Ridiculously Late Reviews: Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows

[awanderingbard]

So I finally saw the Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes sequel tonight. Have I mentioned I haven't been to the movies in three years? The last movie I saw in theatres was Star Trek. I kinda think I should wait for the sequel now, just to make a nice bookend thing.

Anyway! Game of Shadows thoughts below the cut. Rambling and spoilery.



First off, I enjoyed it. Not as much as the first one, but I still enjoyed it. I loved the first forty-five minutes or so, when it was mostly Holmes and Watson being delightful together. That's all I ask for in a Holmes adaptation. Holmes and Watson being bros.

Such subtle sweetness from Holmes, as it should be. Hugging Watson when he realizes he's getting married, safe guarding the ring because he knows Watson has a gambling problem, holding his hand to get him into the church because Watson doesn't have his cane, the bittersweet look on his face when he knows he's lost Watson to Mary, going to Moriarty to try and keep Watson and Mary safe. Really great, subtle character moments beautifully portrayed by both actors.

The Ritchie movies are very respectful of Watson's character. I really like Watson deducing with Holmes, being useful to him instead of just standing around being awed. Law!Watson gets things done and I love that.

Once we got into the actual plot, the movie started to lose me. Everything that happened in Germany was completely unnecessary and not true to the original stories. I've never been a canon nazi. I can enjoy most things without stressing over whether they match the canon, but the entire section in the woods was completely not in keeping with a Holmes story and went on far too long. I can handle my Holmes being able to fistfight and kick ass. Fair enough. But nowhere in a ACD story were there ever explosions, missiles or machine guns. No.

Otherwise, I liked it. Mycroft and Mary were great, I love how Mary can totally hold her own with Holmes and Watson. I also liked seeing a happier version of a Sherlock/Mycroft relationship. I accept that Ritchie!Holmes had a fling with Adler and I thought Holmes' reaction to her death was really well handled. Downey's Holmes is adorable and ridiculous and I enjoy him.

But no to Germany. No.

Comments

[joonscribble.livejournal.com]

I think my biggest beef with this movie was the overly indulgent use of the slo-mo feature. It made the movie feel so much longer than any movie should have to be.

[awanderingbard.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the forest section was horrific with the slo-mo. I liked the slo-mo last movie, but that was ridiculous. Taking it up to eleven is not always the best action, people.

[rodlox.livejournal.com]

slo-mo is good when it's showing the step-by-step thinking (of Holmes and of Moriarty)...but gratuitous slo-mo? no thanks, cinema.

[guardian-chaos.livejournal.com]

I think I liked this movie for all of the same reasons you liked it. Sometimes I think that all I truly crave in a movie is intense caring between at least two of its characters. In terms of plot, I view that as a second-hand concern. I just want to see the love, for Pete's sake! Why spoil that with things like plot? Pshaw!

But yes, all of the Germany bits I sort of let my mind go lucidly through. The gypsies were fun, though. I quite liked Noomi Rapace's character.

[awanderingbard.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I know I definitely write more for characters than plot, and I appreciate characters more than plot too. I really love the Ritchie!Holmes/Watson relationship. It's so spot on with these two guys who care about each other and trust each other implicitly and just, like, know each other. It's different relationship from the BBC!Sherlock/John one, because Ritchie!Holmes/Watson are openly affectionate with each other, where BBC!Sherlock spends most of his time trying to pretend not to care while BBC!John stands around looking frustrated. It works for both sets of characters and settings, but I do enjoy the openness of the Ritchie!Holmes/Watson affection. I also like that Mary isn't a bitch.

/ramble

I liked that the gypsies didn't come off as too stereotypical and when they did, it was obvious the gypsies themselves were purposely playing up the stereotypes.

[rodlox.livejournal.com]

a good review for a good movie.

>safe guarding the ring because he knows Watson has a gambling problem,
I liked that. on the other hand, I didn't like that Holmes took Watson to a gambling den.

the movie left me in a bit of denial: I refuse to believe that Irene Adler is dead.

[awanderingbard.livejournal.com]

Someone on tvtropes pointed out that you can see her moving after she supposedly died. I'm hoping they'll find a way to bring her back. She's Irene Adler. She can survive anything.

[rodlox.livejournal.com]

it would be wasteful and stupid to destroy something you may need later - and if there's one thing the books and films agree upon, it is that Moriarty is not stupid. Therefore, all he needed do was keep Irene from interfering...a paralytic or something temporary would have sufficed.