[8.00/10] Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

Sherlock Holmes:
A Game of Shadows (2011)

Brief review: One of the most controversial UK directors, Guy Ritchie, is back behind the camera to provide us with more Sherlock Holmes awesomeness on steroids, in this well-made and highly entertaining sequel to the 2009 original. Not sure if it's because of the new writers or Ritchie's progressively excessive imagination, but "A Game of Shadows" is absolutely on-par, if not better, than the first movie. The story is well-paced, engaging and full of hidden clues, and Ritchie's direction is as unpredictable as it's versatile. During the spectacular and literally explosive action scenes, he alternates cool and innovative slow-mo with dynamic camera work, quick cuts and zooms to make them a feast for the eyes, while during the dialogue-driven sequences, he compensates the lack of action with witty verbal duels, clever jokes and hilarious situations. Visually, "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" never fails to impress. The settings are grim, yet stylishly authentic, and the smokey cinematography creates a specific mood and atmosphere that suits well the shadowy, mysterious tone of the film. Robert Downey Jr.'s one again inhabits his charmingly eccentric character, Homes, Jude Law is incredibly likable as Watson and the well-cast Jared Harris turns in an interesting villain, but the special ingredient here is 'the girl with the dragon tattoo', Roomi Rapace, as the pretty gypsy fortuneteller.

Overall summary: Intriguingly mysterious, magnificently witty, visually-stylish, and packed with stupendous action scenes, "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" is even slightly superior to its fabulous predecessor, which automatically means it's one helluva fun cinematic ride.