Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is simply awesome. The best praise I can think for it is that “It is better than its previous installment”. This movie was a great challenge for the director (Guy Ritchie) as the previous version has set a very high standard, although it used the element of surprise to its advantage. Hence, the challenge was to keep up to that standard without the element of surprise, and I am glad to tell you that the director succeeded in it with flying colors.
Highlights:
1. Art Direction and Set Decoration – The depiction of almost a century old Europe (England, France and Germany) is amazing.
2. Costume Design – The costumes include the average costumes of almost a century old European (English, French and German) citizens. Then there are the gypsies and other poor people. But the most fascinating ones are the disguises of Mr. Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.).
3. Make-up Design – The disguises of Mr. Holmes are astounding, a true work of genius. Sometimes it is hard to recognize that this is Mr. Holmes, even after it is revealed.
4. Cinematography – The attention to details is the main part here. Many of the gun-fight scenes are played in slow motion and it is amazing to watch the details being highlighted in such scenes. A great job is done by Philippe Rousselot.
5. Screenplay – The dialogues and the scenes are very well written. As shown in the last movie the analysis done by Mr. Holmes (in his mind) before planning any attack is even made better in this movie. There is a scene in the end where the fight is fought in the mind of both the players simultaneously.
6. Background Score – The best thing I liked about the score is the innovation. Neither have they replaced the old theme with a completely new one, nor have they kept the old one as it is. The folks have worked on the old tune itself, to make it sound faster (increased the tempo) and better (increased the beats).
7. Editing – The earlier standards have been maintained in the scenes where Mr. Holmes analyze the fight in his mind. However, this movie even made it better with both Mr. Holmes and Prof. Moriarty analyzing the fight in their minds simultaneously. A great work is performed by James Herbert.
8. Performances – Pretty decent performances have been given by all the major stars. Special appreciation for Mr. Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.), an amazing job is done by him.
9. Direction – Last but not the least, the ring-leader, who made everything possible. Good job Mr. Ritchie.
Lowlights:
None
Overall, it is an awesome movie. A must watch for action, adventure, thrill and mystery lovers. Hence, I rate it as follows:
Entertainment rating: 4.5
Critics rating: 4.5
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