Saw the new [b]Sherlock Holmes[/b] today. It's alright. Basically more of the same. If you liked the first movie you'll at least enjoy this one. Personally I was less enthused this time around. For a movie about the world's best detective there's relatively little detecting done (at least any that the audience is invited to follow) so there are no real "a-ha!" moments that one generally expects from a mystery. In fact, there's not really any mystery at all. You know who the villain is from the outset, and when we find out what he's planning we aren't surprised. The film keeps so much of the information in the characters minds that we often don't even know who they're chasing or why, let alone have time to sort things out and try to guess what might be happening - maybe follow a red herring or two. No, we get nothing like that. Again, it's no surprise after the last movie but at least that would had you wondering how Mark Strong's villain was accomplishing his supernatural feats. No, this Sherlock Holmes is Cleric Preston from Equilibrium - he does gun-kata with his fists. Lots of people get hit, lots of things explode, lots of chase scenes and shooting. This is a loud movie so if motion and sound are what it takes to keep you entertained you could hardly pick a better movie. Nevermind that the central conflict is a chess game between two masterminds, Holmes and Moriarty. Or that the heart of the flick is Holmes' relationship with Watson. When the movie takes time to indulge those two parts of the story it buoys. The ending is pretty good and left me with a better impression than the whole of the film probably warranted. Downey Jr. is just such a good actor, it's rare to find a role or film equal to his talents. Sherlock Holmes could have been that role, perhaps in different hands from Guy Ritchie. The director of Snatch and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels is an awkward fit for these stories. When Holmes is allowed to spar with his nemesis and his friend, this is an entertaining crowd-pleaser. Unfortunately the focus remains on hyper-kinetic action sequences that aren't particularly thrilling to the senses and are even less so to the mind. 1. Drive - 8/10 2. The Adjustment Bureau - 8/10 3. Hanna - 7/10 4. Super 8 - 7/10 5. Martha Marcy May Marlene - 7/10 6. Horrible Bosses - 7/10 7. The Ward - 7/10 8. In Time - 7/10 9. Source Code - 7/10 10. Contagion - 7/10 11. The Lincoln Lawyer - 7/10 12. Limitless - 6.5/10 13. Insidious - 6/10 14. Midnight in Paris - 6/10 [b]15. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows - 6/10[/b] 16. Unknown - 6/10 17. X-Men: First Class - 5/10 18. Thor - 5/10 [b]19. Crazy, Stupid, Love - 5/10 20. Bridesmaids - 4/10[/b] 21. Conan O'Brien Can't Stop - 4/10 22. Just Go With It - 2/10