View "Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows" in the ShackNation Theatre

This movie starts where the first one left off.  Rachel McAdams performance was once again stunning, but sadly she does not turn out to be the leading lady of this movie.  As far as Holmes and Watson, Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law did a wonderful job.  They worked as well as they did in the first movie, and their relationship was portrayed perfectly.  I can honestly say I did not see any bad characters, and little to no bad acting in this movie.  The balance between funny and serious was perfection, making me laugh and sit in suspense throughout. 

After long days and nights filled with large quantities of alcohol, coca leaves (raw ingredient for cocaine), and little to eat, Holmes finally has the answer to the question he was left with from the first movie.  The man behind the curtain in the first movie has now been identified as Professor Moriarty.  Now all Holmes needs to do is find out what the bigger picture was.  What was the point of disabling and fragmenting Parliament?  Why go to all that trouble?  The plot of this movie makes a great transition from the first.  It honestly felt like I was just seeing the rest of the first movie. The interesting characters are not in short supply, and we see quite a few come into the picture.  Some include Holmes' older brother Mycroft, a Gypsy woman named Sim, and last but not least the true face of Professor Moriarty.  We have to remember that this movie was set around mid 1890's, and this time was leading up to World War I.  You don't really need to know much, if anything about history to follow this movie, but if you do it adds a whole new dimension to what you are experiencing.  As Holmes gets closer and closer to finding out the true purpose of Moriarty's actions, his knowledge and senses are tested more and more.  You also see the true reach of Prof. Moriarty's power and influence across Europe.  This time around the setting is not stationed in England, even though we start there.  Holmes will travel to France, Germany, and Switzerland, always seeming to be one step behind Moriarty.  The action sequences were great, and even better were the settings and the costume design.  You never truly come down from the action or suspense; once it starts it can not be stopped or slowed down.  It just gains momentum, leading to an even bigger and more outstanding ending.  Will Holmes be able to stop Moriarty's plan from fully unfolding?  Has he accounted for all the variables?  Can he keep his one and true friend and his fiance safe?  For those who enjoy puzzles and people watching, you will most definitely love this movie.  It tests your mind while still not taxing you and making it seem like a chore or work.  Your faith in Holmes and Watson's abilities is called into question many times, but they do not disappoint.  This is one of the few movies that truly out does the first.   It would be almost impossible to make another sequel that could surpass this second phase. I give this 5 boners up, and say proudly that this movie was the best movie I have seen this year, and one of the best movies I have ever seen in my lifetime. If you don't like putting effort into understanding the movie or don't like complex plot lines, then this movie isn't for you, but to be honest you don't need to understand absolutely everything in this film to really enjoy it.

-Poet7