Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

[Raiden]

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

How about for the third movie, they adapt the story of The Adventure of the Final Problem (and a resolution of the Holmes and Moriarty's conflict)?

 

[Superhero 101]

Oh that would be really cool if the bring it to america

 

[Eddie Dean]

a fairly average script by Kieran and Michelle Culkin

Wait a second...

 

[Angel_Faerie]

How about for the third movie, they adapt the story of The Adventure of the Final Problem (and a resolution of the Holmes and Moriarty's conflict)?

I thought they already sort of got into that with the whole final confrontation between the two in Switzerland.

 

[Tony Stark]

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.

As I said, Avatar probably helped the first one. i.e. bigger pie, therefore bigger piece of the pie.

Also the reviews were pretty tepid for this one, mostly because critics hate Guy Ritchie.

 

[TheDragonator]

I confess that, during a certain point in the film, I declared fairly loudly 'There's no kill like overkill!'

I think you all know the point I'm talking about.

 

[Slushy]

I'm glad to hear Harris's performance was riveting.

I was worried for him given the high expectations for playing Holmes' greatest nemesis going into the film.

Not bad for a guy who played Will Robinson!

 

[HighFivingMF]

I'm glad to hear Harris's performance was riveting.

I was worried for him given the high expectations for playing Holmes' greatest nemesis going into the film.

Not bad for a guy who played Will Robinson!

Whenever I described the movie to friends I had to say "The news boss from Mr. Deeds"

 

[mr. peasant]

Overall, I like the movie in and of itself. However, while the pacing and narrative were pretty exciting, the problem I have with it is that as a 'Sherlock Holmes movie' (especially in comparison to the original), I thought it could have been much better.

Firstly, there is the overall lack of any mystery of any complexity. Indeed, as soon as the [blackout]bombings and murder of the cotton, opium and steel magnates[/blackout] were mentioned, I accurately guessed Moriarty's scheme and means of execution. Speaking of which, there wasn't much mystery as to his identity either; which I found disappointing after all that build-up and mystique surrounding him in the first movie. Given the setting and lack of easily-accessible information, it would actually have been quite conceivable for there being much confirmed information or graphical depictions of Moriarty despite being a notable lecturer.

Another issue I have is that the movie has quite a number of loose ends left unresolved.

Spoiler

Despite beating Moriarty, neither his assassination attempt was not stopped; which leads to the question of if war was averted (or for those aware of history, what delayed World War I for another decade and a half?). Another thing was how Moriarty's No. 2 escaped capture with no one seemingly trying to find him, or even being aware that he even existed. Also (though I may have simply missed the detail), what information did Simza's (the gypsy girl) brother send her that led to Moriarty sending an assassin for her? For that matter, what led Holmes to her in the first place?

And lastly, I felt the characters this time around had less chemistry with one another and the new characters generally being less charismatic/memorable this time around. Worse, many of these old characters were removed to make way for the new ones. While Mycroft and Moriarty were pretty good, they don't hold a candle to the antagonistic banter of Holmes and Lestrade or the threateningness of Blackwood. Moreover, I felt Simza was far less defined a character than Irene Adler. Sure, she had her little subplot of [blackout]finding her brother[/blackout] but that got glossed over really quickly at the end.

 

[Quasimod0]

Loved the movie. Didn't really have any serious issues with it. I found it to be really enjoyable and better than the first

 

[Balthus Dire]

Overall, I like the movie in and of itself. However, while the pacing and narrative were pretty exciting, the problem I have with it is that as a 'Sherlock Holmes movie' (especially in comparison to the original), I thought it could have been much better.

Firstly, there is the overall lack of any mystery of any complexity. Indeed, as soon as the [blackout]bombings and murder of the cotton, opium and steel magnates[/blackout] were mentioned, I accurately guessed Moriarty's scheme and means of execution. Speaking of which, there wasn't much mystery as to his identity either; which I found disappointing after all that build-up and mystique surrounding him in the first movie. Given the setting and lack of easily-accessible information, it would actually have been quite conceivable for there being much confirmed information or graphical depictions of Moriarty despite being a notable lecturer.

Another issue I have is that the movie has quite a number of loose ends left unresolved.

Spoiler

Despite beating Moriarty, neither his assassination attempt was not stopped; which leads to the question of if war was averted (or for those aware of history, what delayed World War I for another decade and a half?). Another thing was how Moriarty's No. 2 escaped capture with no one seemingly trying to find him, or even being aware that he even existed. Also (though I may have simply missed the detail), what information did Simza's (the gypsy girl) brother send her that led to Moriarty sending an assassin for her? For that matter, what led Holmes to her in the first place?

And lastly, I felt the characters this time around had less chemistry with one another and the new characters generally being less charismatic/memorable this time around. Worse, many of these old characters were removed to make way for the new ones. While Mycroft and Moriarty were pretty good, they don't hold a candle to the antagonistic banter of Holmes and Lestrade or the threateningness of Blackwood. Moreover, I felt Simza was far less defined a character than Irene Adler. Sure, she had her little subplot of [blackout]finding her brother[/blackout] but that got glossed over really quickly at the end.

