Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2012) PG-13

This inevitable sequel, once again starring Robert Downey Jr. (Due Date, The Soloist) as Sherlock Holmes, certainly has its moments. Practically the entire cast is back for Game of Shadows, and that's good news for all. Guy Ritchie (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch.) is still unpolished as a director in my opinion, but he's found a formula here that works.

This film is certainly not short on laughs, thrills and wit; much like the first film. Sherlock Holmes was a bit of a game-changer in some respects, and Ritchie uses much of the same techniques in this exhilarating sequel. If you missed the first film, then there is no reason to see this film beforehand. That film is thoroughly enjoyable though; so check it out!

A Game of Shadows basically picks up where the first chapter left off. A little time has passed, although we're not sure exactly how much. Dr. Watson (Jude Law) is a mere few days away from his marriage with Mary (Kelly Reilly), and Sherlock is, of course, invited. The film opens with our old pal Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) delivering a package at an auction to a weary, old gentleman. Inside the package is a bomb; she doesn't know that and neither does he. Sherlock shows up on the scene to save the day and make face with his long, lost love Irene.

Irene and Sherlock exchange pleasantries, but Irene keeps her distance from Holmes. Irene later meets with her deceitful, maniacal boss Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris). Moriarty's plan was obviously to kill Irene with the bomb she was delivering, so he finishes the job the bomb didn't. He poisons her, and we no longer have to deal with McAdams' (Wedding Crashers, Morning Glory) porous acting skills.

Sherlock catches wind of her death, and immediately begins to plan his revenge on Moriarty. The problem is that the Professor is well respected and there's practically zero proof of wrongdoing on his part. Sherlock invites Watson to his bachelor party, which Watson's friends put together. However, this "party" was a front for a covert operation at a local pub for Sherlock. While Watson is gambling and having his fill of liquor, Holmes is mingling with a gypsy, Madam Simza (Noomi Rapace). He believes she's in deep trouble with Moriarty, which turns out to be the correct assessment. One of Moriarty's top men attempts to murder Simza and Holmes, but after a long, drawn-out, entertaining chase throughout the bar, they escape.

The next morning Holmes and Watson arrive at Dr. Watson's wedding. Watson is severely hung-over and is sporting a black-eye. Mary is frustrated with Watson, but once she sees Sherlock she at once realizes where the bumps and bruises came from. The next day, Sherlock pays a visit to Professor Moriarty's chambers at the University. They talk, man-to-man, for a while and Moriarty warns Sherlock to keep his distance. Holmes explains that he'll never back down, so Moriarty threatens the lives of Watson and his blushing new bride.

A few hours later, John and Mary Watson set out on their honeymoon. They board a beautiful train and have a cabin all to themselves. However, it isn't long before an assassin tries to kill the newlyweds, which puts Dr. Watson on high-alert. An extremely ugly woman comes to their aid, which is Sherlock in yet another terrible disguise. Watson is extremely angry at Holmes, but Sherlock explains the severity of the situation so they go on the offensive.

It's safe to say that Watson, Holmes and Mary emerge alive, but not before Mary is slung off the train and into a river by Sherlock. Watson hilariously screams at Sherlock, "DID YOU JUST KILL MY WIFE?" The first film definitely has plenty of laughs, but this sequel is much, much funnier (which you can credit to the new writers).

Sherlock promises that Mary is in safe hands with his brother Mycroft (Stephen Fry), who rescued her from the raging river. They decide to once again (possibly for the last time) team up for one more mystery, as they will attempt to take down Moriarty and his evil empire. It's not going to be easy, but with the help from Madam Simza they just might stand a chance. They travel across the country by horseback to Paris to prevent a bombing, but are unsuccessful. Defeated, they travel to Germany where they come across a weapons factory, run by Moriarty. They split up and Sherlock is captured by one of Moriarty's men.

It's now up to Watson, Simza and her crew of misfits to save Sherlock from the villainous Moriarty. This all sets up to one of the better scenes of the franchise, with wonderful cinematography from Philippe Rousselot (Big Fish, The People vs. Larry Flynt).

There's nothing too special about Game of Shadows, but it's a fantastic late season popcorn flick worth every penny. It's funnier, flashier and maybe even funner than the original. I'm still not certain which film is "better," but they're both enjoyable and that's all that matters. If you liked the '09 film, then you'll like this one as well.

The performances are pretty solid across the board, especially from Downey Jr., Law (Contagion, Repo Men), Fry (V for Vendetta, Alice in Wonderland) and Reilly (Eden Lake, Me and Orson Welles). Noomi Rapace's (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire) talents are wasted here, but you haven't seen the last of her as she will star in Ridley Scott's Alien prequel, Prometheus. Jared Harris (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Lost in Space) makes for a decent villain, but falls flat in a few scenes.

Once again, the original music by Hans Zimmer (The Dark Knight, Inception) is as fitting as ever. He's probably my favorite composer in the business today. If you're contemplating whether or not to give this sequel a chance, I say go for it! Downey Jr. is as entertaining as ever, and films just don't get much funner than this.
B