|
|
Post by Power NeXus on Dec 20, 2011 23:04:21 GMT -5
 "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" premiered on Friday as a sequel to the 2009 film. In this film, Sherlock Holmes engages in a cat-and-mouse game with James Moriarty, a criminal mastermind whose genius intellect rivals Holmes' own. ActingFlawless, from what I could see. Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law were once again impeccable leading actors, and not even the minor characters in this film did any poor jobs. Visual EffectsThis film follows the style of the original, having quite a few quickly-changing slow-motion shots during major action sequences. There was once scene in particular in which the slow-motion shots seemed a bit overused and unnecessary, but that was only a minor setback. Action ScenesVery similar to the first film, only more numerous. I, personally, find it fascinating to watch the scenes in which he figures out a hand-to-hand fight in his head before the fight begins. PlotAs would be expected of a Sherlock Holmes film, the plot was amazing. I found a few bits somewhat predictable, but only because watching this kind of movie puts my brain into major "solve the mystery" mode. But, all in all, the plot was fresh and exciting. I absolutely loved watching the battle of minds between Holmes and Moriarty, who are of equal genius. Additional thoughtsThe movie seemed a bit unfinished to me, for two reasons. 1) I expected Irene Adler to turn up alive somewhere near the end. As Holmes' primary love interest, she's not the kind of character you expect to be killed (permanently) 15 minutes into the film. 2) I expected (and wanted) Watson to have some sort of duel with Colonel Moran at the end. If Holmes gets a final confrontation with Moriarty, shouldn't their respective sidekicks get to duke it out too? But, instead, Moran just walked away and Watson let him... SummaryThe Good: Pretty much everything. The plot, acting, and fight scenes were everything I was hoping for. The Bad: Overuse of slow-motion in one scene. Disappointing conclusions concerning Adler and Moran. "Powers of deduction" taken to a slightly too incredible level at times (ex. Trying to determine the killer from six potential subjects, and determining the color of all of their eyes from like 30 feet away). Fascinating and entertaining from beginning to end. A worthy sequel to a brilliant original film.
9/10 |
|
|
|
Post by Crom-Cruach on Dec 20, 2011 23:13:58 GMT -5
I saw it in the theatres last saturday. I give it a 7 out of 10 personally.
|
|
Decoy Elite
The Unstoppable Ledgernaut
I've seen things you wouldn't believe
Posts: 4,854
|
Post by Decoy Elite on Dec 20, 2011 23:14:50 GMT -5
I really liked the first movie so from the sound of this I'll enjoy the second. Nice review.  |
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Dec 22, 2011 16:17:07 GMT -5
Good review. I was already tired when I saw it, so that definitely took away and made it feel a little too long at times, but overall it was very, very entertaining.
|
|
|
|
Post by Power NeXus on Dec 23, 2011 1:14:12 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Gender on Dec 28, 2011 14:27:38 GMT -5
Ending of this movie made it for me. Holmes was walking around with precognition in this film, lol.
|
|
|
|
Post by Phantom Stargrave on Dec 29, 2011 17:55:30 GMT -5
The Bad: Overuse of slow-motion in one scene. Which scene was that? Also, I rather agree about Adler, but Moran had to live for the next movie. That's what happened in the books I believe, so it doesn't really bug me. |
|
|
|
Post by Gender on Dec 29, 2011 18:37:35 GMT -5
The Bad: Overuse of slow-motion in one scene. Which scene was that? Also, I rather agree about Adler, but Moran had to live for the next movie. That's what happened in the books I believe, so it doesn't really bug me. I'd assume when they are running from their lives from gunfire, explosions and the like. The rest of the scenes involving slow-motion were much shorter. |
|
|
|
Post by jakefury on Dec 29, 2011 19:24:20 GMT -5
Must.see.this.
|
|
|
|
Post by Phantom Stargrave on Dec 29, 2011 19:41:44 GMT -5
I'd assume when they are running from their lives from gunfire, explosions and the like. The rest of the scenes involving slow-motion were much shorter. I thought the slow motion rather enhanced the horror of what they were going through at the time. It may have been too much, but the scene wouldn't nearly be as powerful without it. |
|
|
|
Post by Crom-Cruach on Dec 29, 2011 22:54:18 GMT -5
Also, I rather agree about Adler, but Moran had to live for the next movie. That's what happened in the books I believe, so it doesn't really bug me. Sort off, Sebastian Moran actually doesn't appear and isn't even mentionned in the books until after Sherlock falls down with Moriarty to his death at Rechenback falls in the story "The Final Problem". Conan Doyle wanted to kill Holmes however, massive fandom and his love of money convinced him to bring him back about a year and a half after in the story "The Adventure of the Empty House". This is Sebastian Moran's first and only appearance in the books. There he was Moriarty's second in command thought. Irene Adler herself is completely unimportant in the books, only appearing in the short story "The Adventure of the Illustrious client". Then never mentioned again. |
|
|
|
Post by Power NeXus on Dec 30, 2011 0:30:06 GMT -5
Which scene was that? Also, I rather agree about Adler, but Moran had to live for the next movie. That's what happened in the books I believe, so it doesn't really bug me. I'd assume when they are running from their lives from gunfire, explosions and the like. The rest of the scenes involving slow-motion were much shorter. Yes, that was the scene I was talking about. |
|
|
|
Post by Gender on Dec 30, 2011 19:39:56 GMT -5
I thought the slow motion rather enhanced the horror of what they were going through at the time. It may have been too much, but the scene wouldn't nearly be as powerful without it. I'd actually agree that was what it's intention was, otherwise it would have been in regular speed: BOOM, dead, BOOM BANG! With a little bit of trouble trying to figure out what is actually going on. |
|
|
|
Post by jakefury on Dec 31, 2011 18:38:31 GMT -5
Nice review for a pretty fun movie.
|
|
|
|
Post by DedmanWalkin on Jan 6, 2012 4:03:40 GMT -5
The movie was good but it was not better than the first.
Moriarty's plot was a bit underwhelming in comparison to what was set up in the first. Did he ever use the remote detonation device that he had stolen in the first movie?
As for the Slow-Motion shots, I also had a problem with the running one as it broke immersion due to the previously established usage of the slow motion. I did enjoy the Sherlock-Moriarty one immensely and would have liked one where an advantage was not in play.
|
|
