Tricky Tricky

Rating: 7/10 (10 January 2012)

When the first Sherlock Holmes came onto the big screen, I couldn't have been more excited. I love Sherlock Holmes and missed the old mystery movies, so I naturally saw that movie on opening night and was so disappointed. The pacing wasn't good and the characters were pretty lame besides Holmes and Watson. When I saw the trailer to Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows I looked at my fiancé and commented on how the first film wasn't exciting and did it really need a sequel? But much to my surprise Sherlock Holmes made number one over the weekend and stayed at number one for two weeks. When I went to work, people who saw the film said they absolutely loved it and it was a really good movie. So I gave in deciding that maybe the sequel listened to the complaints of the first movie and fixed them and over all it worked a lot better the second time around, thankfully they got rid of Rachel McAdams' character so we don't have to deal with her annoyance. But our favorite duo Holmes and Watson are back working the cases with a few new faces.
Irene Adler delivers a package to Dr. Hoffmanstahl, Hoffmanstahl opens the package, triggering a hidden bomb which is prevented from detonating by the intervention of Sherlock Holmes. Holmes takes the letter and disposes of the bomb while Adler and Hoffmanstahl escape. Holmes later finds Hoffmanstahl assassinated. Some time later, Dr. Watson where Holmes discloses that he is investigating a series of seemingly unrelated murders, terrorist attacks, and business acquisitions, that he has connected to Moriarty. Holmes meets with the gypsy Simza, the intended recipient of the letter he had taken from Adler, sent by her brother Rene. Holmes defeats an assassin sent to kill Simza, but she flees before Holmes can interrogate her. Now Watson and Holmes must find the next series of bombs and prevent another assassination from happening.
I have two complaints, one being that the plot is a little complicated at times. Why not make it a little kid friendly as I loved these stories when I was a child, so why not have a new generation introduced to one of literature's greatest characters? Also that while Downey is certainly having a lot more fun with playing Holmes, he's getting a little irritating as he just won't cut Watson any slack on his honeymoon. But the special effects I must say were astonishing and the running in the woods while being shot in scene was visually a treat. The acting is very good and it was fun seeing how Holmes liked to play games with Watson. I would say this film was a lot better than the first Sherlock Holmes, this had a lot more tension and was much more better paced. It could've been a little shorter and simpler, but things that I'm willing to look past very quickly. I would recommend this movie, the first one was a bore, this one won't disappoint. There are great laughs, fun action and a tricky plot that never lets you go and keeps you guessing as well as a terrific ending that I won't give away, you'll just have to see for yourself.
7/10