I really felt that it lacked some of the originality of the first one. Obviously as a sequel the material isn't going to seem that fresh, but there were no rolling sequences like the first one, no whirlwind-type action sequences that leave you both satisfied and begging for more.

I was glad that they limited the slo-mo preview, fast-mo execution style to instances in which Holmes did not actually get to fulfill his combat plan, and the final duel between himself and Moriarty was satisfying, if not a bit anti-climactic.

There were obvious homosexual undertones in the whole thing. Holmes dressing in drag, trying to convince Watson he's not going to love marriage nearly as much as he loves his life with Holmes, the two of them just dancing about at the ball like its no big deal... I mean, the line "Lie down with me, Watson" just made me cackle, and the film doesn't even try for a straight alibi with Holmes. He doesn't even feign interest in the gypsy chick, and his previously established love interest is killed off quite quickly, with Holmes barely batting an eye. I didn't mind the homosexuality theme - it was quite entertaining. And gutsy.

That being said, I thought the slo-mo forest-destroying-barrage-of-bullets sequence was fun to watch, and was the first real frame by frame violence we got to enjoy. I really felt like the movie picked up at that point and was a thrill ride to the end.

7.5/10 for me. First one had an 8.5/10.