Sherlock Holmes : A Game of Shadows: Movie Review

Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, Jared Harris, Noomi Rapace, Stephen Fry, Rachel McAdams

Director: Guy Ritchie

Following the successful 2009 film Sherlock Holmes, Guy Ritchie once again reteams with the gang for another outing with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famous detective.

But it's all change for the duo - Jude Law's Dr Watson is about to marry his sweetheart and the partnership appears to be over. However, Holmes is investigating a series of bombings across Europe amid fears that this case could have global implications.

And he believes that his nemesis, Professor James Moriarty (Harris) is behind it all and trying to ignite tensions between France and Germany.

Holmes' investigation leads him to gypsy fortune teller Madam Simza Heron (Rapace) whose involvement with separatists could give them the break they need.

Soon, Holmes and Watson are plunged into their deadliest conflict yet, with an enemy who appears to be smarter and swifter than the pair of them...

Downey Jr is once again back on form as this ramshackle brilliant version of Holmes; a self assured but insane Holmes with ADD who jumps around as he tries to keep up with his own intellect. There's the usual bickering between the duo and both Law and Downey Jr and their rapport works well.

Stephen Fry does admirably playing essentially an extended version of himself as Mycroft - and Guy Ritchie's brought his directing flair to some very impressive speed up and slow down set pieces (a sequence inside a wood as the group are under attack is simply breathtakingly good); he manages to score highly for this because of the dialled down nature of the action sequences rather than opting for over the top action.

However, it's the quieter moments of the film where you really appreciate this flick - particularly in the one-on-one exchanges between Holmes and Moriarty.

Jared Harris is brilliant as Holmes' nemesis; he can flick between anger and brooding menace with ease and it's the perfect foil to Downey Jr's manic detective. It's a great partnership and a wonderful capturing of the essence of their relationship.

The only damp disappointing squib in this is Noomi Rapace - she's grossly underused and feels very surplus to requirements.

A Game Of Shadows has it all; humour, action and character - it's great to see this second Holmes soaring above the heights of the first.

Sherlock Holmes : A Game of Shadows - Rating: