Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Movie Review

Twenty years ago I was named an honorary member of The Stormy Petrels of BC, Vancouver’s official Sherlock Holmes Society. My mother had become President (a position she still holds today) and her passion for the great detective had rubbed off. Snuggled in at night we would read about the Blue Carbuncle, Silver Blaze, and the Scandal in Bohemia.

There are many Holmesian groups across the world, including our closest neighbours, the Sound of the Baskervilles in Seattle. Each meets to discuss the canon and host Victorian-themed events while sporting deerstalkers and perhaps a magnifying glass or two.

Following the first Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes film in 2009, my mother was interviewed by The Vancouver Sun. “It had something for everyone, which was great,” she said. “People liked the costumes and the sets were amazing, the special effects, the historical accuracy was very good. It had everything: mystery, drama, suspense, intrigue, a lot of action, and comedy. At the end, it did leave it wide open for a sequel, something to look forward to.” Fans are indeed ready for Holmes’ next adventure on the big screen:

Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as the world’s most famous detective, Sherlock Holmes, and Jude Law returns as his formidable colleague, Dr. Watson, in “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows“.

Sherlock Holmes has always been the smartest man in the room… until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large—Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris)—and not only is he Holmes’ intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may actually give him an advantage over the renowned detective.

Holmes’ investigation into Moriarty’s plot becomes ever more dangerous as it leads him and Watson out of London and across Europe, to France, Germany and finally to Switzerland.

I sent The Stormy Petrels to the advanced screening last night. Here’s my mother’s review:

It was an era of great change and new beginnings. A clash of old vs new and, of course, good vs evil.

We need to keep the ‘Holmes fires’ from dimming. This movie, as I saw it, was quite successful in re-kindling that flame. Not in a mocking fashion, but in an adventurous, exciting way. The most important thing to remember, Sherlockians, is that this movie, once again, brought the name of Sherlock Holmes to the forefront.