Sherlock Holmes 2: Game of Shadows

[batman]

I really enjoyed the first one, it may not have been canonical but it was great fun. This one looks just as good.

[jaycad]

I've just watched 'Sherlock Holmes' for the first time and found it to be rather silly! It seems to purposely ignore or contradict the background of key characters from Conan Doyles original stories but I imagine that it's quite entertaining to the Holmesian novice.I'll watch the sequel just for the sake of it.

[batman]

I imagine that it's quite entertaining to the Holmesian novice.

It's very entertaining to the non-novice too ... and I say that as someone who has read all the of 'the canon' several times, read many, many pastiches and has a extensive collection of Holmes films and TV shows including silents, Nazi era German versions (with no English subtitles) and Russian TV versions (with English subtitles). Sure it's silly, but so are some of Doyle's original stories!

[jaycad]

It's very entertaining to the non-novice too ... and I say that as someone who has read all the of 'the canon' several times, read many, many pastiches and has a extensive collection of Holmes films and TV shows including silents, Nazi era German versions (with no English subtitles) and Russian TV versions (with English subtitles). Sure it's silly, but so are some of Doyle's original stories!

I agree that some of Conan Doyles stories are rather silly and he tended to repeat himself, I have become more tolerant with artistic licence in Sherlock Holmes related productions but when watching one I insist that the essence of both Holmes and Watson are true to the original characters and I'm afraid that Robert Downey Jnrs portrayal had little resemblance to Holmes! I didn't dislike the film but didn't really see the point in it featuring such well known characters if it didn't intend to adhere to the recognised descriptions? One plus point-I actually enjoyed the CGI 'Tower Bridge under construction'!

[batman]

I thought Downey Jr made a decent stab at the part. There were several recognisable Holmesian traits in his performance, although they did tend to get lost within all the action. Also, I thought Law was a pretty decent Watson. Neither of them will ever outshine Brett/Burke/Hardwicke, but within the context of a big budget spectacular they are probably as good as we're going to get.

[jaycad]

I thought Downey Jr made a decent stab at the part. There were several recognisable Holmesian traits in his performance, although they did tend to get lost within all the action. Also, I thought Law was a pretty decent Watson. Neither of them will ever outshine Brett/Burke/Hardwicke, but within the context of a big budget spectacular they are probably as good as we're going to get.

I'd add Douglas Wilmer/Peter Cushing/Nigel Stock to that list but,yes,Jude Law wasn't bad-his portrayal reminded me of Ian Harts Watson but with the humour which Hart lacked.

[batman]

I am not a fan of Nigel Stock's Watson .... a bit too Nigel Bruce-ish to be credible alongside two such superb portrayals of Holmes.

[didi-5]

I love Sherlock Holmes adaptations but the Downey one left me cold - I thought he was a grubby generic action hero with no redeeming features. Jude Law as Watson wasn't bad though. I suppose I will eventually watch the sequel but much prefer the BBC modern version which pressed almost all the right buttons (black mark for a silly Moriarty).

[Timmy_Lea]

Disappointing lack of Stephen Fry in the trailer. . .

[Scorpio]

i absolutely hated the 1st movie - i think Downey Jnr comes across as terrible as Depps portrayal of Aberline in, From Hell..................all in all, both were marginally better than Dick Van Dykes Cockney in Mary Poppins

just my opinion though

[CaptainWaggett]

Sherlock vs Sherlock

[dremble wedge]

Sherlock vs Sherlock

The Guy Ritchie film definitely wins when it comes to Moriarty

He's got a proper Moriarty. Shadowy, bearded, murderous, riding a sleigh in a top hat three times as tall as his head and played by everyone's favourite Mad Men actor. The BBC, meanwhile, has to make do with a shrieking Graham Norton type who apparently kills people by annoying them to death.

Think Steven Moffat must have been busy with Doctor Who when he came round to 'writing' that bit

[Timmy_Lea]

The Guy Ritchie film definitely wins when it comes to Moriarty

He's got a proper Moriarty. Shadowy, bearded, murderous, riding a sleigh in a top hat three times as tall as his head and played by everyone's favourite Mad Men actor. The BBC, meanwhile, has to make do with a shrieking Graham Norton type who apparently kills people by annoying them to death.

Think Steven Moffat must have been busy with Doctor Who when he came round to 'writing' that bit

True, the Moriarty in the BBC show was awful, a real letdown.

[batman]

Game of Shadows also has Noomi Rapace in it, which is fine by me.

[Timmy_Lea]

TV spots

[Timmy_Lea]

Moriarty!

[DB7]

They've now hired a writer for a third instalment.

[jaycad]

They've now hired a writer for a third instalment.

The 'Napoleon of Crime' seems to have a novel tactic to defeat our hero.

[Timmy_Lea]

Well if you didn’t like the first one, you won’t like this! It’s basically more of the same, a bit more self indulgent but a fun romp. Jared Harris is excellent as Moriarty, Fry good as Mycroft (naked for some reason at one point) & the plot does its job getting our heroes from one location to the next in between buddy banter & explosions. The final confrontation between Holmes & Moriarty is great, a nice nod to The Final Problem.

[mallee59]

will be interesting to see this one, quite enjoyed the first one. Bit like the TV series as it gives a slightly different take on it but just watch them for entertainment value