Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

[bullets]

I loved the line "dangerous at both ends and crafty in the middle".

I enjoyed this on the level if not more than the first film. I hope they can continue to do a third. Also Watson's wife was a better character then Naomi. Aside from the gypsy everyone owned their roles.

 

[Marvolo]

To answer some questions:

Spoiler

Sim was at Holmes' funeral/memorial to pay her respect. It was a bit of a sad ending for her though considering her brother got killed and his killer got away.

Also Moran survived. Moran survived the cannon blast and chased Holmes and Watson and their Gypsy friends out of the factory and shot one of the gypsies. He was in Switzerland for the peace conference and he was the one that killed Renee, Sim's brother. Watson tried to help Renee and saw Moran and likely figured out he was the assassin that killed Renee. Moran escaped without ever being caught.

As for Holmes' survival, it's a bit of a mystery since that was a rough fall and freezing cold water. However, the package mailed to Watson was Mycroft's oxygen inhaler. The device was setup when they went to Mycroft's cabin in Switzerland. Holmes likely had it on his person and used that so he didn't drown. I imagine he thought ahead and knew how to brace himself and survive the fall and brave the water. Maybe he even had people to help him and prepare for him down below over the edge. Holmes' is a chess player and he always like to think several moves ahead so it's likely he planned the fall.

I thought the ending to the movie was perfect. I loved it.

And the cast does have great chemistry. I also really like Kelly Reilly as Mary and how she sort of begrudgingly accepts Holmes and Watson's relationship.

Spoiler

There is no way to brace for a fall from that height. Water becomes like concrete from a height like that, and with the rocks being jagged and jutting out the chances of him not hitting a rock before the water are slim to none. Especially when you factor in his trajectory and the way he tumbled over the rail instead of a clean jump. Holmes would have died. Movie magic and all that, tho. I'm glad they kept it like the book, however, even if his survival requires some serious suspension of disbelief. It was a wonderful ending for a fun movie.

 

[QBComics]

I loved the hell out of this movie. Beginning was a little cheesy, and I thought, excluding the train scene, the movie didn't kick off until after the dance scene with the gypsies. I thought it was a really great thrill ride, with some epic set pieces, and Zimmer brought it again. I mean, my God, that forest scene mixed with the score = pure sex. Jared Harris was incredible as Moriarty, really sold the character.

Spoiler

I was also shocked at the torture scene, that was pretty ballsy. In regards to the ending, of course it's hard to believe Holmes would have survived, but who really wants to see him die?

Sad to see this opened disappointingly, but I suppose some factors can be taken in to credit (people traveling this weekend to families, saving to go see it on Christmas, etc.), so I'm suspecting stronger legs as it continues through December.

 

[flickchick85]

Just got back, and I really enjoyed it. Not necessarily more than the 1st one and of the two movies I saw this weekend I definitely preferred M:I4, but this was still a grand ol' time at the movies.

I do hope they keep making these movies. The chemistry of the cast is really what makes them - I loved Kelly Reilly's role this time around, and Stephen Fry was a lovely addition. I'm not so much worried about what plot they could use for the next one as long as they keep this team together.

 

[Marvolo]

I loved the hell out of this movie. Beginning was a little cheesy, and I thought, excluding the train scene, the movie didn't kick off until after the dance scene with the gypsies. I thought it was a really great thrill ride, with some epic set pieces, and Zimmer brought it again. I mean, my God, that forest scene mixed with the score = pure sex. Jared Harris was incredible as Moriarty, really sold the character.

Spoiler

I was also shocked at the torture scene, that was pretty ballsy. In regards to the ending, of course it's hard to believe Holmes would have survived, but who really wants to see him die?

Sad to see this opened disappointingly, but I suppose some factors can be taken in to credit (people traveling this weekend to families, saving to go see it on Christmas, etc.), so I'm suspecting stronger legs as it continues through December.

Spoiler

I didn't want to see him die, but I did want the illusion properly maintained. My audience gasped when he went over the rail, cause they thought Holmes would find a way out. They didn't expect him to take himself with Moriarty. You could hear a pin drop in the audience. They bought it, and with the fall being so substantial it was easy to play off the possibility of death which they succeeded at. Then just have the package arrive and the breathing apparatus implies Holmes survived. Not actually show Holmes, but this isn't disappointment. I was just genuinely surprised they actually showed Holmes instead of only implying his survival.

