, but the big expensive action sequences are gotten out of the way early. Many critic's have claimed this sequel lacked the same level of deductive finesse as the first, but it's in the back half, closer to the last third of the film where the mind games come full force. Ultimately when you walk away from the film, it has a dash of sequelitis (bigger, better, more awesome), but it still captures the best of the 2009 predecessor.

Verdict: Sherlock Holmes A Game of Shadows is a fun sequel that brings all the same things we loved about the first. If the family is looking for some bonding time, and the theater is your destination, Holmes would not be a bad choice at all. ☆☆☆1/2