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| Victorious Victorians! Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law return as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson in SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS. Images: WARNER BROTHERS. |
SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS
Out now on Triple Play Blu-ray, DVD and Ultra Violet Digital Copy
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace and Jared Harris
Directed by Guy Ritchie
Released by WARNER BROTHERS DVD
Reviewed by Scott Weller
A battle of wits, of move and counter move, and a true game of shadows emerges for our long enduring hero of deduction and super-intelligence, Sherlock Holmes, originally created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and now breathed life into in his big-screen persona by the always amiable, played just this right side of all-knowing energetic charisma by the enthusiastic and crowd pleasing Robert Downey Jr., who takes the original version of the character and gives it a kind of shake-up experimentation that has proven to be cinematic gold, ably assisted by tweed suited Brit thesp Jude Law as Holmes best and really only loyal friend, the equally unique and stalwart Doctor John Watson, resisting the on-the-brink-of-insanity/genius of his comrade and often bringing him back to a much needed state of humanity after nefarious predilections for danger and excitement have passed. The character of Watson has now never been more important to Homes and viewers, and light years removed from the way that the role was perceived in a once traditional period as a lovable oaf/bumbling fool in earlier B/W incarnations.
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| Holmes and Watson are on the trail of a master criminal... |
He previously had to contend with supernatural high jinx, with Mark Jones mysterious, seemingly death resistant gentleman of evil-like a Dracula without fangs- but now Holmes goes one step further in his criminal takedown: in pursuit of the true mastermind-“the Napoleon of Crime”- ultimately behind the first films insidious plot: a certain cane wielding gentleman named Moriarty…
Together against a formidable set of circumstances that will challenge and force them into the greatest of dangers, Holmes and Watson are caught in the deadliest of traps that will take them from their London comfort zone through to the cannon blasted trees of Germany and into Switzerland, for a dangerous new spin of the now infamous end to the literary Sherlock Holmes at the perilous precipice of the Reichenbach Falls. But can anyone really keep a good detective dead for too long? Certainly, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle couldn’t in the 1800’s: unable to escape the publics insatiable demand for the character and his adventures, and nether can the modern day film studios, whose box office receipts help keep them alive and well! God Bless You, Sherlock Holmes!
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| Trouble at a peace conference for Holmes and Madame Simza (Noomi Rapace) |
Alongside our heroes, to both help and hinder, is a finely chosen international cast of the most hip ‘modern’ acting talent. Reaping the rewards of her critical and audience success as the gutsy and determined punk heroine, Lisbeth Salander, of Stieg Larsson’s gripping MILLENNIUM trilogy film adaptations, Swedish actress Noomi Rapace brings an intriguing air of mystery and quirky kookiness, along with a healthy dose of European attitude, in her supporting turn as the Gypsy Madame Simza, whom we first see as a fortuneteller in the seediest depths of London’s decadent Diogenes Club, though sadly she doesn’t have as much to do as I would have liked by film’s end, the part seemingly evaporating as it nears critical mass.
Completing the world of glamorous ladies present in the sequel, there’s also a brief cameo from Rachel McAdams as “the woman,” Irene Adler, whose intelligence and fortitude make her an individual of her gender beyond and belying of her times, after an equally enjoyable first appearance in the original 2009 movie, and who enjoys character dancing rings around the playful and admiring Sherlock, and a person almost his equal. But will her fortitude and strong will be enough to resist even Moriarty’s dangerous enterprises?
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| Captured by the "Napoleon of Crime", Moriarty (Jared Harris) |
They say a hero is only as good as the opponent who challenges him and Jared Harris, as the films all-important villain, the equally iconic, darker flip side antagonist to Holmes: the black hearted opportunist of similarly keen intellectual prowess criminal mastermind, James Moriarty, is deliciously controlled, and quietly sadistic, giving the film’s heart a deliciously evil performance, making an impressive first appearance in Adler’s favourite safe house restaurant. Already adept at playing complex nasty’s, as seen with his work in the cult hit TV series FRINGE, Harris gives the material a bit of quality edge alongside the required cold-hearted villainy necessary to keep the film on course for a very satisfying conclusion and confrontation between two intellectual opposites, each desperately trying to outthink one another to their destruction.