And I agree, the torture scene was not something I expected. Holmes took a beating in this movie.

 

[moviedoors]

I was pleasantly surprised. I mostly went to see the new Batman trailer and Holmes turned out to be not half bad. I wasn't a fan of the first one, but this worked. It felt a little flabby, could have used more Moriarty, and Rapace was basically window dressing, but it got better and better as it went along. I loved the think-off at the end.

 

[Tony Stark]

I thought the movie was excellent, at least on part if not better than the first. Jared Harris was excellent as Moriarty, and the scenes between him and Downey were excellent.

I can't explain the low box office other than perhaps the idiots panning the movie in the press drove away business, but if you liked the first one you'll certainly like this one.

8.5/10 for me.

 

[DACrowe]

10 million is a rather sizable drop. Perhaps people had a revitalized interest in Cinema back in the historic December of 2009.

Attendance in 2011 has been down overall. Still $10 million is a huge drop when sequels usually open higher--and MI4 on 400 screens is no Avatar.

My guess is many GA didn't really love SH1 and saw SH2 looked like more of the same. It's honestly a referendum on the last movie.

 

[Fanticon]

interesting that this is considered disappointing for holmes2, it's released over a week earlier than the previous film which opened on christmas day in 2009, which fell on a weekend...it also has direct counter programming competition once again from Alvin and The Chipmunks, and to top it off it is going head to head with MI4 next week which will be the real test. I think it's going to do great all the way through the new year, and one thing about SH1 is that it had good legs. But again seriously unfortunate about the MI4 situation...it was fantastic and will probably have pretty good word of mouth. I can't wait to see Holmes2 but was certainly surprised at how much I enjoyed MI4.

 

[KenK]

Don't know if I'd consider it an improvement over the first one, but it was definitely enjoyable. Great performances, especially Jared Harris as Moriarty.

Spoiler

I wondered why McAdams didn't get any billing in the trailers, despite appearing in them. Was sad to see her get killed off.

Spoiler

Yeah, the impact of that fall definitely should have killed Holmes, and realizing this was taken from the books, I genuinely believe they had killed him off. But yeah, once I saw the breathing apparatus, I realized they'd never kill him off as far as these movies are concerned, and it made for a great moment with him disguising himself in the chair in Watson's officer!!! t:

 

[Secret Fawful]

I loved this way more than the first movie. Way way way way more. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more.

 

[childeroland]

Don't know if I'd consider it an improvement over the first one, but it was definitely enjoyable. Great performances, especially Jared Harris as Moriarty.

Spoiler

I wondered why McAdams didn't get any billing in the trailers, despite appearing in them. Was sad to see her get killed off.

Spoiler

Yeah, the impact of that fall definitely should have killed Holmes, and realizing this was taken from the books, I genuinely believe they had killed him off. But yeah, once I saw the breathing apparatus, I realized they'd never kill him off as far as these movies are concerned, and it made for a great moment with him disguising himself in the chair in Watson's officer!!! t:

I doubt

Spoiler

she's really dead.

Does Sherlock Holmes ever ascertain Moriarty's statement by

Spoiler

looking for the body

? I think the producers have left things open in case they want

Spoiler

McAdams back

.

 

[lespaul59]

I doubt

Spoiler

she's really dead.

Does Sherlock Holmes ever ascertain Moriarty's statement by

Spoiler

looking for the body

? I think the producers have left things open in case they want

Spoiler

McAdams back

.

I was actually surprised by this myself and agree with what you said.

Personaly I think this movie is at least as good as the first one. I hope to go see it again this coming weekend. I think with at least one more view I would feel better about saying it's better than the first one. I give GOS a 10/10 and it's probaly the best movie I've seen this year.

 

[echostation]

um she had a rare form of TB... pretty incurable... she's dead... period

 

[Superhero 101]

So how much will this one make based off of the Box Office?
I have a feeling around 300-350 million WW
150 Domestic
200 Foreign

 

[Tony Stark]

Attendance in 2011 has been down overall. Still $10 million is a huge drop when sequels usually open higher--and MI4 on 400 screens is no Avatar.

