Sherlock Holmes: Spiel im Schatten (Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows)
U.S.A. 2011

Opening 22 Dec 2011

Directed by: Guy Ritchie
Writing credits: Michele Mulroney, Kieran Mulroney, Arthur Conan Doyle
Principal actors: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Jared Harris, Noomi Rapace, Rachel McAdams

Guy Ritchie directs Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law once more, as they set out to untangle another web of intrigue in the second Sherlock Holmes film in this new series. The screenplay is written by Michele and Kieran Mulroney.

The story brings Holmes's (Downey Jr.) infamous arch nemesis, Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris), to the forefront. The famous detective's brilliant mind soon discovers the thread connecting a series of bombings, murders and scandals. Joined by his faithful Watson (Law), who firmly announces that this is the last case he will be involved in, Holmes travels to France, Germany and Switzerland to uncover Moriarty's evil plan; yet, somehow, the professor manages to keep one step ahead of, even mislead, Holmes, and the intellectual battle that ensues between the two will push Holmes to the brink.

A Game of Shadows challenges the viewers’ senses of perception and capacities of observation. When Holmes appears to glance randomly around a room, we know that he is storing key bits of information; we may suspect one item here or there, but rarely grasp the full picture. Luckily for us, Ritchie back tracks a couple of times to show us how it all actually fits together. Of course! we say, after the fact!

A fun, if dark, caper, with Downey Jr. and Law once again complementing each other in delightful fashion. (Osanna Vaughn)