Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Rachel McAdams, Jared Harris, Stephen Fry, Paul Anderson, Kelly Reilly, and more.
Directed by: Guy Ritchie Written by: Michele and Kieran Mulroney Based on Characters by: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Original Music by: Hans Zimmer
Premise: Dr. Watson is getting married. Holmes is not dealing well with the news and to make matters worse, Moriarty has made the doctor and his new bride a target. Holmes must keep them alive while also attempting to foil the plans of his archenemy. (Rated PG-13)
Review: The unique portrayals of Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson by Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law are back! And adding to the team is Stephen Fry's interpretation of Mycroft, Sherlock's brother.
The film starts at a fast pace as Sherlock and Miss Irene Adler share some fun moments in some dangerous meetings. Then she is gone, pitched from the story. Not entirely sure why they went this route unless it was to make room for the new female lead, but whatever the reason, it doesn't quite work. At least to me. The expectation was that she would somehow return, that some hint of her would be seen, despite everything we're told. But such was not the case. (We sat through the credits still expecting SOMETHING! But no.)
As in the first film, we get mental foreshadowing of hand to hand combat, which are pretty cool, but possibly done too many times, in my opinion. Definitely needed to be done in the one true battle that mattered (can't tell you!) which was fabulous but otherwise... Because this meant less cases of seeing Sherlock's mental visual deductions of the crimes being committed, something which had me totally fascinated in the first film.
Great vistas and city fronts, which did much to set the locations and mood. The crossing of the border between France and Germany - hilarious!
Several good comedic moments. Some quite poignant ones. I have to say several spots and Sherlock's actions would have stopped me from wanting to be his friend. Not sure how Watson forgave him about the stag party and the following morning. Though Sherlock was able to put him back together in time. lol. Needless to say their relationship was rather strained during the film, so some of the buddy banter is not as before. :P
One thing I did totally love was when they were in Germany and also at the Peace Summit. You could see the signs of things to come in real history. The weaponry and preparations by the different players for what would in not too many more years turn into WWI. And when a lot of viewers see the cool place in Switzerland for the peace summit, the waterfall there will speak volumes. :P
There was one set of scenes interplaying with each other that were totally masterful. They formed a beautiful dichotomy as we watch the opera by Mozart unfold (way cool costumes!) and Sherlock's last minute attempt to stop a tragedy and the time after.
Their run through the woods as they are fired upon not only by bullets but then cannon was eerily cool to watch. There was a lot of action and good combat scenes.
Overall a nice and enjoyable romp. Not quite as good as the first one, but still well worth it. Especially with the Moriarty and Sherlock Face-off Supreme towards the end. (Oh come on! You knew it was coming.) :)
Raring: 4 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Worth Full Price of Admission.)
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