Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows ****

The new Sherlock Holmes sequel is bigger, more complicated, and much more of an action fest than the original. Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) ties a series of bombings to Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris), his most diabolical rival who even Holmes struggles to keep up with. He and his trusty companion Doctor Watson (Jude Law) set off on their newest escapade, which takes them to France, Germany and Switzerland. Along the way, they come across a Gypsy named Simza (Noomi Rapace) who may hold the secret to solving the case.

I found the new film engaging and, as a huge Arthur Conan Doyle fan, very satisfying. The plot is based loosely on one of Conan’s Doyle’s short stories: “The Final Problem.” I don’t want to give anything away, but the movie contains one of the most iconic scenes in the Holmes literature which caused quite an uproar from fans when it first appeared. I even recognized some direct quotes from the text.

Downey Jr. and Law continue the same humorous relationship as Holmes tries to accept Watson’s fast approaching marriage. This keeps the film light-hearted, despite several violent scenes. Professor Moriarty is a much better villain than Mark Strong’s Lord Blackwood from the first film. Jared Harris manages to be both gentle and menacing at the same time. Noomi Rapace as the Gypsy girl disappointed me. She doesn’t get to say many good lines and her performance is sadly forgettable.

My principal complaint with this sequel is its surfeit of slow-motion action scenes. I like the new approach on Sherlock Holmes that shows the physical “apprehending of criminals,” as Watson calls the action scenes, but director Guy Ritchie definitely overstepped the balance he found in the first film of old-fashioned detective work and high-octane action sequences. The action slows the movie down and distracts from the plot.

Nonetheless, despite its flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel. It’s a fun adventure romp that keeps elements from Conan Doyle’s masterpieces while still finding a life of its own. I recommend this film to everyone looking for a fun holiday film. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is an enjoyable movie for teenagers and adults. If you didn’t see the first Sherlock Holmes, watch it to gain important context. And if you really like these films, consider reading the books!

Rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action and drug related material.

Reviewed by Clara Sofia