We saw Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows last night.  I rate it much higher than many of the critics, and here's why.

I loved the use of classical music. The Don Giovanni scene cutting back and forth from three different simultaneous action sequences was amazing, and how cool that Prof. Moriarity can sing Schubert.   One thing maybe some critics didn't get was the way we saw the fight scenes as they played out in Holmes' head, and then how they played out in reality -- much like the way he played chess.  I think some viewers -- and even critics -- didn't get this, and found it confusing.  

 I liked the fact that the supporting characters, especially the women, were not idiots.  Mary Watson was shown helping the police with Moriarity's code, for example.  I wish I had a copy of the script -- I would love to know if the chess game was "real."  My husband said the notation they were using was an anachronism. but I thought it was period.   I loved the stop-action in the forest scene where "Little Hans" was making holes in trees and maybe in people, too.   Splendid acting on the part of all six of the major characters.  The nude scene with Mycroft was hilarious, and further developed Mary's character -- she didn't scream or faint, just kept her eyes averted in bemused shock.   

The plot was fired out in relentless speed -- but it all made sense if you payed close attention.  (Apparently some critics weren't paying close attention.)    I think this was an intellectually demanding movie -- if you missed a trick you could get lost.  Your mind had to move quickly enough to follow Holmes' and Moriarity's reasoning.   Loved it.  What more can I say?