Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows [DVD]

 

 

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Personally, I thought this was much better than the first! Again, though, Downey Jr. was amazing. It's good to see an American do a fairly decent British accent, probably because he doesn't overdo it. The plot is brilliant and it's tremendously directed by Guy Ritchie. It's something the whole family can enjoy! The story revolves around the investigation of a string of murders across Europe which Sherlock tries to link to Moriarty. A battle of wits between Sherlock and Moriarty is then played out. Lastly, a quick word about Stephen Fry, he was perfect for this role and it's about time he got something like this.

In 2009s Sherlock Holmes, director Guy Richie took Arthur Conan Doyle's Victorian sleuth and completely re-invented him as an action hero for a modern audience, shocking purists the world over. There were fist fights, endless banter with his faithful compatriot Dr. Watson and silly disguises galore. I liked it immediately. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows goes one step further, taking the same formula from the first film and cranking up the volume, pace and budget.

This is certainly not the Holmes we know from Conan Doyle's classic stories. There are similarities of course; his brilliant mind, his keen skills of observation, his arrogance and his experimentation with various substances that Conan Doyle's books allude to. But Conan Doyle's Holmes would never have been pursued by soldiers through a German forest while being shelled with mortar fire. I for one am glad for this `re-imagining'. We've seen plenty of Sherlock Holmes TV adaptations in the past (the best being the BBC's current adaptation, the excellent `Sherlock'), but this is a very different animal, an actioner with a huge sense of fun and adventure, not intended to be true to Conan Doyle's books in any way. The two films together represent what is surely by far and away the best spell in Richie's career as a film director.

The plot, some elements of which are drawn (so very loosely) from `The Final Problem', is almost inconsequential to the enjoyment of the film, but involves a scheme by Holmes' arch nemesis Professor Moriarty to start a war in Europe with a campaign of murders and bombings in France and Germany, his motive being profit from his investment in a huge factory developing new artillery and munitions. In the meanwhile Holmes is struggling to adapt to the prospect of a life solving mysteries and beating up crooks on his own, as Dr. Watson is about to marry Mary (Kelly Reilly) and submit to a peaceful life as a family man. But will he give up a life of excitement so easily?

Thankfully all of the main cast members that made the first film such a joy to watch are here, plus a few new additions; the excellent Stephen Fry as Holmes' self satisfied brother Mycroft, Jared Harris makes a creepy and malevolent Moriarty and The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo's Noomi Rapace appears as a gypsy fortune-teller. The chemistry between the leads Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law is still electric and their double act is thoroughly engaging. Many were originally sceptical at the casting of Downey Jr. as such a quintessentially British hero, but he has really made the role his own and puts in another highly charismatic turn, with superb comedic timing.

Richie's direction is slick, and he clearly has a great production team behind him. The action scenes are frequent and thrilling, particularly an escape from a German arms factory while chased by German soldiers and an inventive shoot-out on a moving steam train. One thing I particularly enjoy about these films is the picture of Victorian times as one of great wonder; a time when amazing advances were being made in the world of science, technology and industry and Richie never misses an opportunity to throw in some new gadget or weapon.

Shortness of plot is the films most glaring drawback, and there is not really much of a case for Holmes to `solve'; the plot is more `007' than `Sherlock Holmes'. Perhaps a little sprinkle of Conan Doyle here wouldn't have gone amiss. Jared Harris is a little underused as Moriarty until the final reel, and the same might be said of Noomi Rapace, whose presence becomes less noticeable as the film draws to its conclusion. But these are fairly minor gripes and actually barely noticeable until subsequent reflection.

It's not Holmes as we know him, for sure, but you'll struggle to find a film that is more raucously entertaining. Is it as good as 2009s Sherlock Holmes? I'll have to see it again to decide, but it's marvellous escapist entertainment nonetheless. I enjoyed it tremendously, and can't recommend it enough. 7.5/10.

I very much enjoyed this film - just as much as the first one. The only reason I gave it 4 stars rather than 5 is that the novelty has worn off (this happens to me with pretty much all sequels). Despite that, it's packed full of action and funny moments - I can't wait for the next film to come out (if there is another)!!

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3.0 out of 5 stars Copy, paste and forget the secret ingredient. Still cool...
It seems that the writers managed to detect whatever people liked from the first movie, and literally repeated that hoping to please them again. Read more

Published 12 days ago by Ariel Guerra

5.0 out of 5 stars ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT..A MUST SEE.
What a great film! even astonishing in places. The FX are brilliantly incorporated into the dark Victorian setting with great artistry. It is great fun and beautifully filmed. Read more

Published 15 days ago by Soph

5.0 out of 5 stars Quaint, British and power-packed
Quite a well done film situated at the very moment when Sherlock Holmes is supposed to die in the Alps to be resuscitated twenty years later or so by his author Sir Conna Doyle... Read more

Published 17 days ago by Jacques COULARDEAU

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Film
I loved it particularly the slow motion and other camera tricks. The forest scene near the end was outstanding. Well worth buying on blu-ray.

Published 17 days ago by Edmund Blackadder

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Film!
I saw this film twice at the cinema it was so good, and I enjoyed it just as much the second time as I did the first. Would highly recommend it to anyone!

Published 19 days ago by Mr. C. J. Deacon

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than first one
Besides the fact that the director overused slow-motion this one is better in every way than the original: more action, more humor, more suspense, a much much warmer relationship... Read more

Published 22 days ago by kurt's fan

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
HI
I have seen this movie and it is fantastic! It is as good as the first one was... i admit the plot is quite indepth but i think the slow motion in the the forest is very... Read more

Published 25 days ago by BOB

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not as good as the first one :/
The first time round this Sherlock Holmes was amazing and capitvating; however this time round its amazing and action filled just sadly not captivating. Read more

Published 25 days ago by Bruno Russell

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Continuation of a Rather Unique Take on a Legend
Too large and ambitious for it's own good at times because the plot is stretched out so far and for so long before any real explanations are given that the viewer may find... Read more

Published 1 month ago by Dickie

5.0 out of 5 stars Why so much criticism?
Okay, I for one loved this film, and the 2009 one, I really don't understand the hate for it?
I've read all of the Sherlock books and stories and yes, it's not 100% canon,... Read more

Published 1 month ago by Nicola

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