Poor Noomi Rapace, who was so incredible in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, is given almost nothing to do here as a Victorian era gypsy. Downey has always been the kind of actor who could pull out a snide comment without ever making his lips move, and his scenes with Harris are among the few scenes where his performance perks up and he actually seems interested in what's going on. While the scenes between Holmes and Law continue to sizzle with electricity and fun, the scenes between Holmes and Moriarty are filled with verbal jousting and intelligent banter. The film becomes a battle of wills and wits as Holmes drags along Watson and they head out after Moriarty, whom it is believed is responsible for escalating tensions between Germany and France with terrorist bombings that are done with incredible discretion. Madam Simza Heron is searching for her missing brother, a mystery that Holmes can't help but become involved in despite Watson's pending nuptials. Watson is set to marry but, of course, Holmes finds himself distracted when he meets a Romani fortune teller (Noomi Rapace, the original 'The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) at a drunken stag party. Their pairing was a stroke of genius, and while Downey's definitely less compelling this time around his screen time with Law gives the film a good majority of its highlights. The film once again sales to what success it has on the chemistry between Downey and Law. Harris underplays Professor Moriarty, an entertaining and appealing contrast to the more bombastic approach of Downey and his returning counterpart, Holmes (Jude Law). This time around, Holmes squares off with one of his most intriguing rivals, Professor Moriarty ( Mad Men's Jared Harris), who exudes arrogance and projects a degree of intellectual superiority. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows isn't really an awful film, just an awfully familiar one.

Nearly everything that felt fresh and fun in the first Sherlock Holmes feels tired and labored this time around. That's why they call it 'acting.' Downey's a terrific actor, but he simply can't fake his way through sub-par material and his disinterested and uninspired performance in this second Sherlock Holmes flick is likely indicative of the fact that Downey knows quite well that this is a 'been there, seen that' production. Now then, of course, acting is a 'fake it' sort of profession. You might even consider it a strength, even though it can certainly work against the gifted actor's marketability.

Movie review sherlock