Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of the Blu-ray for "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" is a showcase of exceptional technical proficiency and meticulous attention to cinematographic detail. Presented in 1080p/AVC-encoded format, the transfer maintains a stunning balance between artistic intention and visual clarity. The film’s heavily stylized, late 19th-century palette—favoring muted blues, grays, and blacks with intermittent crimson and sepia tones—enhances the narrative's immersive quality. Philippe Rousselot's exquisite cinematography has been dramatically color-graded, enriching the visual experience without compromising detail. The transfer handles the high-speed Phantom camera shots adeptly, preserving texture and delineation even in slow-motion scenes, where natural softness is expected.

Of particular note is the treatment of dark scenes, a significant aspect given the film’s atmospheric setting. Despite the almost monochromatic essence, black levels are profoundly inky and shadows are perfectly delineated, revealing a sharp gradation without any evidence of crushing or banding. This level of detail is maintained consistently across the film, whether it's in the dark alleys or the brightly lit wedding scene, ensuring that textures and facial features remain distinct and well-defined. Grain is present but unobtrusive, adding a layer of cinematic authenticity without compromising the sharpness of the image.

The Blu-ray’s video transfer stands out not only for its visual fidelity but also for its lack of imperfections. There are no noticeable occurrences of aliasing, artifacting, banding, or other compression-related issues. This precision reinforces the high quality of Warner's encode, capturing Ritchie's creative vision with fidelity that fans of the franchise will undoubtedly appreciate. Overall, the video presentation of "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" on Blu-ray is a technical triumph, presenting a dark yet richly detailed visual experience that aligns seamlessly with its stylistic execution.

The audio presentation of "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" on Blu-ray is an exemplar of DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound capabilities. Warner has expertly utilized this lossless format, offering a fully engaging and dynamically expansive surround mix that immerses the listener in a three-dimensional soundscape. This feature is particularly beneficial in action sequences, transforming the room into a multi-directional sound field with 360-degree surround activity. The low-frequency effects generate deep, authoritative bass, enhancing the visceral impact of explosions, gunfire, and other intense elements. Dialogue is reproduced with crystal clarity, ensuring every line is perceptible and distinct, even in the most rapid exchanges.

The mix's sonic depth is immediately noticeable, boasting superb directional accuracy and rhythmically charged bass extension. The rear speakers enliven the already immersive soundfield with convincing directional effects and seamless cross-channel pans, contributing to remarkable dynamics. Hans Zimmer's score is beautifully rendered, with distinct thematic elements for Holmes and Moriarty articulated through both playful and orchestral compositions. The mix faithfully captures Zimmer's blend of Celtic, Romanian, and Schubert-inspired pieces, enriching the overall auditory experience.

Particularly impressive are the slow-motion sequences and rapid action scenes that feature Ritchie's signature sound effects. These elements are meticulously localized within the soundfield, ensuring bullets whizz by and explosions resonate from appropriate directions with perfect clarity. The DTS-HD Master Audio track remains lively throughout, providing an aural tapestry that is both thunderous and intricate. From the demolition of towering structures to the subtleties of conversational exchanges, the audio design maintains a high level of engagement and dynamism. This presentation is truly a demonstration of high-level sonic detail, making it an essential experience for audiophiles and fans alike.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows Blu-ray extras deliver an engaging and informative experience, blending humor and insight. Hosted by Robert Downey Jr., the Maximum Movie Mode offers a picture-in-picture commentary aligning with Downey's characteristic wit and erratic charm. However, comprehensive behind-the-scenes insights are sparse. Segments are interspersed, necessitating remote intervention to navigate seamlessly. Complementing this is the A Game of Shadows Movie App, essential for detailed content like video, script comparisons, and character studies, albeit restrictive for those preferring physical disc resources. The Focus Points, accessible via the main menu, offer brief but interesting dives into specific production elements.

Extras included in this disc:

• Maximum Movie Mode: Interactive film commentary by Robert Downey Jr.
• Focus Points:
  • Holmesavision on steroids
  • Moriarty’s master plan unleashed
  • Sherlock Holmes & Dr. Watson: Perfect chemistry
  • Meet Mycroft Holmes
  • Sherlock Holmes: Under the gypsy spell
  • Guy Ritchie’s well-oiled machine
  • Holmes without borders
• Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows App: Behind-the-scenes interactive experience.

"Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" sees Robert Downey Jr. bringing an energetic, if slightly manic, interpretation of Holmes who faces a formidable adversary in Jared Harris' Professor James Moriarty. With his intellect and moral coldness, Moriarty provides a dark foil to Holmes, expertly manipulating global events to create chaos and gain power. The chemistry between Downey Jr. and Jude Law as Watson remains a highlight, capturing the essence of their partnership from Arthur Conan Doyle's stories, albeit with an added modern flair.

Guy Ritchie's direction steers the film firmly towards action and spectacle, occasionally at the expense of narrative coherence. Rapid-fire editing during fight sequences, reminiscent of Ritchie's style in "Snatch," feels disjointed and overwhelming, sometimes overshadowing the intricate plotting typical of Sherlockian tales. Nevertheless, the film peaks during its third act with a smartly paced showdown between Holmes and Moriarty, harking back to Doyle's "The Final Problem."

The screenplay by Kieran and Michele Mulroney is a mixed bag. While it crafts an entertaining global adventure that includes visits to France, Germany, and Switzerland, it also diverges significantly from Doyle’s methodical storytelling. Extraneous characters and subplots, such as Noomi Rapace’s gypsy Simza, feel like unnecessary diversions. Yet, Downey's charisma, Harris' subtle but menacing portrayal of Moriarty, and the visually dazzling action sequences—enhanced by high-speed Phantom cameras—make the film an engaging watch for fans, even if purists might find themselves yearning for a more cerebral experience.

"Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" builds on the foundation set by its predecessor, moving more decisively into blockbuster territory. The film features Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Watson, battling Holmes's infamous nemesis Moriarty, portrayed by Jared Harris. This shift introduces heightened stakes and a more personal conflict, raising the bar for character development and engagement. Yet, this broader, action-packed narrative comes at the cost of the atmospheric fog-enveloped London setting, thus diluting some of the original charm. The inclusion of numerous additional characters could detract from the film's core dynamic between Holmes and Watson, though the main cast delivers strong performances throughout.

Visually, the Blu-ray release is exceptional, boasting a pristine 1080p video presentation that captures every detail with razor-sharp precision. The startling clarity and vibrant colors bring the film's varied settings to life, ensuring an immersive viewing experience. The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track adds another layer of depth, delivering crisp dialogue, robust musical scores, and dynamic sound effects that fully exploit the audio spectrum. While the special features may not be as extensive as some would hope, they are nevertheless decent and provide some worthwhile insights and behind-the-scenes content.

Overall, "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" is an entertaining and visually remarkable sequel that offers a mix of high-stakes adventure and captivating performances. While it may not fully adhere to the tone of Doyle's original stories or Moffat's BBC series, it delivers a satisfying cinematic experience. The Blu-ray's technical merits in video and audio presentation make it a worthy addition to any collection, despite some shortcomings in additional content. Fans of the genre should find plenty to enjoy here, making it a recommended purchase or rental.