Sherlock Holmes More Brawn Than Brains In Sequel

In Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows, Robert Downey Jr. is back as the witty, irreverent hero. But the things that the protagonist in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic novels is known for – razor sharp wit, brilliant deduction, observation – sadly take a backseat to what is director Guy Ritchie's take on the character. Mainly muscles, hand-to-hand combat skills, an expert in ballistics and artillery, and ridiculous cross-dressing disguises.

As a follow-up to the 2009 hit, this Holmes sequel definitely gives the audience more bang for its buck, with more explosions, more slo-mo action sequences, more choppy, frenetic cinematography, and more gunplay.

It's a shame too, for as he was introduced by name only in the original, we finally meet Holmes' nemesis, Professor James Moriarty, played wonderfully by Jared Harris.

As someone who is the intellectual equal (and some might even argue superior) to Holmes, Ritchie and the movie's writers don't allow for enough of a cerebral battle between the two brainiacs.

Instead, we come to find that Moriarty is the architect of a series of bombings and political assassinations, in an attempt to start a kind of "world war," which will make him fabulously rich, as he has acquired a vast collection of companies whose commodities are needed during times of war.

Really? Brilliant professor wants to get rich in pre-1900s London? That's Moriarty's ultimate desire?

For someone who prides himself on being smarter than everyone else, in both Holmes' and Moriarty's case, it was a little disappointing to see so much gunplay. In one scene in particular, Moriarty's attempt to "foil" his enemies on a train comes by the way of thousands of rounds of ammunition and a few bombs. No slipping of poison into a drink. No deceitfully leading the mouse into the trap. No con artistry.

Just guns and bullets.

Jude Law returns as Dr. Watson, Holmes' sidekick. After Watson gets married, Holmes is essentially not able to live without his mustached friend, and he  quickly and safely disposes of Watson's new wife by throwing her off said moving train. From there, she is seen only two other times in the film. So, yeah, not a whole lot of character development for Watson in this one. Always the loyal sidekick, though he does put up a feeble effort at relenting to Holmes' every demand.

While it may sound as if I didn't like the movie, it's actually not true. If you choose to take it for what it is, you'll see a great action flick, with long sequences of well-choreographed fight scenes, an elaborate (if slightly misguided) plot line, and the always-enjoyable, pre-combat, methodical premonitions that Holmes has.

Downey is a picture perfect representation of this version of Holmes, as he employs tremendously witty and humorous dialogue, irreverence, and arrogance to the role.  His selfishness gets a little grating, and there is not an empathetic bone in his body. Still, it's hard to imagine anyone playing the role with the aplomb that Downey has.

Rachel McAdams returns, albeit briefly, as Irene Adler. Harris as Moriarty is also a treat, though you wish a more methodical, intellectual cloak-and-dagger game would have ensued, it's still an easy story to get behind.

More mixed martial art than mastermind, more bullet dodger than brilliant deducer, this definitely isn't your father's Sherlock Holmes. But it just might be your son's.