S. Holmes: A Game Of Shadows

[Thanqol]

Non spoilers: This movie was absolutely ace and you should totally watch it.


Actual spoilers below

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Just got back from the first day screening and absolutely loved it. A brilliant adaptation. I admit, I was worried when I heard the premise. In the book, the first time Moriarty entered the scene was when his empire was already crumbling and he was out for revenge. Further, a lot of the book takes place through the medium of letters. A straight up conversion would have been awful (and a lot of Holmes movies are awful). I was also worried by the past film - I liked that one, but I wasn't sure how they'd handle the iconic villain.

But the way it worked out was ace. Best movie I've seen in a real while. Consistently hilarious, wonderfully paced, fantastic action scenes. Moriarty had an absolutely sublime establish-villainy scene. It takes real skill to make Victorian era firearms seem as menacing as modern assault rifles, but they managed it - the shootouts were as intense as anything out of the 21st century.

But best of all was the homosexual subtext. That was really what made the entire movie. Never called attention to directly, completely misdirected from both the characters, but I was not expecting to see Holmes and Watson waltzing on the big screen. I was impressed at how well they did that; somehow absolutely confirmed and absolutely denied at the same time. Goodness.

Anyone else see it? What did you think?

[Fri]

Yes, it's a cool enough sequel, but I prefer the first movie. The case is simply cooler for me. Really just that.

and spoiler

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I kept waiting for Irene Adler to pop out and show that her apparent death is just another ruse. I can't believe they simply killed her like that. Even now, I still wonder if they're going to make her appear in the third movie, if there ever any plan for another sequel.

[Bouregard]

Non spoilers: This movie was absolutely ace and you should totally watch it.

Anyone else see it? What did you think?

And how I liked it... Good action, a good adaption of the books and great actors.
I really liked Mycroft, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle never quite managed to explain the character to me, however after seeing the movie i reread some old parts again and I start to like him, awkward yet brilliant.

And I really liked the part in the train. Had to rewatch the trailer a few dozen times just to see it again. I will definitly buy the blu ray once available.

[Sunken Valley]

I don't think they are planning on making a three-quel. Nobody's confirmed it like they instantly did for the 2nd film. Besides who would Holmes fight. They killed Moriarty.

[kpenguin]

I don't think they are planning on making a three-quel. Nobody's confirmed it like they instantly did for the 2nd film. Besides who would Holmes fight. They killed Moriarty.

Holmes survived the fall.. its quite possible Moriarty did too. He did in League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, for instance...

Alternatively, he could be cloned in the distant future as Sherlock Holmes is revitalized after being preserved for centuries in beeswax

SHERLOCK HOLMES THREE: THE TWENTY SECOND CENTURY

[Mauve Shirt]

This movie made me so happy I exploded.

[Thanqol]

I don't think they are planning on making a three-quel. Nobody's confirmed it like they instantly did for the 2nd film. Besides who would Holmes fight. They killed Moriarty.

The Hound of the Baskervilles!

I have no idea how they'd do that story in this series' style. But I can imagine Holmes slow-motion predict-fighting a giant dog. And that would be the greatest thing ever.

It tries to bite me. Because it's a dog. Punch to the muzzle. It tries to bite me again. Because it's a dog. Run screaming over treacherous bog water...

[Mauve Shirt]

The Hound of the Baskervilles!

I have no idea how they'd do that story in this series' style. But I can imagine Holmes slow-motion predict-fighting a giant dog. And that would be the greatest thing ever.

It tries to bite me. Because it's a dog. Punch to the muzzle. It tries to bite me again. Because it's a dog. Run screaming over treacherous bog water...

I can't draw, but I NEED to draw this.

[Thanqol]

I can't draw, but I NEED to draw this.

Give me a few days to get home to my tablet and I'll see what I can do

[The Glyphstone]

Holmes survived the fall.. its quite possible Moriarty did too. He did in League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, for instance...

