Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Lenny M

  
  Has a more accessible plot than the first, more about political conspiracy than gothic black magic, "DARKNESSES'!" I enjoyed this one a little more, more easy going and smooth. Has about 15 minutes of snooze time but for the most part it's great.

• Kase V

  
  The disappointment we must face, as viewers, is that this film is not as good as the one that came before it. However, that does not mean it cannot still be enjoyed. Downey is once again, brilliant and Law is perfect in the role as well. The great cast is what keeps the floundering… More
  The disappointment we must face, as viewers, is that this film is not as good as the one that came before it. However, that does not mean it cannot still be enjoyed. Downey is once again, brilliant and Law is perfect in the role as well. The great cast is what keeps the floundering story afloat. Great camera work again, and another good score. But the most entertainment came from the movie's best scene, in which our heroes are escaping Germans through a forest. The intense slow motion and editing created such a beautifully enthralling scene. Guy Ritchie just has to make sure to add more flourish if he's going to make the next film in the franchise better.

• Phil H

  
  Cor blimey gov! lovely bit of jackanory yet I'm kinda on the fence with this follow up, should be a cracking good yarn, looks lovely as did the first film, but in all honesty its slightly boring I found. The plot is a sort of mixed adaptation of Doyle's story 'A Final… More
  Cor blimey gov! lovely bit of jackanory yet I'm kinda on the fence with this follow up, should be a cracking good yarn, looks lovely as did the first film, but in all honesty its slightly boring I found. The plot is a sort of mixed adaptation of Doyle's story 'A Final Problem' and pure artistic license which works well, there is good character development, clever sequences and dialog and the continuity is well accounted for. The issue I had was the lack of excitement happening and then when there was action we have this silly slow motion thing being used way too much, amongst other things. The fact that Holmes and Watson are highly skilled street fighters and seem to be well versed in some basic martial arts or at least defense...I never really liked from day one, it turns the whole idea into something it shouldn't be much like the recent Three Musketeers film. They could be good fighters, that's OK but why not a little more grounded and scruffy, it would be more realistic and less like a modern buddy action flick that happens to be set in Victorian London. I really can't quite decide if I liked the film or not, I love the whole concept and the character Sherlock Holmes but I feel I enjoyed the first film more with its slightly more dark, gothic eerie look and feel. This film felt like a dull extension minus that murky misty old London town vibe. Overall I just think Downey saves the film really, he is great fun as Holmes and brilliant casting and its this reason why I watched the film. Law still looks rather camp and is bad casting I feel, he tends to look like Holmes lover frankly haha but Stephen Fry was a welcome addition. I'm 50/50, its good fun in places, mainly when Downey is on the go, apart from that its a bit dull and slightly uninspired. There isn't the fresh feel of the first film obviously but the sets, score, costumes and locations are still on top form, just lacking some va va voom.

• Manu G

  
  Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson join forces to outwit and bring down their fiercest adversary, Professor Moriarty. Excellent Film! I think it was better than the first film but that's just my opinion. I thought the story was great and intoxicatingly fun. Amazing… More
  Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson join forces to outwit and bring down their fiercest adversary, Professor Moriarty. Excellent Film! I think it was better than the first film but that's just my opinion. I thought the story was great and intoxicatingly fun. Amazing directing and acting by everyone. Can't wait for others to come! With Dr. John Watson about to marry and end their partnership, a disconsolate Sherlock Holmes occupies his time investigating the schemes of his archenemy, Professor James Moriarty. However, when Moriarty warns that he considers the Watsons a legitimate target for his retaliation against the detective, Holmes must save them and get John involved in one last case. To do so, they join the Roma lady Madam Simza Heron's quest to find her missing brother, Renee, who may be the key to defeating Moriarty. Together, the trio find themselves involved in a dangerous international conspiracy led by the Napoleon of Crime in which the fate of all of Europe hangs in the balance.

