Bill Crider advised me not to rush out and see Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows. I think Bill mentioned something like “it’s good, but not great.” We finally got around to seeing this second Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey, Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Watson. If you’ve seen the first of Downey’s Sherlock Holmes movies, you have seen the template for this second film: action, humor, fast-paced plotting. Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris) remains Holmes’ arch rival. I enjoyed this film with its tangled plot and entertaining cast. Sherlock Holmes: Game of Shadows isn’t Sherlock Holmes in the traditional sense, but it will serve until the Real Thing shows up. GRADE: B+
As much as I like Downey in general, I found his accent awful and his Holmes unwatchably awful. Law was better as Watson but no way would I see this one.
You have to cut a lot of slack to Downey and Law to appreciate their HOMLMES/WATSON act, Jeff. Diane and I find it mildly entertaining. But Conan Doyle, it is NOT.
But then, I think Guy Ritchie is about on a level with his ex-wife and that level is bad.
True, Jeff.
I don’t mind Ritchie’s quirks, and things blow up real good.
You’re right, Bill. I can’t remember many explosions in the original Sherlock Holmes canon.
I just don’t understand why they have to make Sherlock Holmes like every other action movie hero. These movies are too busy for my taste.
You can blame it on MTV and the lack of attention span, Patti.
I like Guy Ritchie. ROCKNROLLA is one of the most wildly entertaining flicks I’ve ever seen. But like others have mentioned, his take on Doyle is a bit jarring. I hope he goes back to more modern pieces.
As long as the SHERLOCK films make money, Warner Brothers will make more of them, Drongo. I’ll have to check out ROCKNROLL.
Any MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. fans? Be afraid, be very afraid.
Guy Ritchie will direct a film adaptation, which could begin pre-production as early as January, 2012.
At least it’s closer to his period.
This is supposed to be followed by Sherlock Holmes 3.
I watched a couple of episodes of THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E. online, Jeff. Dull, dull, dull.
Sandi and I saw this over Christmas after refreshing our memories with the first film. No one will mistake Downey for Basil Rathbone or Jeremy Brett but we found it entertaining. Definitely not Doyle but I did not mind. I don;t have to be a purist.
My sentiments exactly, Scott. Downey and Law are a far cry from Rathbone and Bruce, Scott. But, I enjoy them all.
George, you must have watched the wrong episodes of U.N.C.L.E. The third season was godawful(I think they took cues from the Batman show). The first and fourth seasons were the best, the second not far behind.
I can’t bring myself to watch either of the Holmes movies though a fan of Downey in general. As others eloquently state, Holmes it is not.
I’d have to say those online episodes were from the third season of THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E., Randy. I found them silly and dull. Downey and Law may not be the classic Holmes and Watson, but their movies are mildly entertaining. Not for purists, though.
I haven’t seen the first one yet, but it’s at the top of the Netflix queue. This one will get there eventually. I’ve pretty much decided that for these, I’ll just think of the names matching other characters I’ve seen and read as a huge coincidence. Or something. Supposed to be in good fun, so we’ll see. As for U.N.C.L.E., I watched a few of the early shows, but I want James Bond and got a lot less, or so it seemed to me.
You have the right frame of mind to enjoy the Downey/Law SHERLOCK HOLMES movies, Rick. I have mixed feelings about a MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E movie.
I’m in the camp that loves these liberal adaptations of the Doyle’s characters. I enjoyed the first one quite a bit and liked this one even more. For the type of film it is meant to be it leans much closer to the ‘great’ category for me. Easily an “A-“. Downey, Jr. has found his niche with this kind of performance and I won’t be disappointed if they make a few more that are at least as good as these have been.
Downey brings humor to the Holmes character, Carl. Usually Watson, in the form of Nigel Bruce, was supposed to supply the laughs. I’ll keep watching Downey’s Holmes as long as he makes the movies.