Sequel-itis strikes again despite the best efforts of a few cast members in Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows which simply goes too far trying to top what was a very entertaining 'original'.
As shown at the end of the first film, Holmes' foe in this sequel is the evil genius Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris) and he is really one of the stand out performances in the film, alongside Jude Law's Dr Watson.
In true Robert Downey Jr style, Holmes hijacks Watson's stag party and wedding, and honeymoon, in the name of pursuing Moriarty and solving his case.
The trouble is, in this context it really didn't work for me like it has in other films. Holmes is a detective, not a common street thug. And while some of his insightful fight scenes were interesting in the first film I thought the inflated number of fight scenes was excessive for someone whose real talent is in his mind.
Along for the ride is Noomi Rapace (from the original Dragon Tattoo movies) as a gypsy Simza who is drawn into the hunt for Moriarty.
There are entertaining elements to this film, don't get me wrong. But I went in expecting some development from the first one and it was just a mish-mash of fights and Holmes pestering the life out of Watson - though their bromance was pretty clearly highlighted.
The chess scene towards the end with Holmes and Moriarty was an example of the type of psychological battles the two enemies have and there wasn't nearly enough of that with the writers resorting to mindless, though well choreographed, action.
Stephen Fry, as Moycroft Holmes, does supply a few comedic moments, albeit one rather embarrassing one included, but overall the film was disappointing.
SPOILER!
Given that Watson types The End on his manuscript at the end of the film, to also signal the film is finished, Holmes types a ? leading us all to believe another sequel will be on the way. I know they do this in just about every film series (I'm surprised they didn't try it with Harry Potter just to keep the franchise going) but it was unnecessary.
A 6 out of 10.
As shown at the end of the first film, Holmes' foe in this sequel is the evil genius Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris) and he is really one of the stand out performances in the film, alongside Jude Law's Dr Watson.
In true Robert Downey Jr style, Holmes hijacks Watson's stag party and wedding, and honeymoon, in the name of pursuing Moriarty and solving his case.
The trouble is, in this context it really didn't work for me like it has in other films. Holmes is a detective, not a common street thug. And while some of his insightful fight scenes were interesting in the first film I thought the inflated number of fight scenes was excessive for someone whose real talent is in his mind.
Along for the ride is Noomi Rapace (from the original Dragon Tattoo movies) as a gypsy Simza who is drawn into the hunt for Moriarty.
There are entertaining elements to this film, don't get me wrong. But I went in expecting some development from the first one and it was just a mish-mash of fights and Holmes pestering the life out of Watson - though their bromance was pretty clearly highlighted.
The chess scene towards the end with Holmes and Moriarty was an example of the type of psychological battles the two enemies have and there wasn't nearly enough of that with the writers resorting to mindless, though well choreographed, action.
Stephen Fry, as Moycroft Holmes, does supply a few comedic moments, albeit one rather embarrassing one included, but overall the film was disappointing.
SPOILER!
Given that Watson types The End on his manuscript at the end of the film, to also signal the film is finished, Holmes types a ? leading us all to believe another sequel will be on the way. I know they do this in just about every film series (I'm surprised they didn't try it with Harry Potter just to keep the franchise going) but it was unnecessary.
A 6 out of 10.
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