Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Jared Harris
Director: Guy Ritchie
The first edition had laid the foundation for a sequel and Guy Ritchie was expected to come up with an equally stylish if not a better film. Ritchie's brand of dark comedy, stylishly edited action sequences and witty one liners were also in the mind while watching the film and guess what, Guy Ritchie has done it again.
Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law return as the impeccably imaginative pair of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson. Guy Ritchie has infused some new personality traits in the pair which were not very glaring in the first instalment. Arthur Conan Doyle's characters have been given more human touch. Holmes is no more insensible while talking to the women while Watson has become more vocal and athletic.
The film opens with Watson offering Sherlock the chance to be his best man during his wedding with Mary (Kelly Reilly), but as expected Sherly has other ideas for Watson's honeymoon.
Holmes eccentric bachelor party for Watson turns out to be the beginning of strange events involving a Gypsy woman Madam Simza (Noomi Rapace). However the detective realizes that the scenario is not as simple as it looks. A well intentioned attack leads them to Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris) but the price paid for the clue is extraordinary. Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) gets killed by the professor during the scheme.
The plan gets bigger with the passage of time and Sherlock arrives to the conclusion that the fate of Watson and his newly wed wife lies in his hands, but for this he needs to solve the riddle involving the international arm racketeers.
The action sequences are much more polished than the last time. A lot of thoughts have been given to the detailing. The mind-body coordination of Sherlock Holmes doesn't look mechanical. The penultimate sequence, where Professor Moriarty and Sherlock Holmes read each other's subconscious minds before the actual fighting, is brilliant. Not because it was stating something unusual but due to the sheer grandeur of the root thought behind such fine editing. However slow motion effect appears overused in the latter part.
The production team has done a fantastic job by providing closer to reality outfits without being too eye catchy. The editing simply compliments the story but one thing that needs special mention is the cinematography. To match with Guy Ritchie's style is a tough work in its own but the camera has emerged as another auteur in 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows'.
Jude Law excels as Doctor Watson and proves to be a great counter-match for Robert Downey Jr. His fussy attitude and dilemma to choose in between the friend and the wife is hilarious as well as sympathy generating.
The best thing about the film is that it throws light on Sherlock Holmes older days and tries to touch the coveted side of his heart without being too personal.
Overall the tension in 'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadow' may not make your adrenaline rush but it has the potential to keep you glued to the chair till the end.
A must watch if you are a hardcore Guy Ritchie fan, a good watch if you want a pure entertainer, an average watch if you want to see something new from Guy Ritchie.
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