“It is deliciously complicated”, muses Robert Downey Jr’s sleuth whilst elucidating a cunning plot development mid film. The same could be said about Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Guy Ritchie’s sequel to the sleeper hit of 2009, an enjoyable action romp frequently marred by lengthy chunks of over exposition. A bit of a contradiction though, for a film based on fiction’s greatest detective.
Shadows sees Sherlock Holmes investigate a series of bombings across mainland Europe, leading him to suspect the renowned Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris), a man as brilliant as he is ruthless. Along the way Holmes enlists the help of mysterious gypsy girl Sim (Noomi Rapace), who may be an integral part in undoing Moriarty’s terrorist plans, and the ever reliable Dr. Watson (Jude Law), who would rather be enjoying his honeymoon in Brighton.
Perhaps the biggest problem with Ritchie’s movies is how far they depart from the source material. Take Robert Downey Jr. for example, who plays Sherlock as Jack Sparrow: brilliant, foolish, charming and outlandish all at once. It is an affable performance that will win audiences over, but leave purists unimpressed and immensely frustrated at how Holmes’ genius is used less to detect clues at the scene of a crime and instead more often employed to predict the outcome of intricate combat sequences. A less charitable critic might argue that Conan Doyle’s work has been given the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen treatment, and anyone who has seen Steve Norrington’s film will know that is not a compliment.
But look past the alterations in tone and character and you’ll see there is a lot to love about A Game of Shadows. The chemistry between Law and Downey Jr. is worth the price of the ticket alone, as the two chums bicker and banter like an old married couple even during the most unusual of scenarios (Watson being caught between Holmes’ thighs whilst in a drag is a sight to behold). Jared Harris is suitably malicious as Moriarty, although he is far from being the menacing figure cloaked in shadows that the posters initially made him out to be. Sadly, Noomi Rapace’s gypsy feels like an afterthought, as she is given very little to do other than adorn the screen in exotic garb.
If anything, the Sherlock Holmes films serve as proof that Guy Ritchie, who has always operated better in his comfort zone made up of Brit mobster flicks, is perfectly capable of handling a big budget franchise. He may have a mild case of the Snyder (too much slow-mo can inadvertently kill an action scene), but should also be commended for delivering a climax that is both visually inventive and highly intellectual in its nature. Now that’s the sort of finale even Conan Doyle would approve.
3/5
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