Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

A review by PreTitlesSequence

The sequel to the hit 2009 film; Sherlock Holmes - Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows- a version of the Sherlock Holmes stories, starring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law was released this December, and on December 27, I saw it at the cinema/theater.

In A Game of Shadows, Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson join forces to outwit Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris), and prevent Moriarty from starting a world war. 

Having not seen the first film, the first 15 minutes confused me a little, since characters from the first film were used, without explanation. However, from there on, I really enjoyed the film. There was plenty of action (a bit like a Victorian James Bond), with a couple of great set-pieces (one on a train, one in a forest.) The acting standard was generally very good, with Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law impressing as Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson respectively. Jared Harris, who plays Moriarty, and Stephen Fry, who plays Mycroft Holmes, were both excellent. Noomi Rapace as gypsy Simza was a bit bland however - more a fault of the script than the performance. 

The film was based on the Sherlock Holmes story The Final Problem. I won't spoil the ending here, but the ending is very similar to that of the story. The brilliant final scene sets up Sherlock Holmes 3 perfectly - the final shot is the words 'The End?' on a typewriter...

I would recommend A Game of Shadows for its impressive action and great acting - but it's not perfect.