Wow, no comment on this board since July? Not a very anticipated sequel? Anywho, although I was skeptical about the quality of this movie, that it would be more action-oriented than the first instead of a decent plot/story, I enjoyed it just as much, if not moreso. Before seeing this film I did something I rarely do; read some reviews and info about the story in if/how it relates to any original stories. I found that while it primarily comes from The Final Problem it also shows aspects from several other stories.
I felt Jared Harris as Moriarty was a fine choice but IMO it was a mistake for him and Holmes to meet so early in the movie. Although we (the audience) are informed that Holmes has been on the trail of Moriarty before the events of this movie, I saw no reason for them to meet other than to move the story along. IIRC they didn't meet until late in TFP because Moriarty would frequently use messengers or doubles, and I think this tactic would add more suspence in the movie as well.
Moriarty's henchman, who is apparently the greatest English marksman of the Afghan War, describes a Mauser C96 (broomhandle) to Holmes as the first "machine pistol". The first was actually the Borchardt C-93, only fully-automatic handguns were referred to as "machine pistols", and the C96 didn't use a magazine to load as we see in the movie. Also, at least two times a poison was used that seemed to kill in about a minute and I don't think there's any such substance that works quite that fast.
One part of the plot that I didn't quite understand was how the French gypsy-lady was getting messages from her brother to begin with? Homles intercepts a note intended for her from Rachel's character of the last movie, but it seemed that it was going to her anyway so Holmes getting it was essential for him to stay in the "game" with Moriarty. Either I'm misreading that part or it was much too contrived. Either way, it was an enjoyable film and if you liked the first I would recommend this one.
I saw it. Thought it was great. Just didn't have any comments to make about it. It's better than most of the films I've seen this year.