Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Entertainment: +3

Content: +2

Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Jared Harris, Eddie Marsan, Stephen Fry. Action Adventure Mystery. Written by Kieren Mulroney & Michele Mulroney. Directed by Guy Ritchie

FILM SYNOPSIS: Guy Ritchie helms the sequel, further following the exploits of Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and his longtime trusted associate, Dr. Watson (Jude Law), as they match wits with their arch-nemesis, the criminal genius Moriarty (Jared Harris). And when the cunning Moriarty spins a web of death and destruction that will change the course of history, well, the game’s afoot.

PREVIEW REVIEW: Certainly more violent than say the old Basil Rathbone versions of the Baker Street sleuth, and Holmes seems more a blend of TV’s Monk and 007 these days than resembling Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s renowned detective, but I must admit, it’s a hoot.

Yes, there is the usual amount of graphic kicks and punches, shootings and explosions to keep things lively for audiences no longer content with eerie, atmospheric melodramas, but fortunately, along with an interesting retooling of the two main characters, there is also humorous wit and stylish execution.

As in the first of the Downey/Law pairings, Holmes is more like a messy version of Adrian Monk and Watson an able bodied adventurer, who along with being a devout friend, is able to defend himself proficiently. They bicker like an old married couple, but deep down share a respect and brotherly love for one another.

Long, the film is bloated with action sequences, but, overall, it’s lively-paced, contains award-worthy art and set designs, and is fun and involving.

Please read the content to decide if the film is suitable for your viewing. And for those truly adventurous, try going back in time when Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce were the foremost interpreters of Holmes and Watson. The best of their 14-film series: The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Scarlet Claw (my favorite) and Terror By Night.

Preview Reviewer: Phil Boatwright
Distributor: Warner Bros.

Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.

Crude Language: None

Obscene Language: None

Profanity: None

Violence: From beginning to end, action, action, action – all of which include martial arts battles, shootouts, explosions and one tense scene wherein Holmes gets tortured with a meat-hanging hook; a whole lot of people get killed. Some blood.

Sex: None

Nudity: One scene features Sherlock’s even quirkier brother walking around his home sans clothing, which unnerves Watson’s new wife. He’s shot from the waist up and it’s played for laughs.

Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: None

Drugs: Occasional drinking.

Other: None

Running Time: 120 minutes +
Intended Audience: 12 and up

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