Monday, January 09, 2012

SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS



Directed by: Guy Ritchie
Run time: 129 min

Thank God this sequel doesn't have number '2' in it but goes for longer title instead. I do not set my expectation high for sequels since it tends to just bring you more superlatives. But I can say that I am entertained. Bringing back the super duo of Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr) and James Watson (Jude Law) from the first film, the chemistry is still intact. If you have seen the first film this one dealing with James Moriarty, (Lex Luthor of Sherlock universe, well acted by Jared Harris) and watching the first one is something you can do to add knowledge although not necessary.

The year is 1891 and World War I is still far away but you can smell the embryo of it as it is being fueled by Moriarty himself. He even, in one scene, predicts that even Sherlock cannot stop the suppressed need of the nations in Europe for a conflict. Well we all know world war I is inevitable somehow.

Unlike most criminals, Moriarty is not a big mafia boss but an university professor making genius plot to put European nations head to head in a world war so his weapon industry could profit from it.

This time less bromance element and more to Sherlock's deduction plus pre-visualization skill. The slow motion scene is awesome and glossy, Zach Snyder better watch out, Ritchie can hold your breath for these scenes only.

Sadly Irene Adler's  (Rachel McAdams) screen time is too brief and the woman role taken by Simza (Noomi Rapace) as the kick-ass gypsy lady. The first half deal with how the special effect helps the story and the last half is about battle of wits between Sherlock and Moriarty. The fights are amazing and the change in setting (not only in England but also Paris and Switzerland) is visually refreshing. Ritchie has managed to breathe new air for this franchise by not dwelling too much on bromance but focusing on the investigation.

However the BBC miniseries is better, in terms of story and wits, but it doesn't make this one disappointing since each has its own pros and cons.

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