Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows [Review]

Bang; boom; KABLAMO - Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows starts as it means to go on. It’s bigger; it’s louder - simply put, it’s the original film turned up to eleven.

That’s not to say this is in most respects a replication of 2009’s Sherlock Holmes. Far from it; while the continuity is, for the most part, there - the style, the cinematography, director Guy Ritchie’s trademark slow-motion - this is an entirely new film, though one that neither surpasses nor falls short of its predecessor.

The film’s new villain is Jared Harris, in the very unshadowy role of Professor Moriarty. Spending most of his time in broad daylight, meeting main man Holmes (Robert Downey Jr. reprising his lead role) on several occasions, Moriarty is thoroughly demystified by the film’s conclusion, though that doesn’t make him any less of a menace. He’s also Holmes’ opposite: where the detective is jittery, impulsive and sporadic, Moriarty is poised, calm and collected.

Moriarty’s dastardly plan sprouts from, unsurprisingly, finance: he attempts to instigate a world war in order to stimulate demand in cotton, guns and other goods - industries the professor has invested in heavily. It’s up to Sherlock to stop him, and once more he enlists the aid of faithful sidekick Dr Watson (Jude Law). Well, maybe enlist is too strong a word - suffice to say it involves an interrupted honeymoon and Watson’s new bride being pushed off a moving train (“DID YOU JUST KILL MY WIFE?”).

On that note, it’s fair to say the humour is still a distinct part of the once again genius script. Penned by Kieran and Michele Mulroney, the insanely logistical and clever screenplay infuses the trademark cocky humour of Downey Jr. that we’ve seen in his previous Holmes outing and recent Iron Man films. But it’s worth noting that things also get a bit darker here - particularly during one of Holmes’ and Moriarty’s skirmishes in Berlin that ends in the famed detective suspended by a meat hook. Not a pretty sight.

Mr Moriarty (Harris) has a less than civil meeting with Mr Holmes (Downey Jr.)

Ritchie’s direction will be familiar to anyone who’s seen his previous work; full of juxtaposed speed or lack thereof, his slow-motion is matched only by his frantic dashes with the camera. It’s all pulled off exquisitely, though, and still feels like a dig at Michael Bay - where the latter catapults everything at us full speed, Ritchie slows the key moments down to a pace where the audience can actually tell what’s going on.

These camera novelties are the Holmes reboot’s primary mechanic, it seems, and are used to much greater extent here than the original - again, it’s the first film turned up to the max. A scene towards the film’s climax displays how Moriarty is more than a match for Holmes, as both play out how a fistfight between them might occur in their minds’ eyes. Elsewhere the script runs anything but clockwork, ticking back and forth to explain previous scenes in flashbacks.

Here’s where I’d really like to say: ‘but it’s an exemplification of the script’s strength that it never jars’. But alas, at times, the flaws are evident. The frantic train scene backtracks more than once, and it’s too much. But the script is otherwise fairly tight, and while the plot won’t make one hundred per cent sense, it’s still enjoyable. And the riff on the title in the climactic game of wits is ingenious.

The film’s structure is good for the most part, even if it is just a collection of set-pieces across Europe, cobbled together in one big continental dash. Sadly, its climax is anything short of fulfilling the build-up, and even feels slightly underwhelming - though, as mentioned previously, its return to a more logical battle is still welcome.

Also welcome is the film’s evident self-mockery - in response to comments on the first film of the subtle homo-eroticism between Law and Downey Jr., A Game of Shadows embraces its protagonists’ bromance to the point where one of them dons full drag as they huddle on the floor of a train compartment.

It’s not all fun and games, though - the supporting characters are all a bit disappointing; a pineapple would have been more convincing than Stephen Fry as Holmes’ brother Mycroft, while female lead Noomi Rapace seems nothing more than an empty plot device. Rachel McAdams returns as Holmes’ female equal, but she’s woefully under-used.

While the parts that make up A Game of Shadows might be inherently similar to those of the original Sherlock Holmes romp, the sum of its parts is a different beast altogether - more action; more locations; more everything. It has its fair share of flaws, but it’s still an enjoyable whirlwind ride across Europe, that’ll keep you hooked right ‘till the very last costume from the classic Master of Disguise.

✰✰✰✰

See also: Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Dir: Guy Ritchie
Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Jared Harris, Rachel McAdams
Warner. Bros Pictures, 129 mins, 16/12/11

Synopsis: A year has passed since the original Sherlock Holmes outing, and Robert Downey Jr.'s erratic detective has one last case (as always). Professor Moriarty is on the scene, and danger isn't far behind...