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>"If we can stop him, we shall prevent the collapse of Western civilization... No pressure."</i> Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson join forces to outwit and bring down their fiercest adversary, Professor Moriarty. <center><font size=+2… More
  <i>"If we can stop him, we shall prevent the collapse of Western civilization... No pressure."</i> Sherlock Holmes and his sidekick Dr. Watson join forces to outwit and bring down their fiercest adversary, Professor Moriarty. <center><font size=+2 face="Century Schoolbook"><b><u>REVIEW</u></b></font></center> Robert Downey, Jr. returns with charisma as the sleuth, with Jude Law not far behind as Dr. Watson, the straight man of the duo. Watson is getting married this go-around, which does not sit very well with Holmes, conveyed well by Downey, Jr without ever coming across as unnecessarily jealous. However, Watson's whole Honeymoon runs amok when him and Holmes must embark upon one final case to prevent Professor James Moriarty from manipulating the world powers -- via acts of terrorism -- into starting a World War. Moriarty is every bit Holmes's equal, and Jared Harris manages to be as cool and collected as Downey, Jr. is as Holmes. However, what makes both portrayals work, is the emotions flashing behind their eyes that are masked by their demeanor and the way they deliver their lines, resulting in a lot of sophisticated set pieces that are more Hitchcock than what one tends to associate with the films of director Guy Ritchie. The flick has fewer plot holes than its predecessor, though it lacks much of the crackling pace and energy of the first installment, often moving a touch slow for such an action heavy piece. Same as the first installment, there are a few scenes that just felt unnecessary and bogged down the flow of the story, such as the scene with Holmes's brother, Mycroft, in the nude. Even through all of the slow moments, Ritchie manages to keep the audience in the story through the verbal sparring that is always enjoyable between Holmes and Watson, and taking us into Holmes's mind by not just hearing Holmes's thought as to how he is deducing his environment, but by also visually representing these things through camera movement and reactionary point-of-view shots. The action as a whole develops organically throughout the story, with the story dictating the action rather than the action dictating what the story is about, and this is where A Game of Shadows is a step above so many other action films. The action is cleverly woven to where Ritchie can do a breathtaking chase sequence through the woods entirely in slow-mo, detailing every minor graze of a bullet and explosion, and then dial back to have a chess match between Holmes and Moriarty as the climax in a Hitchockian fashion. It is in moments like these that A Game of Shadows is the most successful, and it is why it builds upon the framework of its predecessor and surpasses it.

• Sarah G

  
  Great pop-corn fun but for me is overshadowed by the brilliant BBC modern Sherlock version. Still worth a watch though

• moon r

  
  Many will be surprised to hear that this film isn't Citizen Kane. No, really, not kidding, it really isn't. It's a fantasy adventure piece involving a mainstay fantasy adventure team. Some bad guys, some hot babes, some duelling, some witty repartee ... strictly old… More
  Many will be surprised to hear that this film isn't Citizen Kane. No, really, not kidding, it really isn't. It's a fantasy adventure piece involving a mainstay fantasy adventure team. Some bad guys, some hot babes, some duelling, some witty repartee ... strictly old school movie making stuff, and delivered with a smile (with a little cheese and pepper on the side). Not bad at all.

• Tired of P

  
  Directed by Guy Ritchie, Warner Bros, 2011. Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Stephen Fry, Jared Harris, Noomi Rapace and Rachel McAdams. Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime Question: How often does a sequel come out as good as or better than the first? It's rare, I… More
  Directed by Guy Ritchie, Warner Bros, 2011. Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Stephen Fry, Jared Harris, Noomi Rapace and Rachel McAdams. Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime Question: How often does a sequel come out as good as or better than the first? It's rare, I know, but Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows might have just done it. I really enjoyed Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes (2009), so much so that I have probably seen it a half a dozen times. Sure, it may have been for Robert Downey Jr., but he's worth it, right? And that is probably why I saw the sequel. However, it wasn't just Robert Downey Jr. and his portrayal as the world's most famous "consulting detective" that brought me to the theatre this time. It was one of the first movies in a long time, it seems, that wasn't offered in 3D. Finally. It might have helped that A Game of Shadows was in D-BOX though. This was only my second movie viewing in the motion activated seats, and it won't be my last. Anyway... One thing that a lot of film-makers do when writing and making a follow-up to a blockbuster: adding in way too much of what worked the first time. It's usually the jokes, special effects, or quirky aspects, which are used sparingly, that help make the original a treat and leave us wanting more; but sequels usually get saturated with these details. It happens ALL THE TIME and it, in my opinion, ruins the sequel. Well, not this time. A Game of Shadows appears to start off relatively soon after where the previous story ended; and I wasn't sure I was going to like it. In fact, I thought it might be trying too hard by what I first witnessed. To be honest there was one aspect of the first film where I thought it was a bit on the hokey side, and I feared it was going down that path again or where the film-makers thought they had grabbed that elusive brass ring. Luckily, the story took a turn or did something I wasn't expecting at all. It was a shock, actually. Although I kept thinking that, "No, they didn't just do that", and that lingered in my head throughout the rest of the movie until I fully believed it. Nice one! I relaxed - well, as best I could in the ever-moving seats. I would love to go into detail about the story but if I did, I would just ruin it. Even though Sherlock Holmes is probably the only one who can receive this little amount of information and have the ending all figured out before he takes his next breath, I am stopping here anyway. But rest assured this story is worth seeing. It's more complex and ominous than the first; and I believe it might be best seen on the large screen. The very slow-motion scenes that occurred in Sherlock Holmes (2009) showed up here. No, I am not going to complain about that because I really enjoyed this specific effect. Plus, it was used just enough. And without a doubt, one slow-motion scene that takes place in a forest made the price of the ticket worth it - D-BOX or not. Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes and Jude Law as Dr. Watson, once again, made a great pairing in the sequel, and I can't wait to see them in another one. (Fingers crossed) Watching those two actors play off each other was almost like watching Fred and Ginger dance. I particularly enjoyed the banter back and forth between the two men. I wouldn't be surprised if there was even a little improv in their dialogue. A Game of Shadows shows a greater friendship, collaboration and balancing act that kept this film from being not just another action/adventure sequel. If you didn't see Sherlock Holmes (2009), it's no big deal (although I recommend seeing it, just the same). There is only one aspect from the first, a specific character: Professor Moriarity, who was mentioned but how they started the story in A Game of Shadows catches you up quickly. In addition, there are new characters introduced here - played by Noomi Rapace (From the Swedish version of the Stieg Larsson's trilogy) and Stephen Fry, who I hope is in the next one more, albeit more fully clothed. Yep, that's all I am going to say about that piece. My favorite thing: Robert Downey Jr. - of course. My least favorite: That the seats didn't move more. D-BOX helps you delve deeper into the story that you almost want it moving the entire time, no matter what's going on in the film. So. Much. Fun. Rating: PG-13 Length: 129 minutes Review: 8 out of 10 For more reviews: www.tiredofpreviews.com or www.expatspost.com

