Movie review: Sherlock Holmes

Boxford Topsfield Middleton —

It opened on Christmas Day and the Sherlock Holmes sequel proves to be quite a gift to moviegoers. In “A Game of Shadows,” Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law return as Holmes and Dr. Watson, carrying on a fine bromance complete with trivial spats, heated arguments, wrestling matches and unwavering loyalty. It’s clear that these two would do anything for each other, including sacrificing their lives.

While there is a mystery afoot in “A Game of Shadows,” the theme of the first Sherlock Holmes movie and its sequel are the same — they both deal with love and loss. Holmes feels great affection for Watson, but the good doctor is about to get married and Holmes is clearly jealous of the bride.

While Watson prepares for his wedding, his best man, Holmes, prepares a wild stag night. Even though it doesn’t go quite as awry as the bachelor party in “The Hangover” it certainly isn’t focused on Watson. Holmes uses the evening’s opportunities to gather more clues to his latest mystery, the diabolical scheme of his arch-nemesis, Professor Moriarty.

Seemingly not quite able to deal with his best friend’s nuptials, Holmes derails the honeymoon — at one point donning a drag ensemble — and throws Watson’s bride from a moving train. While his actions look extreme, the audience trusts that Holmes knows what he’s doing.

Also, Holmes truly loves his on-again, off-again girlfriend, Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) but he faces losing her to the evil clutches of Moriarty, too.

One of the best features of these Sherlock Holmes movies is the use of super slow motion in the middle of hectic, fast-paced scenes. It’s a fascinating juxtaposition of styles and it makes certain sequences absolutely mesmerizing, including one scene in which Holmes, Watson and the band of gypsies they’ve enlisted for help come under fire from Moriarty’s well-armed henchmen. There’s something really satisfying about watching a bullet travel in slow motion and pierce through the jacket of a sprinting Watson.

A new addition to the cast is Stephen Fry as Holmes’ brother, Mycroft. He is a hoot, especially since he prefers to walk around his manor house in the nude. Little surprises like that make this sequel much funnier than the original.

While part of the appeal of these movies is to figure out the mystery, the thing I liked best about this sequel was watching the two delightful characters of Holmes and Watson, inhabited by immensely entertaining actors, have so much fun together onscreen.

What I liked least about the film was the fact that McAdams, who was so well cast in the original and sparred so well with Downey, was only in the film briefly.

As the title states, a game is being played in this plot line. Holmes and Moriarty are engaged in a battle of wits while literally (and figuratively) playing a game of chess. They try to outwit each other by anticipating the other’s moves. But who comes out ahead and wins the game? I’m not telling, but I will say I’m game for a third Sherlock Holmes movie.

Rotten tomatoes : 70% - 227 reviews

IMDB Rating : 7.5/10 - 168,094 votes

Speedpostme : 4/5