Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes – A Game of Shadows

December 22, 2011 at 8:30 am | Posted in Reviews | 1 Comment

There are very few sequels that can surpass their predecessors in the film industry, but Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows does just that. Guy Ritchie nailed this movie with an abundance of humor, action, and an engaging storyline. With top notch acting from the cast, and some truly stunning camera work, this film is truly worth a trip to the theater.

Like the first film, A Game of Shadows provides a good mix of humor and action. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law both do an excellent job in their roles. Downey’s quirkiness is a perfect fit without being too much. Unlike Iron Man 2, Downey really delivered for a second time here. Combined with Jude Law’s performance, they make a dynamic duo that will keep you entertained. Meanwhile, Jared Harris was a terrific pick for Professor Moriarty. His cool cutting manner plays a good match to Sherlock’s idiosyncrasies, and with his vengeful streak, creates an impressive villain. He’s the Sherlock Holmes version of Grand Admiral Thrawn.

The great acting adds a lot to the film, but the story itself equally matched it. A Game of Shadows is the ultimate showdown for Sherlock Holmes. He’s up against his greatest nemesis and it’s a game he’s struggling to win. Each opponent is trying to out play the other. Yet the story doesn’t get overwhelmed by action scenes. Some parts may border on the outlandish in retrospect, but while you’re watching it, you never get that feeling that it’s too much. Everything fits and works. Whether it’s Holmes and Watson being shot at by a machine gun on a train while Holmes is dressed as a woman, or them running through the woods while being shot at by artillery, it amazingly stays in touch with the story without losing the viewer.

One element that really helped keep the action engaging was the tremendous cinematography. A typical action scene can often get washed over with blurred effects. Bullets, explosions, and rapid martial arts scenes lose their impact when the viewer can’t follow along. Ritchie builds upon his repertoire of out-of-the-box camera shots to slow scenes down and give viewers unique angles on the action. For instance, the artillery scene in the woods involves near miss explosions and bullet shots. By slowing it down, you get to see just what kind of damage those explosions have and just how close those near misses are. It adds a new dimension to the sequence. Throughout the movie, unique camera work breaks down fight scenes and gun play to allow the moviegoers to enjoy the full effect of the film.

I went into the theater thinking I might see an entertaining film. I left fully enthused and invigorated with the experience. I couldn’t have picked a better way to end the day. If you’re looking for a film to check out, you’d be hard pressed for a better choice. A perfect five out of five metal bikinis.

Reviewed By: Skuldren for Roqoo Depot.