Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows - Film Review
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is a solid popcorn flick. The film certainly has its flaws, but as a period-set action mystery – and sequel to 2009’s “brains AND brawn” reimagining of Sherlock Holmes (my review) – A Game of Shadows manages to deliver the entertainment goods pretty consistently… if superficially. But then again, were we expecting anything more?
Plot-wise, A Game of Shadows feels superior to its predecessor. Although mystery solving takes a backseat to fist fights, chases and explosions in Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes franchise, this time around there is far less convolution as brilliant eccentric Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) and his capable straight man Dr Watson (Jude Law) attempt to stop a string of terrorist attacks and assassinations that will have devastating consequences for peace in Europe.
For the record, A Game of Shadows dumps its predecessor’s dabbling in the pseudo-occult, to instead focus more on Victorian era technology and politics. The looming threat of World War I – which historically was a concern as far back as 1891 – adds a nice edge to proceedings… not to mention a chance for the audience to ogle interesting proto-WWI weaponry.
More importantly, A Game of Shadows also draws on the classic Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story The Final Problem, in which Holmes faces his greatest nemesis, Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris) – a covert criminal mastermind who can outthink and outfight the Baker Street detective. Although Stephen Fry, as Sherlock’s brother Mycroft, is hands-down the big scene-stealer of the film, Harris is nonetheless a fantastic addition to the cast. The quietly ominous meetings between calm, immaculately groomed Moriarty and quirky, battered Holmes are among the strongest scenes in the film. There’s even a chillingly memorable moment where Moriarty one-ups Holmes with deadly results.
As mentioned before, A Game of Shadows certainly has its failings. The film is a bit stiff and uncomfortable to begin with, before it finds its tonal footing and Holmes and Watson are allowed to re-start their comical odd couple relationship (which certainly doesn’t skimp on lighthearted homo-erotic implication).
Newcomers to the new Sherlock Holmes film series may also a struggle a little since A Game of Shadows doesn’t bother with a refresher course as to who the returning characters are. Also, like Downey, Jr’s Holmes, the film is always on the move, flitting over characters and issues alike without stopping to explore them. For the most part this approach isn’t an issue with this kind of film but you do feel it in terms of character. As a result Noomi Rapace, as a gypsy ally to Holmes and Watson, feels a bit wasted. Rapace is competent, and her character feels like she belongs to the era as opposed to simply being a 21st Century woman shoehorned into another time. However, Simza feels largely pointless; present simply because the film needs at least one prominent female character.
The same sense of pointlessness is attached to the film’s big forest action scene, which featured prominently in the A Game of Shadow trailer. It’s cool and all, but seems to serve no function other than to exist as a special effects and cinematography showcase. As for the visualising of Holmes’s “deductive” approach to combat, I’m probably in the minority here when I say I find this signature feature of the new Sherlock Holmes films hit-and-miss in terms of application. Only the movie’s final confrontation uses it to its maximum, intelligent effect. Otherwise, it saps the action scenes of their energy, grinding their pace down to first gear.
At the end of the day though, flaws aside, it’s still a pleasure to visit the Sherlock Holmes universe, which recreates the past in such enjoyable, Oscar-nominated detail. Combined with the other positives of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows – including a very funny horse riding sequence – it’s still enough to earn this imperfect film three and a half stars out of 5.
Plot-wise, A Game of Shadows feels superior to its predecessor. Although mystery solving takes a backseat to fist fights, chases and explosions in Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes franchise, this time around there is far less convolution as brilliant eccentric Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) and his capable straight man Dr Watson (Jude Law) attempt to stop a string of terrorist attacks and assassinations that will have devastating consequences for peace in Europe.
For the record, A Game of Shadows dumps its predecessor’s dabbling in the pseudo-occult, to instead focus more on Victorian era technology and politics. The looming threat of World War I – which historically was a concern as far back as 1891 – adds a nice edge to proceedings… not to mention a chance for the audience to ogle interesting proto-WWI weaponry.
More importantly, A Game of Shadows also draws on the classic Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story The Final Problem, in which Holmes faces his greatest nemesis, Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris) – a covert criminal mastermind who can outthink and outfight the Baker Street detective. Although Stephen Fry, as Sherlock’s brother Mycroft, is hands-down the big scene-stealer of the film, Harris is nonetheless a fantastic addition to the cast. The quietly ominous meetings between calm, immaculately groomed Moriarty and quirky, battered Holmes are among the strongest scenes in the film. There’s even a chillingly memorable moment where Moriarty one-ups Holmes with deadly results.
As mentioned before, A Game of Shadows certainly has its failings. The film is a bit stiff and uncomfortable to begin with, before it finds its tonal footing and Holmes and Watson are allowed to re-start their comical odd couple relationship (which certainly doesn’t skimp on lighthearted homo-erotic implication).
Newcomers to the new Sherlock Holmes film series may also a struggle a little since A Game of Shadows doesn’t bother with a refresher course as to who the returning characters are. Also, like Downey, Jr’s Holmes, the film is always on the move, flitting over characters and issues alike without stopping to explore them. For the most part this approach isn’t an issue with this kind of film but you do feel it in terms of character. As a result Noomi Rapace, as a gypsy ally to Holmes and Watson, feels a bit wasted. Rapace is competent, and her character feels like she belongs to the era as opposed to simply being a 21st Century woman shoehorned into another time. However, Simza feels largely pointless; present simply because the film needs at least one prominent female character.
The same sense of pointlessness is attached to the film’s big forest action scene, which featured prominently in the A Game of Shadow trailer. It’s cool and all, but seems to serve no function other than to exist as a special effects and cinematography showcase. As for the visualising of Holmes’s “deductive” approach to combat, I’m probably in the minority here when I say I find this signature feature of the new Sherlock Holmes films hit-and-miss in terms of application. Only the movie’s final confrontation uses it to its maximum, intelligent effect. Otherwise, it saps the action scenes of their energy, grinding their pace down to first gear.
At the end of the day though, flaws aside, it’s still a pleasure to visit the Sherlock Holmes universe, which recreates the past in such enjoyable, Oscar-nominated detail. Combined with the other positives of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows – including a very funny horse riding sequence – it’s still enough to earn this imperfect film three and a half stars out of 5.
Comments
I liked the first movie better.
Cheers!