Alternatively, he could be cloned in the distant future as Sherlock Holmes is revitalized after being preserved for centuries in beeswax

SHERLOCK HOLMES THREE: THE TWENTY SECOND CENTURY

It was honey, actually.
[/lovedthatshowasakid]

[Teron]

Holmes survived the fall.. its quite possible Moriarty did too. He did in League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, for instance...

Alternatively, he could be cloned in the distant future as Sherlock Holmes is revitalized after being preserved for centuries in beeswax

SHERLOCK HOLMES THREE: THE TWENTY SECOND CENTURY

Heh, I remember that show. I wonder now if it was any good... it's not like I could tell at the age I was then.

Nothing to say about the movie, I'm afraid, as I haven't seen it yet.

[KillianHawkeye]

But best of all was the homosexual subtext. That was really what made the entire movie. Never called attention to directly, completely misdirected from both the characters, but I was not expecting to see Holmes and Watson waltzing on the big screen. I was impressed at how well they did that; somehow absolutely confirmed and absolutely denied at the same time.

Two men dancing is not necessarily homosexual. Especially when it is just a cover for them to discuss their plan in the middle of a formal ballroom.

[Mauve Shirt]

True, two men dancing is not necessarily homosexual. And Watson was getting married. Still, this movie seemed to me to be even less heterosexual than the first. And it was excellent.

[Thanqol]

Two men dancing is not necessarily homosexual. Especially when it is just a cover for them to discuss their plan in the middle of a formal ballroom.

Oh sure. There's a perfectly innocent explanation. And the whole kidnapping him from his wife to take him honeymooning in Paris, constantly asking if Watson enjoyed this more than he would have his honeymoon, the crossdressing, the "I'm sure he would have preferred to come with us" when discussing the honeymoon...

Oh, sure, it was all business. It was all completely innocent. That's what makes it excellently done. It was a deliberate tease, the entire way through. It'll never happen, and yet it somehow happened.

[DiscipleofBob]

It's scary how much the movie actually gets right from the book.

The homosexual subtext was in the books as well. Wattson went through a number of wives, each of whom Holmes disapproved of and each of which died either in childbirth or by a freak carriage accident or something, and each time when he informed Holmes, the latter would shrug it off as yesterday's news, and you're left wondering, "There's no way Sherlock could have assassinated someone by childbirth... Is there?"

I'm glad they killed off Irene Adler. It gave Moriarty points for villain intelligence, and really Irene Adler should never have been in the movies in the first place (at least not as a spunky Carmen Sandiego). Holmes really just hated women with the exception of Adler. He had a grudging respect for her after the two matched wits, but there was never any romantic connection between the two in the books, seeing as Adler got married and left the country shortly after they met.

The only complaint I have about the movie is the parts that just go on full Michael Bay explosion mode. Of course, that climax more than made up for everything.

[Fri]

It's scary how much the movie actually gets right from the book.

The homosexual subtext was in the books as well. Wattson went through a number of wives, each of whom Holmes disapproved of and each of which died either in childbirth or by a freak carriage accident or something, and each time when he informed Holmes, the latter would shrug it off as yesterday's news, and you're left wondering, "There's no way Sherlock could have assassinated someone by childbirth... Is there?"

I'm glad they killed off Irene Adler. It gave Moriarty points for villain intelligence, and really Irene Adler should never have been in the movies in the first place (at least not as a spunky Carmen Sandiego). Holmes really just hated women with the exception of Adler. He had a grudging respect for her after the two matched wits, but there was never any romantic connection between the two in the books, seeing as Adler got married and left the country shortly after they met.

The only complaint I have about the movie is the parts that just go on full Michael Bay explosion mode. Of course, that climax more than made up for everything.

Actually, the part about irene is the thing that bothers me in the first movie as well.

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but really I just don't expect of her getting dropped by a bus just like that

[Surrealistik]

I don't think any interpretation of Holmes will ever top Star Trek's.

[Haruki-kun]

I loved this movie, did not see the first one. But I do have to say the ending.... was I the only one that felt the ending was kinda...? I mean...

