Post by: Dragonfire on December 21, 2011, 07:56:11 AM
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51bzetxaFML._AA160_.jpg)
I've been wanting to see this movie since before I knew what it would be about. I loved the first one - I even watched it again recently. I've seen other Sherlock Holmes movies, and the wonderful Sherlock - Season 1 since I first saw Sherlock Holmes in 2009, so I've seen more versions of the character - and Watson now. I still love this version of the characters.
I've only read one of the Sherlock stories...I have a book with most of them, but I can't remember where I put it. I need to find it and read more of the stories. I don't know for sure, but I think at least some of the story elements were pulled from one of the Sherlock stories.
This plot for this movie isn't directly tied to the first movie, but it definitely builds on what was established in it. Irene Adler returns, though only briefly. I'm not that .....pleased with how her part of the story is handled, though it does make sense for the movie. Professor Moriarty is front and center as the villain. It is set up like Sherlock has been tracking him for a while, tying different crimes to him. The two do meet face to face only a few times, but those meetings are very well done. Yes it is known from very early that Moriarty is the main villain - the trailers make that very clear - but I don't think that hurts the movie. The audience even knows something before Sherlock this time. I like the plot and think it is very entertaining. I also loved how Watson's wedding is added into the mix, along with how Sherlock is trying to deal with the changes to his friendship with Watson. It is clear that he is sad about the thought of him and Watson not working together anymore.
Some people may be disappointed that the mystery isn't stronger, but I think it is still very entertaining. Even while knowing that Moriarty is pulling all sorts of strings and manipulating various things, it takes a little while for the big picture to become clear. I really like that Moriarty is just as smart as Sherlock and I think that gives Sherlock more of a challenge and ultimately makes the story stronger. There is suspense in a few scenes, as well as some action scenes. The action scenes are done well. Sherlock fights again at different times, while still using his intelligence to deal with most situations. The movie has the same amazing look as the first movie, with new locations used. One late in the movie really looks amazing. I know special effects are used again, but I don't feel like they dominate what is going on. The humor is back as well, again mostly from the way that Watson and Sherlock interact. I love their friendship and how they bicker over little things at times. Sherlock shows off a few more disguises, including as a woman at one point. Watson and Mary's reactions to that disguise is very amusing. We get to see that Sherlock has another issue when he won't ride a horse, another humorous scene.
The characters are wonderful and I love how Sherlock and Watson act with each other. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are great in the parts. They have a good chemistry together that makes the relationship between Sherlock and Watson that much stronger. Mycroft turns up in a few scenes and I really liked Stephen Fry in the part. It would have been nice if he had a little more to do. Mary is limited to a few scenes again, so she isn't as developed, but she seems nice. She still has some issues with Sherlock. Simza is a new character tied to what is going on. She is a gypsy fortune teller. She is interesting, though she could have been a little more developed. Moriarty is a good addition to the movie and he makes a good foil to Sherlock.
This movie is a lot of fun, like the first one. In some ways, I think this movie is a bit better. It is definitely worth seeing.
I did get a review posted on Epinions if anyone wants to check it out.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (http://www.epinions.com/review/sherlock-holmes-a-game-of-shadows/content_573501902468)
Post by: Achim on December 23, 2011, 05:09:10 AM
Yes it is known from very early that Moriarty is the main villain - the trailers make that very clear - but I don't think that hurts the movie.
(click to show/hide)
Mark Kermode gave quite a favorable review last week as well, particularly pointing out that the relationship between Holmes and Watson is the center piece of the film.
Post by: Dragonfire on December 23, 2011, 08:04:48 PM
Yes it is known from very early that Moriarty is the main villain - the trailers make that very clear - but I don't think that hurts the movie.(click to show/hide)
Mark Kermode gave quite a favorable review last week as well, particularly pointing out that the relationship between Holmes and Watson is the center piece of the film.
(click to show/hide)
I'd agree with that...the relationship between Holmes and Watson is great and one of the best things about the movie. I just love how they interact with each other, especially when Watson is aggravated. :laugh: It's just so entertaining to see him get annoyed by Sherlock.
Post by: Mustrum_Ridcully on December 26, 2011, 10:32:51 PM
Have to agree that it's better than the first part.
Still I would have expected much more from the cooperation of Downey, Jr., Law and Ritchie. But at least Downey, Jr can show us of what he is capable.
In fact he does this so good that for very big parts this movie looks like a One-Man-Show.
Overall I'd say it's entertaining, but nothing special. A (http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/4536/threestar.jpg)
Post by: MEJHarrison on December 27, 2011, 08:55:50 PM
Watched it today in my local cinema.
Have to agree that it's better than the first part.
Still I would have expected much more from the cooperation of Downey, Jr., Law and Ritchie. But at least Downey, Jr can show us of what he is capable.
In fact he does this so good that for very big parts this movie looks like a One-Man-Show.
Overall I'd say it's entertaining, but nothing special. A (http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/4536/threestar.jpg)
That's probably closer to how I felt. I also thought some of the story telling devices, while quite neat, weren't always effective. I don't mind a movie that makes me think. But I prefer to contemplate the story they're telling, not the telling of the story.
Still, it was a blast and will be fun to watch them both when it's released. I pretty much love all Sherlock. Especially the BBC series Sherlock! ;D
Post by: Achim on December 28, 2011, 05:01:03 AM
I pretty much love all Sherlock. Especially the BBC series Sherlock! ;DYes! UK DVD is released at end of Januray. I am very much looking forward to that.
