The original Sherlock Holmes film was a breath of fresh air in one of the oldest franchises running. The titular character has a rich history that includes everything from martial arts to drug use, but his superior intellect overshadowed it all. After Robert Downey, Jr. made Holmes his own (by living the role in real life as a talented drug addict), this sequel thrusts the detective once more into modern culture. Supported by stalwart but reluctant Watson (Jude Law), the two characters have an easy rapport - Watson is the normal one, Holmes is the eccentric misanthrope who has difficulty blending with high society. Unlike the first installment which lacked a worthy villain, A Game of Shadows jumps right to the baddest bad guy of them all: Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris).
After being harassed by Moriarty's thugs, Holmes decides to face his arch-nemesis in person. Moriarty never hides; he's a professor, after all. What ensues is a battle of wits before a battle of fists, and it's a credit to the film's script that their verbal duels don't verge into high camp. When Moriarty refuses to keep Watson and his new bride Mary (Kelly Reilly) out of their conflict, the stakes have never been higher. Moriarty plays for keeps, and it's not long before the casualties begin piling up.
Game of Shadows has a refreshing mix of action (artillery!), humor (Mycroft Holmes walks around naked; Sherlock runs around in drag), and technology (automatic weapons!). Part of the fun is knowing the future of Sherlock's world will change, tempered by the looming specter of a pending World War. Games of Shadows has its tics - at times Holmes' predictive abilities become a little wearying - but overall it clicks along at a cheerful rate, blowing up Paris with abandon.
On the one hand, there can be no Holmes without Moriarty. On the other, fighting Moriarty is the culmination of Holmes' career. We always knew he was behind the wicked machinations of the first film, but Game of Shadows is tired of waiting. Holmes and Moriarty are on a collision course and there will be tragedies on both sides.
It's only when the action shifts to Reinchenbach Falls that we realize this installment is inspired by The Final Problem. Unlike the first movie, the sequel has a definite beginning and end, hurtling toward a conclusion that cannot be denied. It's going to be hard to top Game of shadows. I liked it better than the first.
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