Newman and Redford, Astaire and Rogers, Laurel and Hardy and now Downey Jr and Law to add to the list. These guys have such a brilliant on screen chemistry, it is a joy to watch. The plot of A Game of Shadows is pretty complicated, Watson (Jude Law) is getting married, Moriarty (Jared Harris) has reared his ugly head and done away with Holmes' only love Irene Adler (Rachel McAdam) and a gypsy named Sim (Noomi Rapace) is looking for her brother. It is up to Holmes (Robert Downey Jr) and his genius mind to crack the case with the help of his not that reluctant partner Dr Watson and an array of Victorian ne'er do wells. Guy Richie has hit the jackpot with this franchise. I love the Sherlock Holmes books, but he injects a life and vitality that is in the books, but not most of the screen portrayals. The effects and cinematography are sublime. The costumes, superb and the sets give a real feel of what it might have been like in those grimy times.
Downey Jr's eccentric Holmes, mumbling, jealous, insightful and highly intelligent is a sexually charged tour de force. In one fantastic scene we see Holmes against the clock with Don Giovanni playing simultaneously, Mozart and Downey Jr, have I died and gone gone to heaven? Jude Law's Watson is smart, witty, kind and charming a perfect compliment to Holmes and so much better than the bumbling side kick so often portrayed. The support is good, although Noomi Rapace on paper seems perfectly cast as the willful gypsy Sim, the girl with the dragon tattoo seems to have lost her fire disappointingly. The fight scenes are brilliantly executed as before and there aren't too many of them. This film doesn't take itself too seriously at all and there are loads of laughs. Sherlock Holmes should be taken for what I think it is meant to be, rip roaring, sexy, smart and dynamic, now who could ask more from their blockbuster? Sherlock Holmes A Game of Shadows: The appeal is elementary 8/10.
Agree! Holmes as an action figure. I think Rapace's role is just terribly underwritten. But those sparkly men kept my attention! Thank so much, Esther. (Sent here from yr sister, Rachel. I'm JoEllen and live in Indiana-the great middle of the US. Lovely to make your acquaintance!) Talented family!
ReplyDeleteLoved the first one, and now will definitely be making time for this one! I quite agree about chemistry...can't help loving Jude Law in movies,although I have a feeling he isn't so great in real-life! And Downey Jr has that edge of wacky menace that makes him an unpredictable magnet for the viewer I think. Great review as always! xx
ReplyDeleteAgree with everything you've said there - lovely piece of writing about a fab film. I particularly love the visual styling of the two films - gritty, grainy, dishevelled and dirty - almost painterly. Check out the equally brilliant BBC Sherlock television series for a more modern take on Messrs Holmes & Watson.
ReplyDeleteI must be the only one bored into a coma (I literally napped in both the SH movies) by Sherlock. Perhaps it's my bias against short guys cause in no movie ever does Downey (and I do know he's a good actor) do it for me. I'd always rather be with someone else--short men look like chickens to me, their arms like chicken wings and tho I love eating chicken wings I'd rather lust after beefcake. I felt the whole movie was too self-adoring and to me it was just a bad version of House and Wilson (not sure if you see that tv show in OZ). In fact, sorry if I'm insulting you further, but never have I liked a Guy Ritchie movie. Good thing there are more people in the audience like you than like me.... However I do love reading your reviews and think you're a great writer and your movie going passion is always nice to share. ♥
ReplyDelete