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| Sherlock's just hanging around! |
Better than anyone ever really expected it to be, the previous first film- SHERLOCK HOLMES-proved a resounding and delightful success with worldwide audiences, largely due to the performance of Robert Downey Jr., one lucky man who seems to be riding the highs of the Hollywood tropics right now, what with his additional and equally well-deserved success as millionaire industrialist/playboy Tony Stark and his metallic alter-ego of suited superhero Iron Man. A GAME OF SHADOWS continues that happy streak as the actor mixes the drama (Holmes skillful deduction and pitch perfect antagonism towards super-baddies) and the laughs (his newly initiated camouflage abilities and some hideous disguises) with skill. Though, Robert, a note for the next sequel: please don’t ever drag up again-it was waayyy too horrible!
Seemingly at times a suffering partner in crime, Law’s Watson is reluctant to join his friend in his cases due to his impeding nuptials with wife to be, Mary (Kelly Reilly) but soon gets down and dirty with his sleuthing adventurer partner and into the swing of things, as they try their darnedest to prevent the oncoming storm of a World War, whilst Mary herself loses her honeymoon and gets inadvertently involved in the oncoming danger, too, having now accepted the duo’s long-term “bromance” and giving up trying to rein her husband in, or telling Sherlock off for using her husband the way he does.
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| A real cannonball run for our heroes! |
The kind of film that THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMAN could, and should, have been, Michele Mulroney and Kieran Mulroney’s script amps up all the traditional and beloved Conan Doyle trademarks, characters, supporting friends, foes and classic moments for modern audiences to enjoy, and thankfully doesn’t take itself too seriously, either, but to its credit it also retains the necessary dangers and excitement to keep us wanting to find out what happens next between Holmes and Moriarty. In general, the plot is not quite so supernatural this time, with its stylish feet more welcomely grounded, possessing a kind of plausible unreality/reality to it all, perhaps a bit more cerebral, too, if you can call it that amongst all the pyrotechnics, bullet bangs and fist play that occurs every five minutes or so. Overall, it’s a spirited and splendid romp and an all too rare superior sequel, of which director Guy Ritchie gets great results from his aforementioned on-screen Downey/Law partnership, and keeps the visual flourishes afresh and intriguing, with the slow motion and high speed-up sequences of action and forensic flashbacks from the previous all-successful first Holmes movie, that had been so lively and enjoyable, reused to great effect, alongside action sequences and effects both exciting and cool whilst maintaining a consistent high standard.
Aiding Ritchie’s gaslight, garters and gunplay world is some lovely cinematography from Philippe Rousselot evocatively bringing out the Victorian era’s imperfect balance of decadence and poverty, moving into a new era of technology, scientific innovation and dark weaponry, through a nostalgic and relatively believable lens, keeping the tradition of the visual kind that previous Holmes movies liked to create and rely on, if here a little more stylized. Reliable composer Hans Zimmer also returns to his memorable themes of the last film using the unique instruments that keep to the period, alongside a few new additions, that tonally keeps the eardrums happy alongside the eye candy.
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| London's finest: Holmes and Watson. |
On the extras side, the Blu-ray release has enough interactivity to keep the entertainment going long after watching the movie, most notably with the superb Robert Downey Jr. hosted behind the scenes interactive look/commentary for the film. The actors knowledge, charm and humour shine throughout in his role here as visual guardian of the movie, talking informatively and happily about all the kind of behind the scenes anecdotes and information you want to hear, alongside well integrated behind the scenes clips, cast and crew interviews, storyboards and photos as the film plays. It’s another triumph for the film and WARNER HOME VIDEO’s behind the scenes team and perfect complements the on-screen work of 221B Baker Street’s accomplished and indelible hero resident!
Delivering a deftly coordinated punch to the solar plexus of the entertainment bone, SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS is another intriguing variation of the detective legend and a great treat for movie audiences of all ages, which looks absolutely stunning in Blu-ray. It had some knocks from critics with its original theatrical release, but I say balderdash to all that and think it's definitely worth adding to your collection this summer. (And why not read and enjoy the original and wonderful Arthur Conan Doyle stories that inspired it at the same time!)
KOOL TV RATINGS
MOVIE: 8.5 out of 10
BLU-RAY EXTRAS: 8.5 out of 10
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