Since his birth in 1887, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes has been re-imagined several times in various forms of media. In recent times, the eccentric detective has been portrayed brilliantly by Benedict Cumberbatch in BBC’s hit TV series Sherlock. However, the definitive version of this generation may perhaps be Robert Downey Jr’s personification of the titular character in 2009’s Sherlock Holmes. That film ended tantalisingly too, with the introduction of Holmes’ greatest foe seemingly imminent. Director Guy Ritchie has teamed up with Downey once again for the follow up, A Game of Shadows. Does Holmes 2.0 improve on the ’09 hit? Check out my spoiler-free review after the cut.
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The narrative picks up months after the events of the first film, with Watson returning to find an obsessive Holmes on the trail of James Moriarty, whose existence was revealed to him at the end of their last adventure. Together they embark on a globetrotting mission to stop Moriarty before he destroys Western Civilisation. As Holmes casually remarks at one point, ‘No pressure’.
As often happens in a sequel, many of the core elements from the first film have been augmented. Holmes’ disguises are more outrageous, his deductions even more complex, and his friendship with Watson is stretched to new levels. Furthermore, the return of Holmes’ split second mental strategizing – dubbed Holmes-o-Vision by Ritchie – is a welcome one, and watching the subsequent events unfold is still fun to watch. The major difference between the two films is the presence of Moriarty, played brilliantly by a flawless Jared Harris, and throughout he proves that he is a worthy adversary for Holmes. The mental and verbal jousting between these two characters is phenomenal, and every scene that they share together is a standout. The action isn’t bad either, with entertaining set pieces on a train and in the woods, the latter scene making fantastic use of slow-motion. Additionally, A Game of Shadows will have you simultaneously laughing and clapping with its superb ending.
Robert Downey Jr. is on top form once again as the infamous detective, and it’s difficult to imagine anyone else playing this incarnation of Sherlock Holmes. Jude Law also proves that he’s in tune with his character with a fantastic turn as Watson, who is torn between helping his friend and living the quiet life. With these two characters taking up much of the screen time, it’s a challenge for newcomer Noomi Rapace – who plays a gypsy named Sim – to shine. Unfortunately, she seldom gets a chance to do so, and she’s not the only one; characters such as Inspector Lestrade and Irene Adler have substantially marginalised roles in comparison to the first film. Aside from Jared Harris, the strongest addition to the cast is undoubtedly Stephen Fry as Sherlock’s brother Mycroft, and his scenes are sure to derive more than a few laughs from audiences.
‘Any Last Words?’ A spellbinding tale with equal elements of comedy, action and smartness. If you liked the first one, you’re going to love this. Bring on number 3, Mr Holmes.
= VERY GOOD – Gets a lot right, but there’s room for improvement
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows was screened at the Empire Leicester Square courtesy of Warner. Bros Pictures in partnership with Substance PR.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows stars Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Jared Harris, Stephen Fry, Rachel McAdams & Noomi Rapace and will be released today.
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