Alternatively, he could be cloned in the distant future as Sherlock Holmes is revitalized after being preserved for centuries in beeswax

SHERLOCK HOLMES THREE: THE TWENTY SECOND CENTURY

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[The Glyphstone]

I loved this movie, did not see the first one. But I do have to say the ending.... was I the only one that felt the ending was kinda...? I mean...

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherloc...e_22nd_Century

[Haruki-kun]

Sorry, we didn't get that show in Mexico... Figured it was referencing something, but I didn't know what.

[dehro]

it was like watching the bastard son of Wild Wild West and rush hour...with a bit of Hero thrown in as well.

I've yet to decide whether I'm sold on this style (I haven't watched the first one.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

T'was awesome. Kinda glad they killed of Rachel MacAdams early, as she's a bit... flat in acting style. Noomi Rapace was awesome, and Kelly Rielly was much better than in the first movie. I HATED her in the first movie.

[Kairaven]

not so much homosexual overtone, rather the ultimate expression of Bro-love.

Of course, there are those that would argue that ultimate bro-love is simply repressed homosexuality.

I can almost hear that unspoken "Bro! this is for you!" right before the plunge.

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

Nah, right before the plunge, that look is "Oh, I forgot to take my partner into account. Too late now..."

Because the whole first fight, they were both assuming the fight would be one-on-one, not considering that Watson might jump in.

[ninja_penguin]

I had assumed that look was more of a 'oh blast it he's going to have to see this' look of regret, and would have preferred to just disappear off the balcony.

That said, the Holmes Moriarty head fight was my favorite part of the movie.

[Shyftir]

I loved this movie, did not see the first one. But I do have to say the ending.... was I the only one that felt the ending was kinda...? I mean...

It was a nod to how Sir Arthur Conan Doyle attempted to kill off Sherlock in just that same way, but popular appeal was so great that he brought him back anyway. It's okay to ignore reality like "hard water" (Falling that far into water still results in death by massive trauma.) Because no matter how fast your mind is, fighting is done by instinct and muscle memory with a bit of situational awareness. It's Rule of Cool.

[Mutant Sheep]

I don't think any interpretation of Holmes will ever top Star Trek's.

Thank you so much for this.

Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd was an awesome show. Terribly written futuristic redos of poorly done classics? Recipe for awesome tv show.

[Atreyu the Masked LLama]

It was a nod to how Sir Arthur Conan Doyle attempted to kill off Sherlock in just that same way, but popular appeal was so great that he brought him back anyway.

Technically, popular appeal was so great that a company paid Sir Arthur lots of money to bring him back. Sir Arthur was done writing stories for the Great Detective and had wanted to move on to other things.

As for the movie, I enjoyed it. I thought it expounded well on what the first one established and brought back some good running gags. I did have one problem with it, though.

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In the first movie, its revealed that everything that happened was orchestrated by Moriarty so he could steal a piece of the machine for radiowave technology. However, that technology never came up in the second movie. Did I miss something in the second movie that referenced it? (Details may be slightly off, my apologies if they are.)

[Gwyn chan 'r Gwyll]

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In the first movie, its revealed that everything that happened was orchestrated by Moriarty so he could steal a piece of the machine for radiowave technology. However, that technology never came up in the second movie. Did I miss something in the second movie that referenced it? (Details may be slightly off, my apologies if they are.)

No, I don't believe you did miss anything... Huh, I hadn't thought of that.

[comicshorse]

Technically, popular appeal was so great that a company paid Sir Arthur lots of money to bring him back. Sir Arthur was done writing stories for the Great Detective and had wanted to move on to other things.

As for the movie, I enjoyed it. I thought it expounded well on what the first one established and brought back some good running gags. I did have one problem with it, though.

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In the first movie, its revealed that everything that happened was orchestrated by Moriarty so he could steal a piece of the machine for radiowave technology. However, that technology never came up in the second movie. Did I miss something in the second movie that referenced it? (Details may be slightly off, my apologies if they are.)

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Didn't they use a remote controlled bomb to blow up the meeting where Moran shoots the target as well ?