My guess is many GA didn't really love SH1 and saw SH2 looked like more of the same. It's honestly a referendum on the last movie.

Sounds like you're making crap up. It underperformed, but this is going to have decent legs.

BTW Avatar didn't take away audience it probably helped the first one.

 

[Tony Stark]

I loved this way more than the first movie. Way way way way more. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay more.

I completely agree, and I thought the first one was brilliant.

 

[nightwing06]

Just as fun as the first Sherlock film ,with the great banter between Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.)and Dr. Watson (Jude Law).Equally great the introduction of Holmes
arch enemy Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris).
The story is a bit drawn out at times,and the much hyped inclusion of actress Noomi Rapace as a fortune telling gypsy named Sim
is just that...hype.She's not given much to do, but watch the two male leads do their thing.Hopefully she will fare better in the upcoming Prometheus.Im not even sure why they bothered to bring back Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler.
Actress Kelly Reilly who portrays Dr. Watson's wife Mary is actually given more to do.
The slow motion shots are ok but after awhile start to become a bit annoying.
But the film is made watchable by all 3 male leads who seem to be having a great time.
Scale of 1-10 an 8

 

[marvelman2006]

I just attribute this to the last weekend before christmas and people just didnt have time to go to the movies. The movie was fine it made decent money, I wouldnt be surprised if it has legs once christmas is over. I always thought it was stupid to release a movie around this time with everyone doing mad christmas shopping and traveling.

 

[The Guard]

Loved it. It's a mess, but its a wonderful mess. Not as deep a film as the first, at least in terms of character development, but its no less satisfying, and is definitely a worthy sequel. Once again, a good director and a great cast elevates a fairly average script by Kieran and Michelle Culkin that does have some great moments and dialogue. Downey and Law are superb again, slipping right back into their respective roles, and playing them to perfection, and their "bromance" is even more hilarious this time around. Jared Harris absolutely nails Moriarty. Intelligent, soothing, even pleasant, his character subtleties make a relatively straightforward character quite memorable, and he's definitely one of the year's best villains. Kelly Reilly gets some nice moments as Watson's wife. Noomi Rapace does a decent job in a supporting role, and Stephen Fry is hilarious as the somewhat awkward Mycroft Holmes. Paul Anderson also does a nice job as Moriarty's right hand man, and they manage to give Eddie Marsan's Inspector LeStrade a moment.

Holmes' various methods and disguises are on full display once more. There's enough rapid-fire deduction and mystery to satisfy, though admittedly bit less than the first movie. This film's mystery largely focuses on the chess game between Holmes and Moriarty, and the way Holmes unwraps it, yet still manages to fail somehow again and again. In other words, it's kind of a mystery within a mystery of a sort. The action is again fantastic. More wonderful deductive combat sequences, some with amusing and interesting twists.

I wasn't real thrilled with

Spoiler

the rather awkwardly handled death of Irene Adler. Could have sworn she would have come back at the end.

I loved the fact that

Spoiler

Moriarty effectively succeeded in his plans, even when Sherlock though he'd stopped him.

And I am thrilled that

Spoiler

they went there at Reichenbach, and the context of the act.

 

[Doctor Jones]

One of my favorite moments was

Spoiler

Holmes saying "I made a mistake." When he went to the opera instead of the hotel. You genuinally feel that when he says it.

 

[Symbiotic]

My favorite exchange in the whole movie.

Watson: "You're drinking embalming fluid."
Holmes: "Oooh, yes."

 

[Balthus Dire]

I absolutely love the first one, and while I didn't think this was a bad film by any means, it was nowhere near as good as the first IMO.

 

[DACrowe]

Sounds like you're making crap up. It underperformed, but this is going to have decent legs.

BTW Avatar didn't take away audience it probably helped the first one.

It opened significantly lower than the first film (usually considered a bad start for a sequel) when it had less direct competition--400 MI4 screens is not the equivalent of the most successful film of all time still being at the height of its run. So it is either underperforming simply because 2011 has been a bad year for the box office or because people didn't respond to the trailers and/or the first film.

It's not rocket science.

 

[HighFivingMF]

I actually don't know what they could do with a third film right now.

I thought I remembered hearing something about taking the third to America.