I agree with pretty much everything you said. Personally, I just didn't find the story to Sherlock 2 particularly engaging. The first one had a great story and a legitimate "case" for Sherlock to solve, while this one was kind of a muddled mess. IMO, as with many sequels, they tried to go "bigger" and lost a lot of great things along the way.

Though, like I said before, it still wasn't a bad movie or anything. I just expected more.

 

[Doctor Jones]

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

I forgot about that possibility. I'd definitely love to see that. Maybe Eastern too.

 

[childeroland]

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

So

Spoiler

Moriarty

says.

 

[lespaul59]

So

Spoiler

Moriarty

says.

Exactly

Spoiler

If Holmes would have found her body I would have no problem believing Irene was dead.

Also

Spoiler

If they are really talking about doing a third movie in America the fact Irene's death was never really confirmed and the fact that she's from New Jersey some what sets up a reason for Holmes to go to America.

Just something I thought of while I was reading about the book versions of the characters.

 

[jacobed]

Spoiler

I really wish they'd have Moriarty return for the 3rd one. He was so phenomenal in this movie and I just need more

 

[terry78]

I know they already somewhat did a supernatural turn in the first one, but a Hound of the Baskervilles type thing would be a route I want to see them go.

 

[marvelman2006]

Am I the only one who will watch robert in anything post zodiac? He seems to have refined his acting skills and since zodiac. He just has a presence about him that makes you want to watch him. Hes one of the few actors that makes it fun to go see his movies and he rarely goes over the top.

 

[GregComicFan]

Wouldn't the next logical step for a sequel include Sherlock Holmes traveling to "Gotham City" to face-off against "The Batman", the World's Greatest Detective?

Although, in the end, Holmes realizes "The Riddler" was framing 'The Batman"... and Holmes and "The Batman" join forces to defeat this terrible menace, "The Riddler"...(ps. "The Riddler" is a villain who uses riddles to fool the authorities. Supposedly, "The Batman" is a playboy billionaire who moonlights as a vigilante, or something like that...)

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

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.

I don't think the first one was as well liked as the fanboys believed it was. I believe that most of this slump is about this year having tons of unappealing movies to the general public. I believe that, that is 98% of the problem actually. The economy thing is something that hollywood tosses out whenever people don't go to the movies, somehow it's never about the movies themselves.

The movie should still recover somewhat but it will not build off of the first film. 150mil is going to be what WB is praying for.

 

[Angel_Faerie]

So

Spoiler

Moriarty

says.

Spoiler

I thought he poisoned her tea and just told Holmes that

 

[xwolverine2]

the critics are insane!...this movie was incredible!
everything about it was superior to the first one, and i looved the first one. Not sure wth critics problems are with sequels...but they need to stop doing that... i went to see MI4 instead of this because it had a higher rating.


the guy who played moriarty was perfectly sinister!... and the final "battle" was superbly done...

its easily the smartest movie of the year...and i loved MI4 but the action scenes in sherlock are more memorable than MI4

if i had one nitpick it would be noomi rapace's character, she was there purely for plot reasons, a waste of a great actress... but thats really nothing.

just one question, did irene adler

Spoiler

really die?... im assuming maybe in a sequel they will reveal sherlock was behind her faked death so that moriarty wouldnt target her... and he was sad later on because he sent her far away or something. i just dont think they would bring her back just to kill her and not leave a body.

this movie had everything, and did it with style.

i never liked guy ritchie but after these Holmes films he's definatly on my radar

 

[Marvolo]

Spoiler

I thought he poisoned her tea and just told Holmes that

That is what I thought too. I can't believe people actually believed she had TB lol. Moriarty is a manipulative mastermind who had many people killed. I think its pretty obvious he poisoned her.

 

[DACrowe]

I don't think the first one was as well liked as the fanboys believed it was. I believe that most of this slump is about this year having tons of unappealing movies to the general public. I believe that, that is 98% of the problem actually. The economy thing is something that hollywood tosses out whenever people don't go to the movies, somehow it's never about the movies themselves.

The movie should still recover somewhat but it will not build off of the first film. 150mil is going to be what WB is praying for.

I think the economy is hurting the smaller, more creative pieces from catching fire. At the same time I think this year is a lot weaker in the department than last year, thus that probably plays a role.

When it comes to the tentpoles and blockbusters, like SH2, I think you're 100 percent right on the public just not caring.

 

[childeroland]

Spoiler

I thought he poisoned her tea and just told Holmes that

Spoiler

I got the impression that he was telling Holmes he poisoned her with a rare dose of TB, or that's what an autopsy would tell a coroner. But Holmes never checks his story, as far as I know, though Moriarty gives him her bloodied handkerchief. I guess Holmes could have tested the blood, and while he might have picked up the TB, how would he know it was her blood and not someone else's he put on the handkerchief--assuming the cloth isn't a fake? If I were Holmes, I'd want to check the body, and if Moriarty poisoned her so that a coroner wouldn't suspect murder--why kill her with TB otherwise--the professor should have been able to produce it.

 

[Schlosser85]

I thought this movie was mostly the same as the first one, which to me meant both an entertaining ride and a little overly "busy".

I did think Moriarty was a better villain than Blackwood. My favorite part was how they both mentally plot their fight out ahead of time.