Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

I doubt this film needs much of an introduction, but here goes anyway. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is the 2011 blockbuster film from director Guy Ritchie, with Robert Downey Jnr returning as the infamous Sherlock Holmes and Jude Law as his dogged side-kick Dr Watson. This is the second film this successful trio have made, the first was back in 2009 simply titled Sherlock Holmes. This new edition also sees Stephen Fry joining the cast as Sherlock’s older brother Mycroft Holmes. The film was released about a week before Christmas; and bless his cotton socks my boyfriend faithfully waited till I got back from my mother’s house so we could go see it together just before New Year. I have only just got round to the review because there has been so many adaptations about, both on the big and small screen.

Sherlock Holmes is beside himself at the thought of Dr John Watson’s imminent marriage which will end their partnership for good. To console himself Sherlock occupies his time investigating the schemes of his arch-enemy, Professor James Moriarty. However it appears that Sherlock gets too close for comfort to one of Moriarty’s plans. Moriarty warns Sherlock that he considers Dr Watson and his future wife as legitimate targets for his retaliation against the detective, Holmes must save them and to do so he must enlist John in one last case. Their first task is to join the fortune-teller Madam Simza Heron’s quest to find her missing brother, Renee, who may be the key to defeating Moriarty. Together, the trio find themselves involved in a dangerous international conspiracy led by the Napoleon of Crime in which the fate of all of Europe hangs in the balance.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows was a rip-roaring, laugh-out-loud riot from start to finish. I don’t believe I’ve laughed so much in a long time. Without giving too much away there was one scene involving a Shetland pony which just had me in stitches, I laughed so much at it that there were tears! If you’ve seen the film you will know what scene I am on about. If you haven’t seen the film then you must do so immediately! Again Robert Downey Jnr was an amazing Sherlock Holmes with a heady combination of good looks, intelligence, eccentric behaviour, and some of the funniest lines of the whole film. Good old Jude Law was also again brilliant as the poor put upon Dr Watson who couldn’t even enjoy his honeymoon away from Holmes. And then throw one of my ultimate favourites Stephen Fry into the mix as the just as intelligent, eccentric and funny Mycroft, and you have one winning film for me.

On top of all that there is the wonderful Victorian setting, special effects, fight scenes, the ultimate bad guy Moriarty, and two beautiful heroines. I could bang on about this film forever, if you hadn’t noticed. So I will cut myself short and just simply say you must go see this film. Now! If you have already seen this film, well done, and what did you think?