'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows' Review: Adding Moriarty an Elementary Way to Trump Original

You can’t have a super sleuth without an equally cunning mind to measure up against.

So while it remains a mystery while the original “Sherlock Holmes” held back from bringing Professor Moriarty into focus, the film’s sequel makes sure not to repeat that mistake.

But “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” cares as much about the bromance between Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) and Watson (Jude Law) as it does thwarting the professor’s wicked plans.

The sequel, out now on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Download, finds Holmes trying to stop Moriarty (“Mad Men’s” Jared Harris) before he strikes again in true terrorist fashion.

Meanwhile, Watson is getting married, Holmes finds himself in drag and the original film’s slow-motion action sequences are used more sparingly this time around.

The sequel’s stylist flourishes can be just as maddeningly as they were the first time ’round, with director Guy Ritchie too often failing to let us luxuriate in the period costumes and settings. But the banter between the leads remains priceless, and Harris’s performance proves you don’t need a Big Name Actor to make a screen villain come to life.

The Blu-ray extras include an app that lets viewers explore some of the intricacies behind the movie shoot and a focal points feature which breaks down Holmes’ unique way of deconstruction a fight before the first punch is thrown.

“Inside the Mind of Sherlock Holmes,” hosted by Holmes himself (Downey), lets the playful actor step into the movie – literally. He offers colorful back stories on each scene, curious tangents and the kind of chit-chat that feels warm and personal. Too many Blu-ray commentaries involve massive back slapping, but Downey’s glib tone defuses that tone. We’re also given media-rich features like still galleries that heighten the experience.