'Sherlock Holmes 2' Is Fun, Justified Mayhem
Posted by Daniel Antolin on Dec 17, 2011 - 2:44:47 AM
"Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" poster courtesy of Warner Bros.
HOLLYWOOD—"Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows," like its predecessor, stands in contrast not only to the superficial marketing machine partly responsible for its mainstream success, but is a fun, thinking man's film that fleshes out its source material and puts more serious films in the action genre to shame. Truly a diamond in the rough of watered-down, incessantly cheerful holiday films that comes around only once in a while.
Clocking in at about two hours, "A Game of Shadows" follows Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) as he becomes increasingly obsessed with deciphering and stopping the vast criminal plot of Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris) that was slightly touched on in the first film. Curbing his obsession is Dr. John Watson (Jude Law), who continues to try to leave his former colleague to pursue a life of marital bliss but inevitably ends up in the crosshairs of Moriarty's lackeys, who are involved in creating explosive, machine gun-laden chaos in England, France, Germany and Switzerland. The sister (Noomi Rapace) of one of Moriarty's pawns draws Holmes into a game of wits with the professor.
As in the previous film, the dialogue is as well-crafted and intricate in nature as the primary antagonist's sinister plot, which challenges Holmes on an equal level. One difference being that Moriarty's scheme involves more layers of deception than that of Lord Blackwood, whose aim was to project power he did not possess. Whereas Moriarty works behind the scenes and wields a great deal of influence throughout the world driven by what Holmes characterizes as "insane morality," but with a more practical objective that makes this opponent more dangerous.
Sherlock Holmes (Downey), Professor Moriarty (Harris). Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.
Moriarty in this film as in many depictions is a brilliant man of sufficient means who has already earned an esteemed reputation as a professor, yet craves more clout. Director Guy Ritchie's choice of Jared Harris, not of a more established English
actor such as Ralph Fiennes, for the character allows the actor to make the
role uniquely his own. Harris as Holme's famed nemesis, written to complement the character introduced in Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Final Problem," fleshes him out as someone who has far since moved beyond the need to draw attention to his schemes in order to gratify his ego ala Holmes, willing to bide his time and practice prudence.
With this demeanor, not to mention the character's motivation, Harris gives Moriarty more dimensions than he has had in previous cinematic depictions. On his own, he makes the professor and his criminal pawns more menacing than Quantum, the new version of the SPECTRE terrorism organization feebly introduced in the last James Bond film. Someone should be taking notes.
This says a lot about a film franchise that based on Warner Bros. marketing seems aimed at showcasing Downey's vivacious charm as an actor, and he continues to serve this role as only he can. Warner Bros. has clearly relearned the lesson it did with the first mostly abysmal Batman franchise, and that was forgot with "Green Lantern," which is to keep its distance from the storytelling process.
The film is surprisingly dark, appropriately balanced by humor with a few convincing scenes showing that Holmes and Watson truly care for each other. If anything, the trailer depended on showing Downey dressed as a woman because it was a scene with the most mass appeal to put butts in seats. The rest of the story, as Holmes would say, is most engaging.
Madam Sizma Heron (Rapace), Holmes (Downey), Watson (Law). Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.
There is plenty of action. Do not be discouraged by the detractors who will say that they prefer the more reserved, professorial detective of past films. Yes, these depictions of the character were entertaining in their own way, but J.J. Abrams proved with his version "Star Trek" that old ideas can be reinvigorated with a little more physicality. Not only that, but Doyle wrote in his novels that Holmes was a formidable bare knuckle fighter, so this film version is more true to the source material than others.
What is somewhat problematic, as was an issue in the first film, is the almost undecipherable English-influenced terms and soft-spoken tone between Holmes and Watson, though it adds some charm and complements the chemistry between the two actors. Call to mind, "The game's afoot; Follow your spirit: and upon this charge, Cry — God for Harry! England and Saint George!"
Moviegoers also must pay close attention and keep bathroom breaks to a minimum to catch all the plot points that justify each action sequence. But even this enhances "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows," arguably one of the best films of 2011.
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