Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is an upcoming 2011 action mystery film directed by Guy Ritchie and produced by Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey and Dan Lin. It is a sequel to the 2009 film Sherlock Holmes based on the character of the same name created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The screenplay is by Kieran Mulroney and Michele Mulroney. Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law reprise their roles as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, respectively, as the duo join forces to outwit and bring down their most cunning adversary, Professor Moriarty, played by Jared Harris. Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) and his longtime trusted associate, Dr. John Watson (Jude Law), take on Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris), with the help of Holmes's older brother Mycroft Holmes (Stephen Fry) and a Romani woman named Sim (Noomi Rapace). After the success of the 2009 film Sherlock Holmes, a sequel was fast tracked by Warner Bros. with director Guy Ritchie dropping out of an adaptation of Lobo and Robert Downey, Jr. leaving Cowboys & Aliens. It was unclear if Rachel McAdams would appear in the film. McAdams said, "If I do, it won't be a very big thing. It's not a lead part". On 4 February 2011
Release Date: December 16, 2011
Runtime: 2 hr 9 min
Genre: Action , Adventure , Mystery
Director: Guy Ritchie
Producer: Joel Silver, Bruce Berman, Steve Clark-Hall, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey, Dan Lin
Cast: Jared Harris, Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Stephen Fry, Paul W.S. Anderson, Geraldine James, Wolf Kahler, Kelly Reilly, Eddie Marsan, William Houston, Rachel McAdams, Iain Mitchell, Noomi Rapace, Jack Laskey
(less)Ok for ages 13+ . What would you rate it?
Rated PG-13 Some Drug Material|Intense Sequences of Violence|Intense Sequences of Action
- Sex & Nudity
- Violence & Gore
- Profanity
Content details via Kids-In-Mind
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Reviews
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Some of the action sequences seemed a little over-the-top. Then again, Holmes' smarts seem out of this world anyway--that's why it's fun. Quite violent, but surprisingly little sex and swearing. There is however a glimpse of a backside again. It's not Rachel McAdam's--it's Stephen Fry's (close your eyes). Exciting, witty and thought provoking. If you liked the first one at all, this one is even better.
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"Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows" is a decent buddy movie with a sense of humor. Robert Downey Jr. (Sherlock) and Jude Law (Dr. John Watson) play off each other with an easy back-and-forth of "we've got each other's back" some of the time and "why are you doing that to me?" at other times.
It's hard to imagine Downey as the true Sherlock because of his odd ways. He seems to solve crimes by accident -- almost an Inspector Clouseau on steroids. But then again, it may be that Downey's Sherlock is so much smarter than everyone else that he knows what he's doing, even though it doesn't seem like it.
The plot of "Shadows" is extra-thin. Tweedy math professor James Moriarty has people setting off bombs to further his nebulous scheme to bring down Europe. And Watson and his new bride will happen to be collateral damage to hurt Sherlock. OK, but how will Moriarty pull that off while attending to his scholarly duties? The moviegoer is never quite sure. Sherlock enlists the help of Watson and Madam Simza, a Gypsy (Noomi Rapace), as they race around Europe to try to stop the professor.
Moriarty (Jared Harris) doesn't give off the evil vibe that a true movie villain should. Maybe that's because of the understated way Harris plays the role, but the thought occurs that Sherlock should just do away with the dweeb professor and get on with the next case.
Downey, Law and Rapace are strong in their roles, and Downey shows again that he can carry a movie.
The MPAA's PG-13 rating comes from the violence, a bit of language and Sherlock's brother's lack of clothing in one scene -- thank goodness for a strategically placed stack of books. The rating seems right, but the film isn't really appropriate for anyone younger than mid-teens.
As for action movies, "Sherlock" is not as satisfying as "Mission Impossible -- Ghost Protocol." Yes, they're set in different times, and London in the 1890s just seems super-grimy compared to "Mission's" super-hot Dubai.
When glamour goes up against grime, glamour wins this round. That said, "Sherlock" is still worth seeing. -
For me I liked the first a bit better, more interaction between Sherlock and Waston. This one is still very entertaining. I was disappointed with the character that played Moriarty that he wasn't strong enought. There are some violent scenes.
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I really like how Robert Downey Jr. plays Sherlock. He is smart, witty, quircky, funny, all in one. I like the photography and the plot is certainly intriguing. It seems to me that this one is a bit more violent since Sherlock takes some good beatings but I must say hats off to the actors. I also really liked Jude Law's job and I like that the movie leaves you wondering what will happen next - inspite of the fact that they already brought Moriarty in the plot in this second movie-
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In the end, it was nice to see the classic Moriarty/Holmes waterfall scene. Obviously it was a different setup than the short story, but still great to see it work into the film. Otherwise, a pretty average movie with some clever visuals.
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I've heard critics feel like this episode isn't as good as the first but I disagree. I actually liked it much better. Wasn't quite as mystery driven, but very fun story line and if you're a Holmes fan, you know this has a number of story lines from the books and stories melded into it. "A Scandal in Bohemia," anyone?
