Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

This series is a great fit for Guy Ritchie. He directs them with a hefty dollop of panache and fun. His camerawork and editing techniques enhance the story, rather than distract. The way Holmes devises a future outcome in his mind’s eye, for example. Fight scenes are entertaining and fresh. Dialogue is crisp and witty.

Not everything is perfect, however. The plot gets a bit convoluted. Positive outcomes are often too easily achieved to feel authentic. Timelines can be fuzzy. Still, the pros far outweigh the cons and earn this film a…

Rating: B-