Jason KingSHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS: A Review
December 24th 2011 01:42
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Better than the first one!!
Category: Reviews
Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) has always been the smartest man in the room...until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large-Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris)-and not only is he Holmes' intellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may actually give him an advantage over the renowned detective. When the Crown Prince of Austria is found dead, the evidence, as construed by Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan), points to suicide. But Sherlock Holmes deduces that the prince has been the victim of murder-a murder that is only one piece of a larger and much more portentous puzzle, designed by Professor Moriarty. The cunning Moriarty is always one step ahead of Holmes as he spins a web of death and destruction-all part of a greater plan that, if he succeeds, will change the course of history.
OK - it took me months to watch the first Sherlock Holmes movie. I like watching RDJ in films but, honestly, he always plays RDJ and just becomes more or less loopier depending on what the character requires, he is kind of like Johnnie Depp in that respect. I have no desire to rush out and see his films but eventually do and like most of them. I enjoyed the first Sherlock Holmes but did not love it. Guy Ritchie has recreated Sherlock Holmes in his own style and imagination and I would prefer to see a smart Holmes and a Sherlock Holmes that is not a comedy and more serious.
I liked the look of the trailer for this film and when invited to a Christmas screening I took along good friend, Steve, and had a great night. They threw a spectacular pre screening shindig at the bar underneath Bondi Junction Event Cinemas. There were B graders galore and free food and drinks. Yay to Beez Neez beer but boo to mini pies that provided me with third degree burns when some of the filling spilled out.
As for the film I actually preferred it to the first film but it has many flaws. Firstly, I love the chemistry between RDJ and Jude Law, they make perfect partners in a Holmes styled tale by Guy Ritchie. I also thought Jared Harris stole the show as Moriarty. His one on one scenes with Holmes make the film. They are also pretty much the only serious scenes in the film and the dialogue is written superbly. My favourite character in the film was Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock's brother, played by Stephen Fry - the man is bloody hysterical.
I also love the cinematography and set design - absolutely stunning.
BUT it ends there - the first half of the film just annoyed me and I was watch watching but the film slips into a good pace in the second half. I also think it took me that long to get it into my head of the different styling Ritchie likes for the films. The slowdown of the frames and the way Holmes sees everything in advance just bugged the hell out of me in both films and the only time I enjoyed it was when him and Moriarty are both doing it in the end scenes.
Also, I have never seen a more unnecessary or underutilised actor than Noomi Rapace - I didn't see the point - we all know this woman is brilliant at acting, and dirty hard core acting - yet she was just popping up in the background - there was NO need for her to even be in the film.
Griping aside, if you try and think of it not as a tale of Sherlock Holmes, but as an old time action film with Holme's character names then you will thoroughly enjoy the film. I laughed a lot and everything flows well by the second half. It won't win awards but is a great popcorn film for the adults during the holiday season. Sherlock hits the screens on December 5th - you could do much worse - worth 7 out of 10.
OK - it took me months to watch the first Sherlock Holmes movie. I like watching RDJ in films but, honestly, he always plays RDJ and just becomes more or less loopier depending on what the character requires, he is kind of like Johnnie Depp in that respect. I have no desire to rush out and see his films but eventually do and like most of them. I enjoyed the first Sherlock Holmes but did not love it. Guy Ritchie has recreated Sherlock Holmes in his own style and imagination and I would prefer to see a smart Holmes and a Sherlock Holmes that is not a comedy and more serious.
I liked the look of the trailer for this film and when invited to a Christmas screening I took along good friend, Steve, and had a great night. They threw a spectacular pre screening shindig at the bar underneath Bondi Junction Event Cinemas. There were B graders galore and free food and drinks. Yay to Beez Neez beer but boo to mini pies that provided me with third degree burns when some of the filling spilled out.
As for the film I actually preferred it to the first film but it has many flaws. Firstly, I love the chemistry between RDJ and Jude Law, they make perfect partners in a Holmes styled tale by Guy Ritchie. I also thought Jared Harris stole the show as Moriarty. His one on one scenes with Holmes make the film. They are also pretty much the only serious scenes in the film and the dialogue is written superbly. My favourite character in the film was Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock's brother, played by Stephen Fry - the man is bloody hysterical.
I also love the cinematography and set design - absolutely stunning.
BUT it ends there - the first half of the film just annoyed me and I was watch watching but the film slips into a good pace in the second half. I also think it took me that long to get it into my head of the different styling Ritchie likes for the films. The slowdown of the frames and the way Holmes sees everything in advance just bugged the hell out of me in both films and the only time I enjoyed it was when him and Moriarty are both doing it in the end scenes.
Also, I have never seen a more unnecessary or underutilised actor than Noomi Rapace - I didn't see the point - we all know this woman is brilliant at acting, and dirty hard core acting - yet she was just popping up in the background - there was NO need for her to even be in the film.
Griping aside, if you try and think of it not as a tale of Sherlock Holmes, but as an old time action film with Holme's character names then you will thoroughly enjoy the film. I laughed a lot and everything flows well by the second half. It won't win awards but is a great popcorn film for the adults during the holiday season. Sherlock hits the screens on December 5th - you could do much worse - worth 7 out of 10.
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