Following the critical and financial success of 2009’s Sherlock Holmes, it was inevitable that fiction’s greatest sleuth would venture into Hollywood’s most dangerous territory—the land of sequels. But, as we’ve seen this year in particular, sequels have come into their own.
Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) is investigating a series of bomb attacks and killings around Europe which seem to be setting the stage for war between Germany and France. The trail leads him once again to Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) who works for the devious Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris). Dr. Watson (Jude Law), on the other hand, has just been married but is pulled into Holmes’ web of circumstance as he prepares to foil the professor’s plans. Joining them in their endeavor are Sherlock’s equally peculiar brother, Mycroft (Stephen Fry), and a mysterious fortune-teller (Noomi Rapace) who help them unravel Moriarty’s sinister web.
The first Sherlock Holmes was good, but not great, so a part two may have seemed like a walk on thin ice. The thing about A Game of Shadows, however, is that it’s slicker than most sequels, seamlessly transiting between action, mystery and comedy. The plot flows well from the previous film and, while it follows the path set by its predecessor, it does not compromise the experience of first time viewers. You may be dropped into the deep end but the vibrancy of the characters will draw you in immediately.
Downey Jr. and Law reprise their odd-couple role well and there’s not a trace of staleness in their acting. Jared Harris does Conan Doyle’s classic villain nothing but justice (ironically) and Stephen Fry’s addition to the cast was an inspired choice as he brings his charmingly offbeat wit to the film. When it’s not being hilariously silly, it’s a gripping story of battling intellects.
The film does have its shortcomings, though. Some of the characters (and their performances) are anything but deep. Rapace’s character, Madam Simza, barely adds to the story and is mostly forgettable. The pace suffers, too, as it starts well but begins to drag about midway through. The use of slow motion and fast cut montages, while impressive at first, becomes a bit repetitive and unnecessarily elongates a number of scenes. But with its frenetic action, powerful leading performances and captivating story, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows proves to be dangerous at both ends and very crafty in the middle.