Post by: Dragonfire on December 28, 2011, 08:44:07 AM
I pretty much love all Sherlock. Especially the BBC series Sherlock! ;DYes! UK DVD is released at end of Januray. I am very much looking forward to that.
Is that a second season? I loved the first one. I have no idea when more episodes will be out though.
Post by: Achim on December 28, 2011, 09:50:13 AM
Is that a second season? I loved the first one. I have no idea when more episodes will be out though.Yes, second season! DVD release date is January 23, 2012 and Amazon sells it (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sherlock-2-DVD-Benedict-Cumberbatch/dp/B005UL537Y/) for £12.99. Series 1 was region locked though.
Post by: Dragonfire on December 28, 2011, 10:14:41 AM
Post by: samuelrichardscott on December 28, 2011, 10:18:28 AM
Saying that, e-mail Amazon and ask them to price match. They will say they do not 'price match' but will still match it. :laugh:
Post by: MEJHarrison on December 28, 2011, 07:15:17 PM
Post by: Najemikon on December 29, 2011, 03:11:57 AM
Post by: Achim on December 29, 2011, 05:23:33 AM
It's not been screened yet. BBC DVDs normally appear about halfway to a third way through the run on TV.You mean the announcement or the release?
Well, it's maybe only three episodes again, so they might air throughout the first three weeks of January followed directly by the DVD release...?
Post by: samuelrichardscott on December 29, 2011, 05:26:50 AM
Quote
Three-part BBC mini-series of the BBC's fast-paced modernised crime drama based on the characters created by Arthur Conan Doyle. Laptops, mobile phones and the internet are the new tools for crime in a modern London under threat from serial killers, bombings and gang warfare. Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch), the most brilliant intellect of his generation, has a unique analytical brain unlike anyone else's, and staves off the ever-present threat of boredom by solving crimes, the more intricate and baffling the better. Meanwhile, his friend and flatmate, John Watson (Martin Freeman), is an army doctor invalided home from the battlefields of Afghanistan. Episodes comprise: 'A Scandal in Belgravia', 'The Hounds of Baskerville' and 'The Reichenbach Fall'.
First episode airs January 1st 2020hours - 2150hours here. Never seen it but members of my family raved about the first series also. I'm always so far behind with tv shows (as in years :laugh:).
Release date is the 2nd January.
Post by: Achim on December 29, 2011, 05:35:51 AM
First episode airs January 1st 2020hours - 2150hours here. Never seen it but members of my family raved about the first series also. I'm always so far behind with tv shows (as in years :laugh:).But Amzon still says January 23rd for both DVD and Blu-ray...(?)
Release date is the 2nd January.
Post by: samuelrichardscott on December 29, 2011, 05:40:20 AM
http://www.bbcshop.com/invt/BBCBD0167?cm_mmc=Buyat-_-Affiliate-_-Online-_-Buyat&source=buyat
Post by: Najemikon on December 29, 2011, 01:12:07 PM
Post by: Achim on December 30, 2011, 06:32:57 AM
I'd be surprised if it was the 2nd. Considering bank holidays over new year, ordering online would be impossible for that date and pre-orders would have half a chance of arriving tomorrow, before the show had been broadcast at all! I'd forgotten it was only a three parter, so it will certainly be a quicker release than usual, but still. The day after? :hmmmm:I guess you clicked reply on page 1, not seeing Sam's post?
Above your post he already linked to the BBC where the Amozon's release date (1/23) is confirmed to be correct.
Post by: Najemikon on December 30, 2011, 03:16:21 PM
Post by: Najemikon on January 07, 2012, 10:42:54 PM
Post by: Dragonfire on January 08, 2012, 04:33:58 AM
I finally found something online last night that said the second season of Sherlock will air over here starting in May..not on BBC America, but it seems like on PBS as part of the Masterpiece Mystery.
Post by: Najemikon on January 08, 2012, 01:02:39 PM
Post by: goodguy on January 08, 2012, 02:31:04 PM
... but the new series is just so bloody good. Its Hound of the Baskervilles tonight. :yahoo:
Hopefully, it doesn't slump again after the opener as it did in S1. But I agree, Scandal in Belgravia was great fun. And they almost got a pass from me for the PG-13 framing of the nude scene, save for one shot that didn't make any sense. Oh, and the ending didn't make any sense either and could have been lifted out of the Ritchie movie.
Post by: Najemikon on January 08, 2012, 02:59:47 PM
What do you mean about the nude scene? That style is typical of British TV handling of 'post-watershed but not really late' programming. Our best dramas are pitched so they can be ambitious while not cutting off the younger viewers. If a 12 year old wants to watch, say, Morse or even Cracker, they can without mum and dad even having to think about it. Our TV uses swearing and violence as a barometer for when it can be shown. Sex and nudity is tastefully done so even the early evening soaps can tackle it.
I don't think series 1 slumped in the slightest, by the way.
Post by: goodguy on January 08, 2012, 03:24:55 PM
As did the ending, but I don't think I ever read one of the books so I take your word for it.
There was a notable difference in quality between the pilot and the other two episodes and especially the middle one was really weak. IMHO, of course.
Post by: Najemikon on January 08, 2012, 09:02:22 PM
I should say that it is many years since I read any of the stories and even then it was only one or two, but the idea Sherlock was an action man was never explicit, just alluded to.