Reviewed by Danny the Demented
Updated 26 December 2011
It's always quite awkward to write a review for a movie that is neither good nor bad. It's like asking me to judge water: it doesn't piss me off when drinking it, but I am also not going bunkers afterward either. It's a popcorn movie and that is not necessarily a bad thing.
Robert Downey Jr. and Jude "Nanny Killer" Law return as the crime-solving duo in A Game of Shadows, the second installment of director Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes franchise. Following the conclusion of the first film, Mr. Holmes and Dr. Watson go on to battle the criminal mastermind known as Professor Moriarty to save western civilization from falling apart. Not only is Moriarty as cunning as Holmes, but he also has a sidekick in Sebastian Moran (Paul Anderson) who matches Holmes' faithful companion Dr. John Watson in loyalty and surpasses him in marksmanship. Oh and in between all the chaos, a wedding, some gypsies, and lots of slow-motion explosion and fight scenes; fun for the whole family.
This really isn't a bad movie at all but with a subject as interesting as Sherlock Holmes, it is not nearly as good as it can and should be. Mr. Ritchie has proven himself to be quite a writer (Snatch and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, not Swept Away, sorry Madonna, now go lift some more weight and pump those biceps of yours you scary lady), but instead of the witty-gangster-type dialogues and dynamics I know he is capable of doing, he chose the conventional BLOW STUFF UP IN SLOW MOTION route. Disappointing, but not unexpected (from the Merovingian in Matrix Reloaded. Yes I am a nerd, thank you Captain Obvious). I mean, at the end of the day, the conventional route guarantees viewership and Ritchie did a fine job with it, telling the story with no real holes, so who am I to complain? Mediocrity does not suck, but it is still just mediocre, nothing more.
Robert Downey "Iron Man" Jr. is absolutely delightful to watch. Few actors bring such life and energy to the cinematic experience and he is one of the best. Jude Law, though not a faithful companion in real life (Sienna Miller nodding solemnly), is a very loyal and dashing Dr. Watson. The one casting I had problem with is the villain, Prof. Moriarty. Jared Harris does an ok job but for someone who is supposedly as much a genius as Holmes. Harris just doesn’t bring enough credential or charisma to match that of Mr. Downey's. Perhaps Gary Oldman would've been better?......nay, Gary Oldman WOULD'VE been better. That guy can walk on water. OK maybe not but still.
Grab a bucket of popcorn, don't expect a masterpiece, and you will have a good time at this movie. You are not going to see any real impressive plot twists or shocking revelations like you may in the novel, but the fist-fights and the gun powders will keep you entertained. My name is Danny and I endorse this message.
This really isn't a bad movie at all but with a subject as interesting as Sherlock Holmes, it is not nearly as good as it can and should be. Mr. Ritchie has proven himself to be quite a writer (Snatch and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, not Swept Away, sorry Madonna, now go lift some more weight and pump those biceps of yours you scary lady), but instead of the witty-gangster-type dialogues and dynamics I know he is capable of doing, he chose the conventional BLOW STUFF UP IN SLOW MOTION route. Disappointing, but not unexpected (from the Merovingian in Matrix Reloaded. Yes I am a nerd, thank you Captain Obvious). I mean, at the end of the day, the conventional route guarantees viewership and Ritchie did a fine job with it, telling the story with no real holes, so who am I to complain? Mediocrity does not suck, but it is still just mediocre, nothing more.
Robert Downey "Iron Man" Jr. is absolutely delightful to watch. Few actors bring such life and energy to the cinematic experience and he is one of the best. Jude Law, though not a faithful companion in real life (Sienna Miller nodding solemnly), is a very loyal and dashing Dr. Watson. The one casting I had problem with is the villain, Prof. Moriarty. Jared Harris does an ok job but for someone who is supposedly as much a genius as Holmes. Harris just doesn’t bring enough credential or charisma to match that of Mr. Downey's. Perhaps Gary Oldman would've been better?......nay, Gary Oldman WOULD'VE been better. That guy can walk on water. OK maybe not but still.
Grab a bucket of popcorn, don't expect a masterpiece, and you will have a good time at this movie. You are not going to see any real impressive plot twists or shocking revelations like you may in the novel, but the fist-fights and the gun powders will keep you entertained. My name is Danny and I endorse this message.
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