In this chapter of the Holmes saga we find Watson on the eve of his stag party (that is a bachelor party for those of us unacquainted with the ways of Englishmen), which Holmes seizes as an opportunity to further his investigation of a series of random crimes that have baffled the authorities at Scotland Yards. As Holmes continues in his unorthodox research, his findings lead him to discover Professor James Moriarty, a diabolical criminal mastermind and Holmes’ equal in many ways, as the culprit in these series on unusual crimes. As Holmes and Watson unearth more evidence and the entire scope of Moriarty’s scheme begins to come into focus, the danger escalates not only for Holmes and Watson, but Watson’s new bride as well. With the help of Madame Simza Heron, a gypsy, played by Noomi Rapace and Holmes’s brother Mycroft, Moriarty plans get foiled and the bunch saves a Europe which is on the brink of a World War.

First the good news, Downey and Law are simple the best part of these films, and this one in particular.  Their chemistry is seamless and a terrific pairing, as friends and colleagues. Ritchie’s directing style is unique and visually mesmerizing. Unfortunately this movie fall victim to the creative genius that made the 2009 film so original and enjoyable. The creators behind the franchise didn’t stray too far from the path they blazed in the first film. While that maybe a good thing normally in series of films, for some reason it just doesn’t work well here. As an audience member you get the feeling like you’ve been there and done that already. The storyline is very fast paced and if your attention slips for the slightest of moments, you have missed a major detail or plot point. The action looks familiar and a bit tired, as there are less action sequences, and the ones that are here really are not as visually captivating, as the ones that appeared in the original. One other major flaw in this film is the humor; it is extremely British, which is very dry and confusing for American audiences. This would definitely be one to rent versus going to a theater and shelling out the big bucks for the entire family.