Brilliant, capable, and resplendent!

Rating: 8/10 (18 December 2011)

The first Sherlock Holmes was not only an accomplishment of storytelling and intrigue, but it pushed the ever-present envelope of science vs. magic. With that said, it is probably one of my favorite movies of all time. And though this sequel doesn't quite capture the wonder of it's predecessor, it is worthy enough to carry the title of the famous detective.
The story is engaging and will keep you hooked from beginning to end. The character of Moriarty presents an ever elusive threat, and it's up to the famous Sherlock Holmes and his trusty Dr. Watson to stop him! Though this scenario may seem clichéd and tired, the filmmaker's awesome dialogue, combine with excellent performances from Downey Jr., Law, and Harris, makes it quite an experience.
As awesome as I'm making this movie seem, and trust me, it is, there are some problems I have with it. The killing of McAdams character is too quick. And though we clearly see how her death affects Holmes, they filmmakers don't dwell on it. I see this as a great opportunity to create a truly dramatic scene. But no! She's killed, Sherlock is sad for a bit, and that's the end of it.
I also hate Stephen Fry in this movie. The character of Mycroft Holmes is every bit as ingenious as Sherlock; he is intelligent, but lazy and blunt. Fry certainly captures the apathetic nature of the character, but I never saw anything scintillating about him. For Fry's weaknesses, however, we get more of the back-and-forth banter from Sherlock and Watson in this film. Much like the first one, it focuses on their relationship-er, excuse me, partnership, and satirizes it to the one hundredth degree. This makes both characters more identifiable and more like brothers.
Particular praise is for the dialogue between Moriarty and Holmes. It brings back fond memories of reading the original short stories. Both men hate each other for their opposite morales and personalities, but at the same time, respect one another for their equal intellect. I wont say anymore, but trust me when I tell you that those scenes make the movie.
There's also a lot more action in this one, and though the constant slow motion and organized battle strategy is an acquired taste, there's a lot of gunshots and explosions to please any popcorn-flick fan.
Final verdict: This is a brilliant film! It's not as good as the first one, but certainly one of the stronger Sherlock Holmes movies (and trust me, there's quite a few). If you liked the first movie, or just want a huge murder/mystery story, then this movie is for you!