This movie is a fantasy that involves cleverly thought out humor and adventurous scenes

Rating: 7/10 (10 December 2014)

I stumbled across this movie when I accompanied my friend to the cinemas, and to my surprise it was definitely worth the audience's ticket price. "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" picks up where the prequel left off. Holmes is tracking down Professor Moriarty, a man he believes is responsible for a series of bombings and mysterious deaths around the world. Filled with schemes and suspense to reinforce how Holmes uses his detective skills to capture the criminal mastermind and antagonist who is just as smart as Holmes himself. The first scene takes place in Hotel De La Ville, Paris, in 1891 when Irene Adler delivers a package to Dr Hoffmanstahl, a payment for a letter he was to deliver. Holmes takes the letter while Adler and Hoffmanstahl escape. He later discovers that Hoffmanstahl is assassinated moments later. After getting himself involved in some tangles, Holmes is captured by Moriarty who interrogated and tortures him. With his natural instincts, Holmes manages to spell out Moriarty's plot, revealing that the professor secretly acquired shares in multiple war profiteering companies intend to instigate a world war to make him a fortune. Holmes cunningly replaced Moriarty's personal diary that contained all his plans and financing with a duplicate. They anticipate an impending physical confrontation and Holmes instead grapples Moriarty, however, forcing them both over the balcony and into the Reichenbach Fall. They are presumed dead. An action-packed and adventurous movie that captures the audience's attention to experience Holmes' journey of detective solving, also enter his surreal world of fantasy.
Main characters: Robert Downey Jr. portrayed Sherlock Holmes, Jared Harris portrayed Professor Moriarty, Jude Law portrayed Dr John Watson, Stephen Fry portrayed Mycroft, Holmes older brother, and Rachel McAdams portrayed Irene Adler. Robert Downey Jr. portrayed Holmes as brilliant and perceptive as he always has been. He is true to the character and adds his natural twinge of detective persona. It is refreshing to be seen such a well-loved character updated to appeal to a modern audience. Downey Jr. Plays the eccentric sleuth with the mixture of brilliance and manic tendencies. However, he also adds in his own elements to create a character that can be appreciated in the context of this film. Jude Law plays Dr Watson, a role he manages to pull off well through the clever use of a mustache an array of hats. Holmes' relationship with Watson is highlighted in this film. Their chemistry is hilariously funny as there are a few scenes involving Holmes dressed as a woman that brings the comedy to its peak with the lines "lie with me Watson". Rachel McAdams has a small role; the female lead is replaced by Noomi Rapace. She plays the mysterious fortune telling gypsy, Madam Simza Heron, who joins forces with Holmes and Watson when she discovers that her brother is concerned. She makes a wonderful companion for the two men. Jared Harris gives a convincingly evil performance as Professor Moriarty, the person with equaling brilliance of Holme's mind or his insanity. Stephen Fry plays Holmes' older brother, Mycroft. His character contributes little to the main plot.
The film had several climaxes with their rise and fall of action. It kept the pace of the movie up and viewers engaged. The action scenes were enhanced by the beautiful cinematography. Some of the scenes help build a connection between the character and audience. For instance, when Holmes's sees everything as he says his curse; it engages the viewer on his personal thoughts. The scene on the train ride to Watson's honeymoon, involving some large guns and Holmes disguised in a wig, dress and makeup was most likely to be the best humorous scene. The scene that I found rather surprising was when Holmes and Moriarty fall off the balcony and lands in Reichenbach Falls. Holmes is not injured by the fall and abodes drowning by using Mycroft's oxygen inhaler. He yet uses his tricks to escape another time, but of course the protagonist never gets written off the script. In the meanwhile, he conjures up plans to catch the next mastermind.
The partnership that Holmes and Watson enjoy is definitely more a lifelong relationship. The remnants of sibling rivalry that shows between Holmes and his older brother do not compare with what Holmes has with Watson. "A man of many companions may now come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother". Professor Moriarty is the villain. He manipulates everything to achieve his goals. His pride is shown when he has lunch with a victim who believes themselves safe in a restaurant only to find out that, at Moriarty's command, everyone leaves foretelling their impending doom. This lesson implies that one should not be too quick to befriend someone who comes across as trustworthy, as he is the one that betrays the innocent in the end. Morality has shed innocent blood and devised wicked schemes.
The target audience for this film would be anyone that enjoys an action-filled and suspense film, especially those young teens who are obsessed about detective stories. The main idea of the film is based on mysterious crime saving tactics. It is a thrilling and thoroughly enjoyable film, outstandingly captured the surreal fantasy brought to life on screens which were once a paperback story written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The recommended age group can range from 13 - middle ages adults who enjoy detective stories that incorporate humor and suspense in the storyline. The MPAA rating for this film is PG-13. Overall, I thought it was a great movie for thirteen and above. It was definitely much better than the first Sherlock Holmes realized in 2009. There was hardly any offensive content. Rating: 41/2 out of 5.