Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

“Thus we endeavor on Operation see-as-many-movies-as-I-can-before-I-go-home-for-Christmas-and-possibly-fall-behind-again. While movie watching back in Texas is a possibility, it’s not a guarantee.

Anyways, remember how I was saying there’s a list of actors and directors and such that I follow? On that favorite directors list is Guy Ritchie. We’ve established that Snatch is in my Top 10. I’ve loved all of his movies (okay, there’s one I refuse to watch, but we will not speak of it). The gritty violence and witty dialogue is perfectly right up my alley. I was actually so excited when I’d heard he was helming the first Sherlock Holmes two years ago. This one kinda felt like more of the same.

Granted, its a good same, but I def felt more familiarity and less excitement. Although maybe some of that was that I’d gotten over the whole OMG-House-really-is-based-on-Sherlock-Holmes realization. But with the same tone, the same twists, the scenes playing out the same, the “”ooh shiny””‘s were less enthusiastic than before. Dont get me wrong, I love all of that (especially the slo-mo shots…or the fight scene break downs) but nothing to really get me going.

The one addition that I did entirely appreciate wasJared Harris as Moriarty. I am a fan of his on Mad Men, but this was def a character departure from Lane Pryce. He just exuded such cunning and cleverness, he certainly brightened up the screen in a kinda dark way. Though the true bright spot was Jude Law. The original flick is what made me a fan, and I can’t help but adore his Watson. Really liked Noomi Rapace. She was so strong and beautiful, and I’m getting quite excited to see her break into mainstream Hollywood.

Robert Downey Jr, of course, did not disappoint. Again, a big sameness to his Holmes from before, but it’s still a very welcome character. The one thing that was running thru my mind was just the presence that this man has. I caught a glimpse of him at the Captain America world premier. I was the first one in the crowd to spot him in the distance, and that moment really did take my breath away. Without thinking I muttered “”Oh my God, it’s Robert Downey Jr””, alerting the rest of the crowd so we could all try and get him to come greet us (sadly, he didnt). I dont know how to describe it, but when he was on that red carpet, you could just feel him there, even 20, 30, more feet away. I’ve had lots of adventures in the past year where I’ve crossed paths with celebs, but nothing ever felt like this. There’ve been others I’ve been more excited for, but no one that’s commanded such a massive crowd that way. Kinda awe inspiring really.

My one big complaint is that it felt like there was a bit of a false ending (which is a huge pet peeve of mine). Things got set up, they felt like they were done, but oh hey there’s another 40 minutes. If I get myself mentally ready for the end, but you keep going, you’d better have a damn good actual ending.

Sherlock Holmes – A Game of Shadows – \m/ \m/ \m/

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