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I did not see the first movie in this series, but found that Game of Shadows stood up well on its own. Do not watch expecting any sort of in-depth detective adventure, as that is not what this movie is. Instead, it is a straight-up action movie following a fun, but basic, storyline. Well done and worth a watch without much in the way of objectionable material.
July 14th, 2012 Details -
Essentially they took everything that was great about the first movie and made it better. This was thoroughly entertaining and clean for the most part. Although the violence is quite intense at certain points.
January 2nd, 2012 Details -
Several of the signature elements of the first film are here: Sherlock’s brilliant deductive abilities, the odd but hilarious bromance between Sherlock and Watson, the slow motion scenes where Sherlock plans out how he is going to beat someone up before doing it (though they switch this up in a fresh way every time they use it in this film). There are also some significant differences. They spend surprisingly little time in England in this film, which means that there are a lot of things we got used to in the first film that have nothing to do in this film. We only see 221b Baker street once or twice, inspector Lestradt (or however you spell it) once, and surprisingly, Rachel McAdams has almost nothing to do with this story at all. We do get Sherlock’s brother Mycroft in this film. He is just as strange (if not more so) and brilliant as his brother. Mycroft is a high powered government employee, and a source of comic relief. Sherlock is even weirder in this film than the last, because now he is sleep deprived, and seems to be drinking a lot more, and not always alcohol, but whatever odd substance he kind find (like embalming fluid). He seems on the brink of insanity more than once in the film. The story is not really a mystery the way the first one was, which is kind of surprising. This is more of an action film, actually. There is quite a bit of that this time around. Moriarty’s plan, once you learn what it is, seems not quite as brilliant as one would hope, and the absence of other twists and turns along the way was just a little disappointing. The last 15 minutes of the film make up for all of this, though. I loved the end.
There's quite a bit of violence here, including a nasty torture scene involving a meat hook.July 10th, 2012 Details -
lots of fight sceens, but overall a good movie. kept us watching the entire time. better than the first one!
December 20th, 2011 Details -
Good action scenes.
December 27th, 2011 Details -
Action packed and a lot of fun.
January 6th, 2012 Details -
Good movie. No sex scenes and decent language, but too much violence.
January 13th, 2012 Details -
Better than the first Sherlock movie. Hope they come out with a third!
July 17th, 2012 Details -
A very visually striking movie. Very enjoyable, lots of fun too, you will laugh.
February 9th, 2012 Details -
Really liked it. Not quite as good as the first one though.
March 17th, 2012 Details -
Quite violent but always interesting.
July 27th, 2012 Details -
Some people liked this one better than the first. I personally enjoyed both.
I thought the filming was brilliant and dialogue witty. It's fun to see Robert Downey Jr. play this role and then also play Iron Man. He's a phenomenal actor!
The violence is comparable with the first film. I thought the theme wasn't as dark as the first movie. It's entertaining and makes you want to see it again.June 7th, 2012 Details -
Awesome movie! Definitely worth your time. Pay close attention or else you may get lost in the twists and turns.
June 27th, 2012 Details -
I liked this movie a lot. I like the duo of Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. I like the story and the witty humor that comes through their personalities. I like the image they portray of Sherlock and Holmes being smart and tough. The film does contain some violence, so I'd recommend it more for adults. It's a good father-mother date night film after the kids go to bed.
March 17th, 2013 Details -
I really like the way the mystery is portrayed in these films (this and the first). The acting is well done and the story is good also.
June 22nd, 2012 Details -
I loved it! One of my favorite movies of the year. There is really no dull moment, that keeps you on the edge of you seat, plus you head in the movie trying to predict what is next. You'll never guess.
June 22nd, 2012 Details -
Doesn't rest on its laurels. Downey, Jr. is excellent, again. Lots of fun. Worth it.
July 10th, 2012 Details -
Wonderful movie but make sure you can watch it uninterrupted. IE, if you have kids, wait till they go to bed. Also, pick it up on Blu-Ray, looks amazing
July 12th, 2012 Details -
Very funny, and awesome action.
July 29th, 2012 Details -
Absolutely loved it!
August 13th, 2012 Details -
Rollicking fun and smart enough to hold its own in the Holmes Pantheon.
September 23rd, 2012 Details -
Far and wide one of the best movies of the year! Brilliant!!
September 24th, 2012 Details -
Great movie despite being a hard act to follow the first. Enjoyable and plenty of the Sherlock twists. Really enjoying this franchise.
November 16th, 2012 Details -
love sherlock holmes, in books, tv and movies
February 2nd, 2013 Details -
really good movie with great action and acting. makes you think as well and robert downey jr. did a great job.
March 22nd, 2013 Details -
Loved it. defiantly worth a ticket to the box office. I hope they come out with a new one.
April 23rd, 2013 Details -
Always enjoy Robert Downing Jr.'s movies. What a great actor! Very entertaining for the most part.
April 1st, 2013 Details