Review of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011) by Allan C — 10 Mar 2013

I enjoyed Guy Ritchie's first Sherlock Holmes film, but this one really just did not do it for me. This film seems like it was essentially a Masterpiece Theater production made by Joel Silver or Gore Verbinski.

Sure, I wasn't really expecting Conan Doyle's Holmes and the original film was also pretty action heavy, but worst of all, this film failed to let Robert Downey Jr. be the funny, charming oddball that he's done so well in his other in the "Iron Man" and other recent films.

The film also wastes the brilliant Stephen Fry in a small supporting role. However, the action is still exciting and Guy Ritchie does employ his trademark style, which will either delight or annoy depending upon your liking of Ritchie.

I do like Ritchie's style, even if it is getting awfully predictable, but that and the terrific photography and production design make the film worth watching, even if the film overall could have been a whole lot better.