• Tyler K

  
  Some movies are just plain boring, despite the fact that they act to be smart, it just doesn't work. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows has a totally oblivious plot that's just ridiculously hard to understand, and also features varies names that I forgot about in a blink of… More
  Some movies are just plain boring, despite the fact that they act to be smart, it just doesn't work. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows has a totally oblivious plot that's just ridiculously hard to understand, and also features varies names that I forgot about in a blink of an eye. Near the end, however, the movie picks itself up and continues to fight for an okay score. The ending is truly remember able (also quite courageous) and the slo-mo special effects are Stanley Kubric-like. The movie definitely is not like James Bond, but it doesn't seem to feel like a great noire mystery that I was expecting, then again, I haven't seen the first one... but after this movie, I don't really want to.

• Sergio G

  
  As a BIG fan of sir Arthur Conan Doyle's character I have to say that Robert Downey Jr. is my second best Sherlock ever. And entirely different. Basil Rathbone is the best and always will be. But Robert brought that Sherlock that many of you don't know at all. Always… More
  As a BIG fan of sir Arthur Conan Doyle's character I have to say that Robert Downey Jr. is my second best Sherlock ever. And entirely different. Basil Rathbone is the best and always will be. But Robert brought that Sherlock that many of you don't know at all. Always thinking, weird experiments, opium addict, that dark side that was never portrayed in the late 30's and 40's movies. And besides he's funny as hell. So...what are you waiting for? Go see it! NOW!

• c0up  

  
  'Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows'. Surprisingly well scripted and a solid ensemble performances, putting it above the average summer blockbuster fare. The slow motion and predictive combat aspects were needlessly played out though.

• Thomas B

  
  Great sequel in need of some tighter plotting and a streamlined screenplay. Full review later.

• Matt G

  
  They could have cut a good 30 minutes, but fine action sequences nevertheless, along with an unforgettable ending. I'll give it a VERY low B- or a very high C+. The film's saving grace are it's leads; Robert Downey Jr. & Jude Law perfectly encapsulate the spirit of… More
  They could have cut a good 30 minutes, but fine action sequences nevertheless, along with an unforgettable ending. I'll give it a VERY low B- or a very high C+. The film's saving grace are it's leads; Robert Downey Jr. & Jude Law perfectly encapsulate the spirit of Homes and Watson's partnership. It's also nice seeing Noomi Rapace in a role out of the Millennium realm.

• Tom M

  
  A real disappointment. Sherlock Holmes was a film that grew on me. I felt let down while leaving the theatre, but over the year I realized how great of a movie it really was. It was interesting, subtle, and my two favorite actors were absolutely dynamite together. Luckily that's… More
  A real disappointment. Sherlock Holmes was a film that grew on me. I felt let down while leaving the theatre, but over the year I realized how great of a movie it really was. It was interesting, subtle, and my two favorite actors were absolutely dynamite together. Luckily that's not lost. Downey Jr. and Law are really great together. Unfortunately, the enormous story thats almost tedious to follow in the first is replaced with a story thats not really that large and made to be larger than it is. That's annoying. The actors in it besides the two leads were all fine but Moriarty in particular was an uninteresting character compared to his intrigue from the stories. And more importantly, Sherlock's attempt to save the entire city in the first is replaced with a petty issue of seeing essentially which of them is the more intelligent. It's okay i suppose, but it was a letdown for me.

