Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

Unlike the 2009 hit that preceded this one there's very little mystery to be found here, not much in the way of puzzles in need of being solved.

It's complete trash and makes a mockery of Holmes's vaunted deductive reasoning.

The production is still needlessly overlong and overblown, a far cry from your father's (or even your cousin's) conception of the master detective. But it's certainly lively and has clever moments that involve Holmes' keen powers of observation...

Downey's career is something of a game of shadows, but it's one still worth playing, for now.

Downey and Law remain this presumptive franchise's draw.

What this film really celebrates is crunch-and-thud video-game-style action, not especially well choreographed by director Guy Ritchie.

If one can set aside some of the deviations of these modern twists on the classic characters and simply pick up a bowl of popcorn instead, they’ll be pleased with the game that is afoot.

When it’s all over, audiences may find the experience superficial and in no way reminiscent of Doyle’s stories, but for just over two hours, we’ve been happily diverted.

Unfortunately the uniqueness, humor, and charm of the first film are all but missing in the sequel.

A touching romance, this time with actual touching, A Game of Shadows will while away a couple of hours with a few good set pieces and a couple of giggles.