Hand Puppets - Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

4 out of 5 Popcorn Kernels

See Trailer Here

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of SHADOWS brings an interesting element to the Sherlock Holmes series. This movie will be liked by some, and not-so-much by others, because Sherlock in this case is evolving into more of an action/hero than sleuth, and as action/hero's go: they are not for everyone. But the element here that is most appealing, is this time Sherlock has a worthy nemesis, that is both as cunning, and as smart as he (and in some cases - much more), and it not only keeps Sherlock on his toes, but it also checks his ego at the door.

Be warned: this movie takes some time in building momentum. This isn't to familiarize us with the characters, but this movie is more In Character with its Atmosphere than the previous one. The language, mannerisms, and styling is delved in the English culture, and if you have watched any British television shows such as Absolutely Fabulous, Dr. Who, or even Torchwood - you understand that there is more banter and a slower buildup of tension that we Americans can be used to. So my advice, is to wait it out for the first 15-20 minutes. This is a thinking man's movie, as is appropriate with a hero such as Sherlock Holmes at the helm.


Sherlock (Robert Downey Jr.), is investigating a series of crimes, and averts another one while tracking his love interest from the previous movie, Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams). She is working for a man known as Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris), a man that Holmes knows very well. As Holmes averts (but only for a moment) the death of Dr. Hoffmanstahl - whom Adler was delivering a dangerous package to - Holmes realizes that Moriarty may be behind the other crimes.


At the same instance, Dr. Watson (Jude Law), is about to be married, and elicits Holmes to be his Best Man, but Holmes has other interests as he invites Watson to an arranged stag party, where Holmes meets with a gypsy named Simza, whose brother may have a connection with Moriarty and his ultimate plans. There, he realizes Simza has been pegged for assassination herself, and saves her - and this action alerts Watson that this stag party will lead to more than just wine and women.


Now that Holmes is onto Moriarty, he confronts this man, who is just as smart as Holmes, and just as clever at deducing situation before they can happen. This was seen in the first movie when Holmes was able to determine the outcome of a fight before the fight has actually happened. Well Moriarty can do this too, and since he has the plan, Holmes has to not only know what he is up to, but figure out how he will carry it out, and who he will use to do it - all through deduction.


Guy Richie is once again the director of this film, and I have to say, the special effects in this movie blew me away. They were not filled with CGI, or wild explosions, or quick fight scenes where the action is blurred - although they are there - he handles this in a way that is eye-popping amazing. I will love to see the Blu-Ray on this just to witness how much of this was done (especially the forest scene, where bullets reign past our hero's, while they remain in slow-motion).


I loved the character of Moriarty, for he has a quiet horror about him, of which makes him into a most evil and cunning man who can kill without malise. He's the Darth Vadar of that time, barely lifting a finger, but shattering a world all the same. Holmes and Watson are once again a most amazing team, and I am always amused at their homo-erotic tendencies with each other. There's is a most unspoken love of friendship. Downey is in top-form, and you can see that he has honed this character and made him his own.


The mystery soon doesn't become a mystery, but it is not the solving of the mystery that frightens. It is the type of mystery or the plan that this man, Moriarty had in mind, and just how crass he is to the human race. Sometimes a crime is shown as too big and too shocking to believe that one man would be willing to follow it through.


Sherlock: Games is a movie that is very entertaining, and I think will be better played at home where you have the time to digest what is going on. It is fast moving once it begins, but may seem to dialogue-heavy for most. I found it quite a thrill...and quite elementary I must say.