Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

(2011)
I enjoyed the first film more than Id expected, and so finally got around to watching the second installment. Ive warmed to Downey, Jr. over the last few years, predominantly based on his enjoyable performances as Tony Stark, and, well, accent aside, his Holmes is not all that terribly different. Once again Watson (Jude Law) is back, and once again Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) is given short shrift. Watsons now-wife, Mary (Kelly Reilly) is thankfully relegated to a smallish role (though shes leagues more enjoyable than in the first one), and Stephen Fry plays a bizarro Mycroft Holmes. The plot, this time, is actually more compelling than the first one; Moriarty (Jared Harris), shown to actually be a professor, is more of a plotter behind the scenes, manipulating others into doing his bidding, and his bidding, as it turns out, is to try to start World War I. This sounds suspiciously like the villain wants to take over the world trope, but here, surprisingly, the horror of war is invoked, and Holmes rightly regards the shattering of peace the industrialization of war, as Moriarty puts it as horrific. Holmes must once again recruit Watson sort of against his will to join along and put a stop to the mad professor, and they are partially aided by brother Mycroft, although Fry plays him more as a weirdo than as anyone particularly shrewd or helpful. The plot involves anarchists, gypsies (including a seer, Simza, played by Noomi Rapace), bombings, peace treaties, echoes of the 1870 war between France and Germany in short, someone was showing off their research, and it pays off handsomely. The film, while obviously imbibing from a modern flask, nonetheless is far more rooted in its time period than the first one (the ridiculous motorcar that Holmes drive notwithstanding), playing on real historical ideas and themes, which renders it imminently more satisfying (and one of Moriartys speeches even speaks to the fact that should Holmes prevent this war, the powers involved will simply find a way to provoke another). Downey Jr. by this time can pretty much play himself and get away with it (see Tony Stark), but I found him enjoyable here, even with Benedict Cumberbatchs memorable turn in mind; hes witty, sharp, and engaging. Laws Watson comes off better as well no longer sort of a dupe for Holmes, hes more of a willing accomplice, and admits his life would be dull without Holmes interference in it. Rapace, while I tend not to enjoy her, is perfectly fine here; Simzas sort of interesting, even if the plot with her long-lost brother is largely a red herring. The biggest and most pleasant surprise, however and the one great failing of the Cumberbatch show is Harris superb turn as Moriarty. Hes no cackling evil villain, no crazy assassin, no Jokerwannabe; hes sly, educated, intelligent, three steps ahead of everyone else hes the other side of the coin that is Sherlock Holmes, and here, we find him more than a match for the consulting detective. As Holmes is so often built up to be so brilliant, Moriarty is often a let

down, but not here Downeys Holmes is given a worthy opponent to fence with, and it really enlivens the film. There are some dopey moments Holmes camouflage suits are patently absurd, most of Mycrofts scenes are simply oddball, and Im not really sure we needed Downey in drag but overall this is one of those rare sequels that expounds and improves upon the original; its leaner, smarter, sharper, and simply better. If you at all liked the first Guy Ritchie Holmes movie, then this one is definitely worth a look; and though you can (easily) go to the well once too often, given how enjoyably this movie turned out, Id be game for a third. June 18, 2012