Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows - 8
Although I can't say that this is a ground-breaking movie or even one that I will watch over and over, but it was definitely enjoyable. In fact, I liked it more than the first one and I will probably buy the bluray and watch it a couple of times.
Robert Downey Jr. does a great job once again playing the slightly off-beat genius and he is balanced very well by Jude Law. I didn't really understand their relationship in the first movie, and although there are no real surprises in this one, I think the writing did a better job of making me believe their friendship. I also was surprised by the appearance of Noomi Rapace as the gypsy and I can't wait to see her in more American films (hint Prometheus).
The most rewarding thing for me this time around was the fact that I didn't have to wait until the end of the movie to understand everything that was going on. In Sherlock Holmes, there was really only one big mystery that you were trying to solve all the way through and unless you were paying attention closely (and are a genius yourself), the answer wasn't revealed until the last five minutes. In this sequel, there is a big mystery for the end, but there are also lots of small mysteries along the way and each of those are explained very quickly so you aren't kept waiting.
Finally, I felt like I was laughing more during this one, and that is always nice. If you liked the first one, then this will definitely be up your alley. Overall, this movie rates an 8.
