Robert Downey Jr. takes on the role of the world’s greatest detective once again in the new action drama Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. In this installment Holmes takes on his intellectual equal Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris) in a game of cat and mouse which could change the course of history. Moriarty plots to start a world war when he bombs a meeting of the world’s top dignitaries in an attempt to take over the world while also trying to extinguish his arch enemy Holmes. This may be Holmes most challenging adversary as Moriarty is not only extremely intelligent, but he shows no lack of remorse for his actions. Holmes and Moriarty are playing a dangerous game of chess in which each move will take Holmes and Dr. Watson (Jude Law) out of London, through Europe, France, and Germany and will finally result in a head on collision with Moriarty in Switzerland. Moriarty seems to always be one step ahead of Holmes as he sets a path of destruction for Holmes to follow. Meanwhile Watson is set to go on his honeymoon and Holmes promises him that if he helps him take care of Moriarty, it will be their last adventure together.
I enjoyed the first Sherlock Holmes movie very much and I felt Robert Downey was the best actor to play the famed detective. He does a great job once again in this sequel and I felt that he and Jude Law are perfect together as the crime fighting duo. The film is action packed from beginning to end, and also has a lot of humor sprinkled throughout. Jared Harris does a great job as the villain in this film and he and Downey were matched perfectly as the two dueling intellectual equals. The cinematography was superb and the special effects were breathtaking. One of the highlights in my opinion is when Holmes breaks down his fight moves in his head before he actually executes them. I thought this was great slow-motion action at its best. I feel that Robert and Jude are on a roll and I hope that they decide to join forces once again and make a third installment in the Sherlock Holmes series.
This movie was very entertaining and worth the price of admission. I gave it 3 stars out of 4. It was just as good as the first one and the chemistry between Downey and Law definitely make this film a great buddy adventure. The running time of the film is 2 hours and 9 minutes. It’s rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some drug material. It was directed by Guy Ritchie. The film was distributed by Warner Brothers.
Oh how I’ve missed you Holmes – Dr. Watson
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