Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows Review

• 13th Dec 2011

Robert Downey Jr. And Jude Law return as the eponymous heroes in this second outing for the Sherlock Holmes franchise. Guy Ritchie is on the reigns again and brings is a film that has an almost identical tone to the first film.

There is then good news and bad news in this respect. The good is that the comedy, performances and action are all fun to watch. The bad news is that sometimes style overtakes the substance for the sake of it. But then if you are familiar with Guy Ritchie’s dirty slow-mo, then you’d half expect it.

Beyond this – the film it has to be said has made an effort to improve the relationship between the Good Doctor and his friend; as well as introduce us to a villain worthy of the our central detective. The key casting of Jared Harris (who has been around forever is some very impressive character work) really pays off. There have been big names such as Day-Lewis and Brad Pitt attached to the name in rumour (both of which would have been great choices) but Harris really brings anonymity to the role. The confrontations between Moriarty and Holmes are a highlight for the film as they battle back and forth. In his haste we even find Holmes making drastic errors in his pursuit of his nemesis.

Holmes is already in full pursuit of Moriarty as the film begins and sadly has to drag Watson back on the case as they head across country, over to Europe and hop from one location to the next; doing their best to avert all sorts of disaster.

Also joining the cast are the likes of Noomi Rapace, playing a gipsy and Stephen Fry (in all his naked glory at one moment) as Holmes’ older brother Mycroft. The tomfoolery, antics and comedic beats are perhaps all best served in the first half of the film as our two protagonists bicker their way from one venue to another. And it is this central pairing that really does make these films work. Downey Jr. may have the titular character and be quiet flamboyant; but Law is a perfect match for him as Watson. Watching the two of them irritate each other in one moment and then work in perfect tandem in the next is the definition of perfect chemistry between actors. And for anyone looking for homo-eroticism subtext; well we do get them laying on top of each other with Holmes dressed in drag at one point.

Sherlock Holmes then it would seem is at the height of popularity again. Blessed we are truly that we can such a fun and engaging Hollywood franchise, and a clever television adaptation at the same time. Holmes has never had it so good.

Steven Hurst