The teaming of Robert Downey, Jr. with Jude Law and director Guy Ritchie worked extremely well in 2009’s SHERLOCK HOLMES.
The question being, could they repeat the magic two years later? The answer being, damn right.
Downey, Jr. as Sherlock reprises his role as the world’s most famous detective and Law returns as his formidable colleague, Dr. Watson.
And you guessed it, this 1891 cat and mouse game sports a new antagonist. He’s criminal mastermind at large Professor Moriarty, played devilishly by Jared (Mad Men) Harris who may prove to be Holme’s equal—or possibly even better!
What we’ve got in SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS is an action-mystery murder story of immense proportions, with evil leading Holmes to track the clues from an underground gentleman’s club across the European continent, from England to France, Germany and finally Switzerland. All the while as Dr. Watson is tying the knot with his fiance played by Kelly Reilley with Moriarty always keeping a step ahead of the game while spinning a web of death and destruction.
A game–no make that a plan–that could change the course of history.
Did I ‘get’ everything right from the start? Not really. It took me a while. But once into it I was fully emerged.
I could’ve done with a little less of Guy Ritchie’s heavily stylized slow-mo and/or stop-motion action and fight scenes. And some of Hans Zimmer’s over-the-top musical score coupled with bombastic sets of explosions seemed a bit much at times.
But all in made for a 2 hour and 9 minute long action-mystery of fun escapades, distractions and frantic pacing.
As to the final payoff in SHERL
OCK HOMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS, I must admit that I never saw it coming.
I’m raising 3-1/2 out of 5 fingers in tribute to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
JACK GOES TO THE MOVIES: Friday morning’s at 6:40 a.m. on NewsRadio KMBZ Am & Fm and at 8:20 a.m. on 1660 RADIO BACH. Also anytime on Time-Warner Cable’s K.C. ON DEMAND. Channel 411.
I liked Basil Rathbone better.
The last Sherlock Holmes movie was like a Buddy Cop movie.
The very best Sherlock Holmes, imo, for what its worth, was Jeremy Brett. The man can’t sleep, has problems with coke, never gets laid, doesn’t suffer fools, is hyperactive, wolfs his food, wears stupid clothes, can’t hold a tune…, oh shit…, ……*slapping my forhead hard*