Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Oh dear. Guy Ritchie’s twelve step programme to rid himself of Madonna’s pernicious influence appears to have hit a snag. Having taken a giant leap forward with Sherlock Holmes two years ago – and by that I mean having finally produced a watchable film that didn’t involve Vinny Jones or gangsters – Ritchie attempts the same alchemy with this sequel but falls short. A Game of Shadows is a pale imitation of its predecessor despite retaining the original cast and introducting Holmes’ arch nemesis Moriarty. In the words of the great philosopher, Paula Abdul, this is a case of two steps forward, three steps back.

The action takes up shortly after the first film’s conclusion. A series of explosions in Europe are being attributed to anarchists but Holmes has other ideas. After a chase sequence through the streets of London with Irene (Rachel McAdams) being pursued by Holmes (Robert Downey Jr), we are finally introduced to Moriarty (Jared Harris) who delivers an early demonstration of his intelligence, power and ruthlessness. Meanwhile, Holmes is organising Watson’s (Jude Law) stag party. Having met up with Holmes’ brother Marsan (Stephen Fry) they go to a gentleman’s club where they meet gypsy Madam Simza (Noomi Rapace), a target for Moriarty’s assassins. From then on, Holmes and Moriarty are set in pitched battle.

Their initial exchange piques interest and sets up what should be a fascinating battle between two equals mentally slugging it out but, unfortunately, this movie never lives up to that promise. Instead of crackling, the rest of the exchanges between Holmes and Moriarty are easily telegraphed. There is none of the uncertainty and tension that marked the tussle between Holmes and Mark Strong’s Lord Blackwood in the first incarnation of this franchise. Moriarty is supposed to be an uber-villain Instead what we get is not so much an evil genius as a well connected businessman, scholar and diplomat. Seanie FitzPatrick with a PhD. Okay, an evil businessman, scholar and diplomat, but this is supposed to be Holmes’s greatest foe, not one straight from the James Bond casting stable. Having done a good job establishing Holmes’ character first time around, they muck up the one character that is key to keeping this franchise going.

The chemistry between the original cast still remains. Downey Jr slips back into the role without missing a beat and he sparks well off both McAdams and Law. Of the new additions, Fry probably fares best providing comic relief and, with one sequence later in the film, adding a new string to his bow. However, Rapace, who makes her Hollywood debut here after making a splash with her work on the Millennium trilogy, needs to reassess her representation. If this was to be her Hollywood breakout she’s not been well served by a character who adds little to the development of the story. Her only real function is to act as a bridge to meeting other gypsies. Either the part was thrown in at the last minute or a lot of her material ended up on the cutting room floor.

A Game of Shadows’ main problem is its plot. It is all rather dull and predictable. The first film was pacey and exciting, keeping the viewer guessing as it progressed,but this time around the intrigue makes way for action and the film suffers as a result. Action is, of course, Ritchie’s comfort zone. He is much better when his characters have a couple of guns in hand than when they are being more cerebral. That works for something like Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels but Sherlock Holmes deserves better. There is no doubt that the action sequences are very stylish. He deploys his signature slow motion footage set against rapid editing and produces something close to Lock Stock and Two Smoking Cannons. In doing so, however, he sacrifices the plot at the great altar of blowing crap up.

It doesn’t help that while the first film felt fresh and innovative its thunder has been stolen somewhat by the BBC’s brilliant modern take on Sherlock Holmes starring Benedict Cumberbatch. Compared to the flare and ingenuity demonstrated in that adaptation, this feels very by-the-numbers.

All that said, it’s still very watchable. Most films starring Downey Jr are. Nevertheless, if this is to turn into a trilogy, Ritchie will have to both keep his fingers crossed, take some clever pills and come up with something more involving next time.

Stars: ***