Shadow Well Played

Rating: 8/10 (3 March 2013)

I need to get something off my chest really fast and then we can get to the good stuff, or my positive critique: I hated the forest battle scene in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows. I loathe slo-mo scenes in movies without explanation, as much as I hate CGI that takes center stage in films (i.e. Transformers.) And for 90% of this particular sequel, they craftily explained slo-mo, like the original Matrix did, so I was cool until Director Guy Ritchie took an unexpected, unexplained and unoriginal turn with showing a slowed down bombs-away scene amongst trees.
WhewI'm glad I got that out of the way, because for the rest of the experience, I had a blast. A LOT more than Robert Downey Jr.'s first turn as the famous genius detective in 2009 remake: Sherlock Holmes.
Holmes (Downey, Jr.) and newlywed Dr. Watson (Jude Law) work together to solve the alleged crimes of famed Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris) as bombs, murders and nations against nations take place in good ole 1891. Much like Dr. House and Dr. Wilson – which took from Sherlock's M.O., there's the typical reluctance, yet joy in their relationship.
That's all incidental to an extremely fun adventure, great and believable cinematography, a smart and often hilarious script and another fantastic performance from Robert Downey, Jr. I love seeing him in "the smartest person in the world" roles, although I was corrected today saying Sherlock's brother, Mycroft Holmes (Stephen Fry) is actually smarter. And, in addition to that person who knew more Sherlock's history that I did, another individual gave me the background today of a lot that happened in the books (and real-life history) that also appeared in this movie.
Admittedly, I'm not a huge Holmes fan. I am a Robert Downey, Jr. fan and he led me to these two (and, hopefully more) films. He did create an enormously believable, fun, funny and adventurous already-established character brand new for me. And, though I appreciate them sticking to legend in this tale, I'm just happy with what I saw on screen and not have to watch countless hours of celluloid or read numerous books just to appreciate the two hours of film here.
Honestly, there is not much more I can say about this project – without spoilers, that is, but that I had a roaring good time (outside the forest, that is) and that it's a tremendously enjoyable time with how brilliant both the character Sherlock was written and how great it was to see Downey, Jr. play him perfectly. I hope for a Part III, and pray they look past the so-so American box-office to justify it.