Central City Comics Blog: Comics Talk

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson join forces to outwit and bring down their fiercest adversary, Professor Moriarty. Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) has always been the smartest man in the room…well not any more. There is a new criminal mastermind at large-Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris)-and not only is he Holmes’ intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may actually give him an advantage over the renowned detective.

This movie is directed in a way that shows the thinking patterns of Sherlock Holmes a brilliant mind that considers all contingencies,  until now. Professor Moriarty wonderfully played by Jared Harris really puts to test his deductive abilities. Moriarty always seems to be a step ahead of Holmes. I mean Sherlock Holmes for there is another Holmes in the movie his brother Mycroft Holmes played by Stephen Fry who plays a key role in the course of the movie.

Swedish actress Noomi Rapace plays Madam Simza Heron a gipsy fortune teller who’s brother also plays a key role in the movie. Madam Simza becomes Holmes reluctant guide across Europe chasing down the evil plots of Moriarty. The trek reveals an international plot to start a Major war with Moriarty benefiting in power and wealth. The key objective of our comrades is to stay alive a hard thing to do against Moriarty and his cohorts.

And of course there is Dr. John Watson who is superbly played by Jude Law. After the attack against his new wife now Mary Watson played by Kelly Reilly Dr. Watson joins Holmes in what he says is his last case with the detective.  The inter reaction between these two is both comic relief and entertaining. They complement each other and Watson makes Holmes a better detective.  A movie I am sure I will have to watch again to get all the action and dialog between these two.

Considering the story and acting plus the  Direction of Guy Ritchie this is probably a better movie than the first, truly an enjoyable movie experience.  Out of 5 stars I give it 4. Definitely on my recommend list for watching.  See you at the movies and stay tuned movie faithful for more. Walt