MOVIE REVIEW: An enjoyable 'Game'

Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes in "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows."

Blockbusters now involve so much high-priced spectacle and visual bombardment that actors have become secondary. Michael Bay replaced “Transformers” star Megan Fox, a lad’s mag staple for years, with another hot tot (blonde, this time!) in the latest installment. Nobody cared except Fox, who saw her career prospects plummet as the robots in disguise steamrolled toward a $50 million box-office payday.

Robots, thankfully, don’t star in “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” the rousing sequel to 2009’s introduction. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law do, which is nothing short of a blessing. The irreplaceable actors have settled into a smooth, bickering groove. The fun comes from their tenuous rapport. Downey Jr. portrays Holmes, the genius detective, as a needy, unraveling egomaniac. He can’t imagine life without Dr. John Watson (Law), or figure out why his partner is so reluctant to walk away from adventure. Watson, straitlaced and forever losing his patience, craves some bloody peace. Or so he says.

Specifically, Watson just wants to enjoy his honeymoon with new wife Mary (Kelly Reilly), but Holmes makes such a respite impossible. The detective believes that a series of mysterious deaths — including his alluring, savvy foil, Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) — are linked to Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris), a diabolical genius whose respect amidst Europe’s power brokers makes him especially crafty. Holmes confronts Moriarty, which ends with Moriarty promising in the most eloquent way possible to destroy Holmes — and an unaware Watson.

The latest adventure takes Holmes and Watson to Paris, Switzerland and Germany. Each country reveals another level of Moriarty’s staggering evil, which culminates in a plan that threatens to push Europe toward war. Lending the heroes a hand are Holmes’ know-it-all brother (a delightfully pompous Stephen Fry) and a knife-wielding Gypsy (Swedish beauty Noomi Rapace) whose missing brother plays a pivotal role in Moriarty’s scheme.

Returning director Guy Ritchie (“Snatch”) doesn’t tinker with what worked the first time. The man, who never met a scene he didn’t want to inject full of adrenaline, chooses his spots. The slow-motion shots and quick cuts complement the performances and plot, points of emphasis that seem quaint in today’s multiplex. Downey Jr. still plays Holmes like a mix of Dean Martin and Oscar Wilde, and his swagger carries the film, even when the plot’s cleverness threatens to overtake everything. And the movie refuses to turn Watson into an audience for Holmes’s revelations. He’s smart enough to contribute, even if Holmes will have an answer for everything. For example, Watson screams at Holmes for pushing an at-risk Mary from a moving train. Holmes’ unapologetic, but correct response: “I timed it perfectly!”

“A Game of Shadows” is entertaining, a word that like “cute” or “interesting” can be issued as an insult. There are no ironic connotations here. The performances are uniformly excellent, with veteran Harris a fine addition. The dialogue is sharp. Our attention is kept without Ritchie shamelessly emptying the FX toolbox or resorting to gimmicks. The elements that keep us amused can’t be added in post-production, which bodes well for future, Decepticon-free installments.

Rating: W W W 1/2