So I'm on record as having rather liked the first one of these. I don't take that back; we watched it again recently and felt about the same way. Which is why we dragged our sorry asses to the multiplex.
This one isn't as good. Predictably. As seems (the missus reminds me) to be the way with sequels, this is a case of the same, only lighter. The brooding quality that helped make the first one palatable is replaced here by a kind of Indy Jones-ish Spirit of Adventure. It adds up to no more than a goof, and it's pretty fun at that, but as the darkness blows away it reveals some of the weaknesses in Ritchie's approach.
Like, he has absolutely no use for female characters. Which makes one realize: oh, yeah, this is basically a lad movie. Facepalm time: suddenly I can see the pitch meeting. "We'll take Holmes and Watson, 'cause they're already a buddy movie, and make it a lad buddy movie. Cigars and gambling and boxing and shit." Of course it's knowing about it: they're winking and nodding at you the whole time, Ritchie and co. are. That doesn't save it, of course, but it does ameliorate things a bit.
All of which is to say that, if you liked the first one, you'll probably like this one too. Not as much, but then you didn't expect to, did you?
1 comment:
Totally agree with you about the first movie.
I liked the first one but did not even see the second one, as it was too action-oriented for my Sherlockian tastes :)
Cheers!
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