• Flutie A

  
  Good, but not great...Not really sure why I didn't enjoy it as much as the first, but it just didn't have the same feel leaving the theater. Has some hilarious moments, but surrounded by a lot of slower-moving scenes (literally, at points...heavy slow-mo). I'll be… More
  Good, but not great...Not really sure why I didn't enjoy it as much as the first, but it just didn't have the same feel leaving the theater. Has some hilarious moments, but surrounded by a lot of slower-moving scenes (literally, at points...heavy slow-mo). I'll be back for the inevitable sequel.

• Chris M

  
  I liked the first Sherlock Holmes, but this one is much better. Though at first it seems like its going to be just like the first, it slowly expands into something different. As always Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law are top notch, the back and forth between the two is just excellent.… More
  I liked the first Sherlock Holmes, but this one is much better. Though at first it seems like its going to be just like the first, it slowly expands into something different. As always Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law are top notch, the back and forth between the two is just excellent. This sequel takes us places I wish the first one did, it introduces Sherlock Holmes' rival Moriarty and Holmes' brother. One of the best things about this movie is that I could actually understand what they were saying, which was a problem the first one had. Also, the intellectual battles between Holmes and Moriarty were great. Though the film had some flaws; I didn't really like the end, it felt like it happened a little bit to fast... but thats probably just me. Another thing was that the thing were he speculates whats going to happen in the fight before it happens was cool in the first film, but gets tiring in this one. Overall, I enjoyed watching this movie, it was much better than the first.

• Jason R

  
  Exactly as entertaining that I thought it would be (i.e. highly). Excellent work to mimic what worked in the first movie but twist it so that fans of the first movie feel that they're in on an inside joke. Casting Stephen Fry as Sherlock's brother was a stroke of genius --… More
  Exactly as entertaining that I thought it would be (i.e. highly). Excellent work to mimic what worked in the first movie but twist it so that fans of the first movie feel that they're in on an inside joke. Casting Stephen Fry as Sherlock's brother was a stroke of genius -- if you ever need to develop a few tedious plot points while keeping the plot moving, Mr. Fry is your man. I've seen probably a thousand action sequences in my life, but the creators of this movie legitimately tried to do something different rather than rely old tricks. It might have come across as overproduced to some, but I was a fan. Finally, Jude Law is incredible as this version of Watson. Whereas Downey Jr. simply adds a British accent to Iron Man's Stark (very successfully, I might add), Law adds a lot of character to what could have been a bland straight-man. I'm ready for the third edition, just tell me when and where.

• danny d

  
  the film was highly entertaining, but not much else. when looking at the end of the film with the same sense of scrutiny that holmes looks upon all things, there were some major problems, and the plot drowns a few times in unnecessary convolution. game of shadows is a mere shadow of… More
  the film was highly entertaining, but not much else. when looking at the end of the film with the same sense of scrutiny that holmes looks upon all things, there were some major problems, and the plot drowns a few times in unnecessary convolution. game of shadows is a mere shadow of the first film in the series.

• Sophie B

  
  When I watched the first I wasn't very impressed but on the second viewing I found it fantastic so I'm hoping this will happen with this film too. I liked it and it did have a lot of hilarious moments but there were so many twists and turns it was sometimes difficult to… More
  When I watched the first I wasn't very impressed but on the second viewing I found it fantastic so I'm hoping this will happen with this film too. I liked it and it did have a lot of hilarious moments but there were so many twists and turns it was sometimes difficult to follow. I wasn't impressed with any performances of the new characters (Rapace, Harris and Fry) but Downey Jr and Law did a great job as usual.

• Kyle F

  
  Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows has moments of brilliance, including a superb climax, but is also surprisingly boring a lot of the time. The production values and performances of the great 2009 Holmes are still intact (although all of the actors seem to be hamming it up just a bit… More
  Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows has moments of brilliance, including a superb climax, but is also surprisingly boring a lot of the time. The production values and performances of the great 2009 Holmes are still intact (although all of the actors seem to be hamming it up just a bit more), but clever writing both story-wise and character-wise are amiss. The witty arguments between Holmes and Watson have been exchanged for a few blunt quips, there's hardly a shred of mystery in the whole movie, and, as sequels must, the whole thing is expanded in a failed attempt to be "epic." Why would having Holmes and crew travel from England to France to Germany to Switzerland be entertaining? It isn't, it's just exhausting. Other unneeded and confusing plot elements are added just to make things more "complex," and initial action sequences come close to educing yawns. As scathing as this all sounds, there's still enough going for this movie to keep it from being a failure. Jared Harris shines as Professor Moriarty, the villain we all love to watch, and there's still a good amount of visual dazzle. The tone of good humor that it all plays out in makes it hard not to enjoy yourself at least a little bit.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings