Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is the sequel to the 2009 blockbuster Sherlock Holmes. The film brings back the several key actors, Robert Downey, Jr. Jude Law, Eddie Marsan and Kelly Reilly. While the consensus is sequels usually are not nearly as good as the first film this movie does succeed in being every bit as good as the first Holmes movie.
In this picture, Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris, The Ward), Holmes arch-rival is the antagonist. Several people are being murdered that seem unrelated, and in ways that suggests the murders are suicide. After discovering clues along the murder trailer, it is determined that Professor Moriarty is behind it all, with a devious plot to start a war. Sherlock Holmes must thwart his scheme by using his superior sleuthing ability to deduce where Moriarty will attack next. Holmes needs the aid of long-time friend Watson who was just married to Mary Morstan (Kelly Reilly) and is on a honeymoon. The honeymoon does not last long as their recently married couple are in danger.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is another outstanding mystery adventure movie with the action barely letting up. There is a train sequence was one of the best parts of the movie. Guy Ritchie has gone with the same formula as he did in his first Sherlock Holmes film, and is just as successful. The film introduces us to Sherlock Holmes brother Mycroft (Stephen Fry, A Fish Called Wanda). Mycroft is basically the main comedy relief for the film, which comes as no surprise as veteran actor Fry acted in many, many comedies his in career. With the comedy, you will either dig it or feel that it is out of place in this type of film. Jared Harris is perfect as the ruthless genius Professor Moriarty.
As it was in the first Sherlock Holmes film, the excellent cinematography is once again by Philippe Rousselot. He captures the mood of the film with the beautiful shots of Victorian settings and other lush scenery.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is presented in 4K UHD courtesy of Warner Brothers Home Entertainment with a 2160p transfer in 2.40:1. This presentation is just like the Sherlock Holmes 4K UHD release. The scenery is just magnificent under the urban setting with cloudy, grey skies, boasting a lot of details and deep textures. This presentation still has that somewhat darker hue as there are hardly any vibrant cheerful colors, and tends to be on the brownish, sepia side. The moments during the film that has color, be it gunfire and explosions that are orange-yellow or even the white button-down shirt that Sherlock Holmes wears, are strong. Shadow definition is excellent, and the flesh tones of the actors are accurate. No DNR has been applied as far as I can see.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows has a crisp and clear DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, with dialog, action noises and Hans Zimmer’s wonderful musical scores coming in flawlessly and with a lot of depth. Optional English subtitles are available for this release.
The supplements are the same as what was on the original Blu-ray release, which are Maximum Movie Mode, Focus Points and A Game of Shadows Movie App. No new supplements for this release.
I enjoyed Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows every bit as much as the first film. The image quality is an improvement over the Blu-ray, but extras are the same. Despite that, this new UHD release is certainly worth having on the shelf!
Sherlock Holmes A Game of Shadows
Director- Guy Ritchie
Cast- Robert Downey, Jr., Jude Law
Country of Origin- US
Distributor – Warner Brothers
Number of Discs – 2
Reviewed by – David Steigman
Date- 11/15/2020