‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’ finds the detective and doctor growing very close

Director Guy Ritchie teeters the line between Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher with his uber-successful Sherlock Holmes franchise.

Let me explain.

In the Batman franchise, as well all know, Burton kickstarted everything with Batman, a worthy film, and then followed up his efforts with Batman Returns, a transcendent sequel. Then came Schumacher with Batman Forever, a popcorn-infused orgy of colors that was fun but forgettable. He followed up his rookie effort with Batman & Robin. Need we say more?

When dealing with iconic characters like Holmes or Batman or anybody with a branded name, it can be difficult to put an original spin on an old image. Burton succeeded; Schumacher failed.

Ritchie, who has directed the first two films in the Sherlock Holmes reboot, is thankfully leaning more toward the Burton expertise. But there are times when this story of the English detective and his studious accomplice moves toward the Schumacher influence.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows finds the title character (Robert Downey Jr.) trying to outsmart and outrun Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris, from AMC’s Mad Men), a diabolical villain with apocalyptic desires. Doctor Watson (Jude Law), normally Holmes’ right-hand man, is too busy falling in love and preparing for his nuptials to pay much attention to the new case.

Of course, Holmes criticizes Watson’s pending marriage, insisting it’ll tie him down and kill his profession. Behind these warnings are an obvious homoeroticism; Holmes and Watson are very much like a married couple themselves, arguing about trivial matters and finishing each other’s sentences. They are portrayed as victims of their time period, two men who can’t seem to live independent of each other.

Ritchie, working off a script by Michele Mulroney and Kieran Mulroney, has a way of flirting with Holmes’ sexuality, but never flaunting it or letting it distract from the central plot. Much like its predecessor, A Game of Shadows prides itself on quick action and sped-up storytelling. And, much like its predecessor, the plot becomes so needlessly complicated that it’s difficult to follow all the twists and turns.

The original novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and even the original cinematic adaptations starring Basil Rathbone, were interesting, suspenseful and accessible. For some reason, Ritchie believes convolution is an avenue to propelling this blockbuster movie to a higher stratosphere. But the many characters and double crosses cause head scratching rather than deeper thought.

Case in point: Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) shows up for a few scenes in the beginning of the movie, and the plot has no idea what to do with her. It doesn’t take long for the story to bump her out of the way and continue down its twisty path.

Still, within the plot, there are many engaging sequences. There’s one scene on a train that is intense and fun to watch; there are many unexpected moments and Holmes’ manic thinking makes for great entertainment.

In many ways, the movie fits nicely into the sub-genre known as steampunk. The contraptions around Holmes’ house and his clever ways of escaping certain situations all highlight technological advancements and cutting-edge mechanics. I even found myself more interested in the thingamajigs than the people holding them.

Although all Watson wants to do is enjoy his honeymoon with his new wife (Kelly Reilly), he is eventually dragged into the case. Along the way, the duo teams up with a gypsy known as Madam Simza Heron (Noomi Rapace) and Mycroft Holmes (Stephen Fry), Sherlock’s brother. All of these actors play their part with an enjoyable dedication. Even Downey’s put-on British accent isn’t as grating on the ears as it is in the original.

A Game of Shadows is fun and action-packed, two excellent attributes for a successful blockbuster. One only wishes that  Doyle’s original influence would work its way into the movie. But Ritchie has chosen manic over methodical — which is fine, but beware the curse of Batman & Robin.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

• 2011

• Directed by Guy Ritchie

• Written by Michele Mulroney and Kieran Mulroney; based on the original characters by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

• Starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Stephen Fry and Jared Harris

• Running time: 129 minutes

• Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some drug material

• Rating: