Sherlock Holmes is back again in the second installment of (what has now become) the Sherlock Holmes series. In this incarnation, Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) borders on some type of superhero whose “power” is his brilliant mind. Not only is Holmes able to solve mysteries and think up elaborate schemes, but, if found in a threatening situation, he is also a formidable opponent in a fight – all of which is attributed to his uncanny ability to think ahead and stay several steps ahead of his adversaries. Jude Law plays Dr. Watson, his “sidekick” whose added intellect serves as the yin to Holmes’ yang.

At the opening of this film, Watson is about to get married and begin a quiet life away from his former escapades with Holmes when (of course) the two find themselves entangled in a mystery that requires Watson to join Holmes for “one last adventure.” The refreshingly unpredictable plot moves almost as fast as Holmes’ mind from beginning to end – and, if you turn away for a second, you might miss a crucial piece of information.

Although it may be easy for critics to dismiss this kind of film, the truth is that it is made very well – from the careful attention to period-specific details in dialogue, set and costume design to Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law’s perfect comedic timing to Guy Ritchie’s artistic vision. The film is laced with slow motion action scenes that have become a signature of sorts for Ritchie and the Sherlock series but that are shot beautifully. And, in this refreshing departure from the many flicks that simply tell audiences how a mystery was solved, Ritchie opts to show them – leading audiences to Holmes’ conclusions on their own through careful and artistic direction.

As cliché as it may sound, “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” truly has something for everyone and, in an unusual twist, just might be better than its predecessor.