*Feature Presentation* Movie Review: "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" (2011)

Guy Ritchie (director of the first film) really takes this film and story to a whole new level. Complete with action, drama, turns and unexpected surprises - this film has action, adventure and humor mixed with a great mystery story and a very cool villain!

Robert Downey, Jr. (`Iron Man', Chaplin') and Jude Law (`Alfie', `RepoMen') are back again - as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson who through a series of `mis-haps' are drawn together the week of the good doctor's wedding to his lovely wife, Irene. The story then becomes clear that someone is basically `toying' with Holmes and murdering for a devious scheme that he cannot seem clear to figure out. Rachel McAdams reprises her role from the previous film as Holmes's "love" interest (if you call setting Holmes up to be attacked by four rough thugs a thing a love interest would do). In a limited cameo that ends up being a pivotal and emotional turn for Holmes.




He realizes that it turns out to be the plans of his mortal enemy Dr. James Moriarty (Played brilliantly by Jarred Harris of `Fringe', "Mad men'). From that moment on the movie is about clues, mysteries and unexplained deaths that lead Watson and Holmes around the world to discover Moriarty's true objective!


The music of the film is intense and visceral as well as the fighting sequences. The style is the same of the first film in that Holmes can see events as they `should' happen given the circumstances surrounding him. Using `bullet time' type photography and editing (more sophisticated than used originally in `The Matrix'), the action sequences are mind-blowing. They are detailed and make Downey, Jr. look like a real super hero (And he doesn't need that palladium-using arc reactor in his chest to do so either!) . The wittiness of Holmes and Watson as a team to literally solve and conquer most obstacles and move past the ones they can't is invigorating. 

There are other rich performances by Noomie Repace (Swedish version of 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo') as a gypsy card reader and the reason the entire story begins - not to underplay one of the funniest characters - Holmes's very own brother Mycroft Holmes (played by Stephen Fry `Aice in Wonderland', `Bones') who seems to be the only person who actually understand Sherlock and his mind. (To some degree that is.)









There are some great dialogue scenes with Moriarty and Holmes bantering their both self-proclaimed genius on their individual demises is some of the cleverest dialogue I have seen in a while. The best part is you always get to `see' what Holmes is thinking as he verbalizes it in his head. That's a credit to director Ritchie for letting the audience know what goes on in Sherlock Holmes' head.


Just a great fun adventure, with action and with an amazing story and great performances by all its lead actors coupled with a great score and a mystery that will surprise you till the very end that leaves you applauding as some of us did .. Family fun for the entire age range of viewers! Don't miss this one! And as Holmes himself questions in the final scene...The End? If rumors that the next film will have Holmes going up against Jack the Ripper are true...Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson will return and I for one...welcome it! 

Thanks to my nephew Richard for his heartfelt opinion on this amazing film. 


The Cinema Balcony Rating: 4 Tubs of Hot Buttery Popcorn w/ Lg Cherry Coke

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