Don't Think About Batman, Don't Think About Batman...

So, I finally saw Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows over the weekend. After organizing to go see it with friends, all the stars aligned, plans were made and good times were had by all.

But you don't want to read about that. No, you want to know my thoughts on the movie (well, I assume that's the reason you're here. If you came here by accident, I apologize for boring you and leave you to go on your way). And while I was going to watch a couple more new releases before I got to this movie, as it turns out, one didn't show up at my local cinema and the other is only playing in the evenings, which is when I'm sleeping before I work (midnight starts, in case you were wondering), so they've been postponed for the moment, until I get a night off and possibly see the one in the evening or DVD release.
Alright, let's get started. You may recall a little while ago, I did a blog on the first Sherlock Holmes film, as I had rewatched it in anticipation for the sequel, and complimented the acting and having Sherlock be more action-orientated. Well, lets see if A Game Of Shadows can expand on that.

Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) is doing his best to thwart the plans of Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris) but finds himself being outmaneuvered at every turn. But with attempts being made on the lives of his faithful-yet-snarky companion Dr. Watson (Jude Law), the good doctor's blushing new bride, Mary (Kelly Reilly) and Simza (Noomi Rapace), a woman targeted because her brother works for Moirarty, the game just became more serious and Sherlock must use all his wits to overcome the evil machinations of the man he dubs “the Napoleon of crime”.

Now, much as I hate to compare it to something Batman related (and yes, obviously I acknowledge that without Sherlock, Batman would have turned out drastically different), A Game Of Shadows reminds me of The Dark Knight, in the sense that the arch nemesis was saved for the sequel and hinted at with the ending of the first film. This was a great move, as it increases the tension and it allows the hero to establish themselves before taking on a greater threat, thus making the antagonist that much more impressive when they lock horns and adds an air of credibility (though unlike The Dark Knight, Sherlock had already been operating before the events of the first movie, though the film is our first to see how the Sherlock of this universe operates). Jared and Robert play off each other well, with neither one disrespecting the other, both in-character and as actors. Jared manages to be menacing while remaining calm and relatively sociable, rarely if ever raising his voice.
And he has own aide in Col. Sebastian Moran (Paul Anderson), who serves as a foil for Watson in his own way, both men being members of the army, though Moran was dishonourably discharged and became a mercenary for hire. Paul Anderson is great and I'm really hoping we haven't seen the last of Moran in this series.

If Jared and Paul were great additions in a villainous capacity, then Stephen Fry is a huge bonus for the heroic side. He's dry and witty, much like Stephen Fry offscreen. I imagine that in playing Mycroft Holmes, all Stephen has to do is put on clothes from a different era and he's good to go. Like Paul, I'm hoping for a return in future installments.

Much like the previous film, Robert and Jude were great and further developed their love-hate relationship onscreen, mostly based on Sherlock's interference in Watson's honeymoon (and seriously, don't hurt his wife or else your neck will suddenly have hands around it) and have great banter between them. Bickering like an old married couple, as the saying goes.

Noomi Rapace was certainly interesting. This is the first role I've seen her in (she'd be best known for originating the role of Lisbeth Salander in the original adaptations of the Millennium Trilogy, which I actually picked up before seeing the movie. Funny how these things work out) and I think she did pretty good. The character is impressive with her knives and I'm glad they didn't force a romance between her and Sherlock, but made her almost like a second sidekick, like Sherlock is The Doctor.

Wait... that would make sense, Moriarty does look like a form the Master would take. His plan is something the Master would instigate, given the time period. Sherlock is almost always right, has amazing abilities, has a companion, has eccentricities and quirks, survives the impossible time and time again, remains cool under pressure... maybe Sherlock IS The Doctor? Hmm. Must investigate further.

But seriously, she is a nice addition and isn't just slotted in to replace the void left by Rachel McAdams, who does appear in this, albeit briefly, but makes good use of the time she has.

Much like the previous film, the action is fast-paced and frantic. Good ol' fisticuffs, with some gunplay in the second half (and a cannon. Yeah, that scene is frickin' sweet) and Holmes once again narrating his moves internally (and he's not the only one...) makes for some interesting fight choreography. His timing is impeccable and his deductive skills while fighting remain ever sharp, noticing weakness he can exploit (like Batman! Damn it, I promised myself I wasn't going to do too many comparisons to Batman).

The dialogue too is as sharp as to be expected, with the mind games between Moriarty and Holmes the highlights. Dialogue is even lifted from the Holmes story The Final Problem, the story that first introduced Moriarty and thus, one of fiction's earliest supervillains was born. And the finale, without spoilers, also refers to that story.

There's really not much, if anything, to fault here. Guy Ritchie's done another solid film, with an excellent cast and crew. We may have to wait a while for the next one (and even longer for The Real Rock'N'Rolla, unfortunately) as Guy is possibly preparing to do his own take on The Man From U.N.C.L.E but I'm a (mostly) patient man. As for this film, a solid 4/5.