Movie Review: "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" (2011)After the immense success of a reinvention of the "Sherlock Holmes" theme created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1931) through Director Guy Ritchie in making it a competing comic book adaptation punisher, where picture, sounds and music comes together in ultra-slow-motion shots generated by an Phantom HD Camera combined with Panavision Primo Lenses in Philipp Rousselot's camera department, which benefits an intriguing, well-twisted, yet sensation-mongering, injuiced with slight humorous slapsticked screenplay by Michele and Kieran Mulroney to challenge any recent fantasy action movie even after six years in the circuit.The cast surrounding Robert Downey Jr., as the street fighting version of an Sherlock Holmes character, with Dr. Watson, portrayed by matchmaking Jude Law to a further benefiting female cast beat challenging actress Rachel McAdams and second sidekicking supporting actress Noomi Rapace as Madame Simzo Heron, hunt to follow spider-web spreading Holmes' nemesis Professor James Moriarty, in viciously venom-breathing intelligence-exceeding performance by actor Jared Harris, even back-shadowing the character of Lord Blackwood by Mark Strong from the initiative "Sherlock Holmes" (2009).Producer Joel Silver, again showing his qualities in letting the director do his thing, overthrew himself with Warner Bros. Studios concerning marketing strategies of this clearly improving picture over the 2009er version in puncto drive, pace and event action for the holiday season escapology theories of U.S. domestic movie-goers, which should have filled more seats worldwide without the inability to place it apart against a raging much more PR-clarified "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol" and the hard-core loving minority at screenings of the English-speaking remake of "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" directed by David Fincher, making the winter 2011/2012 easily the best holiday season of a decade, where quality and daring creative choices on-set ruled a Hollywood production.© 2017 Felix Alexander Dausend (Cinemajesty Entertainments LLC)

I didn't like the first SHERLOCK HOLMES film very much at all, so I had little hope for this sequel. Unfortunately, it's even worse than the original, moving further away from the source material in a bid to deliver big bucks, action packed excitement. Downey Jr. plays Holmes as a superhero type in a Victorian setting, utilising his physical prowess and mental skills in a bid to bring down some typically shadowy villains.First of all, for an action film, the action is very poor. A GAME OF SHADOWS was made during a trend for ultra slow motion in cinema, and the slow motion sequences are ridiculous. I don't know if they're meant to be edge of the seat or exciting, but despite the cutting edge technology they look very fake and the CGI augmentation is all too obvious.Downey Jr.'s acting here is rather pitiful and his Holmes is required to cross dress and do other stuff that's about as far away from the spirit of the literary Holmes as is possible. Jude Law and Jared Harris work hard in support, but Noomi Rapace's fortune teller is out of place and Rachel McAdams remains awful. The worst thing about all this though is the nonsensical script, which turns realistic detective fiction into teen-friendly grandiose fantasy that remains frequently incomprehensible.

As a Holmes fan, I couldn't have asked for a better take on the stories and the character of Holmes & Dr. Watson. Robert Downey Jr & Jude Law make their roles come alive with such élan that you just refuse to believe that anyone else could take on these roles. The only cast member who I felt was out of place was Jared Harris who acted as Professor James Moriarty. Somehow, I felt the role need someone more cold, calm yet menacing, and deep. Holmes' relationship with Watson is highlighted in this film. Their chemistry is hilariously funny as there are a few scenes involving Holmes dressed as a woman that brings the comedy to its peak with the lines "lie with me Watson". The action scenes were awesomely backed by beautiful cinematography. Some of the scenes help build a connection between the character and audience. For instance, when Holmes's sees everything as he says his curse; it engages the viewer on his personal thoughts. The train ride to Watson's honeymoon & the one with face-off between Moriarty & Holmes are my favourites. The movie ends with a hint of the next sequel. It has been some time since the game of shadows has released. I really am looking forward to the next Sherlock Holmes movie in this series.

One of the easiest ways to sum up Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows would be to say, 'If you liked the first one then you'll love this one too.' It's basically more of the same, but if what was done the first time was a winning formula, then who really care? (it worked for Terminator 1-3!).You have more witticisms from Robert Downey Jr as Holmes, more of long-suffering Jude law as Watson and more trendy and stylish slow-mo directing, courtesy of Guy Ritchie. This time round they team up to lock horns with arguably Holmes' most famous villain - Moriarty.You could call it all a re-tread of the first film, but in different locations, but that would probably be overly cynical. It's a new story in itself and, while certain purists complain that it's not completely faithful to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original books, it's got its own charms. It may not be a hundred per cent accurate or believable, but it's basically Hollywood's take on what Sherlock Holmes was and - in my opinion - it's a pretty exciting take. Bring on Holmes III!