Jolly Japes

Rating: 5/10 (13 January 2012)

Yes, it is Panto season, and there is one on the big screen - this follow up to the rather dragged out first outing for Downey jnr and Law with Guy Ritchie helming. Not bad - a good frenetic, joke-laden, buddy buddy, effects heavy romp that is the norm for today's entertainment. Not heavy on intellect or memory, but watching is enjoyable in the darkened movie theatre. The best bits are undoubtedly the interplay between the two male leads - apparently involving some improv on set - and the worst bits (as in the first movie) the overlong, overdone action sequences, particularly the escape through the woods under fire from some nasty German heavy howitzers (unfortunately the explosive shocks barely travel more than ten yards!!!!). Many minor characters simply are pushed aside when they appear, but Jared Harris puts up a rather good 'professor' as opposed to the usual miscast villains in action movies. OK for the occasional blockbuster, but it all will need rebooting soon, if repetition is not to set in.