Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)

Detective Sherlock Holmes is on the trail of criminal mastermind Professor Moriarty, who is carrying out a string of random crimes across Europe.

Director:

Guy Ritchie

Writers:

Michele Mulroney, Kieran Mulroney

Stars:

Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Jared Harris

3 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Downey Jr.	...	Sherlock Holmes
Jude Law	...	Dr. John Watson
Noomi Rapace	...	Madam Simza Heron
Rachel McAdams	...	Irene Adler
Jared Harris	...	Professor James Moriarty
Stephen Fry	...	Mycroft Holmes
Paul Anderson	...	Colonel Sebastian Moran
Kelly Reilly	...	Mary Watson
Geraldine James	...	Mrs. Hudson
Eddie Marsan	...	Inspector Lestrade
William Houston	...	Constable Clark
Wolf Kahler	...	Doctor Hoffmanstahl
Iain Mitchell	...	Auctioneer
Jack Laskey	...	Carruthers
Patricia Slater	...	Shush Club Maitre D'

Storyline

With Dr. John Watson about to marry and end their partnership, a disconsolate Sherlock Holmes occupies his time investigating the schemes of his archenemy, Professor James Moriarty. However, when Moriarty warns that he considers the Watsons a legitimate target for his retaliation against the detective, Holmes must save them and get John involved in one last case. To do so, they join the Roma lady Madam Simza Heron's quest to find her missing brother, Renee, who may be the key to defeating Moriarty. Together, the trio find themselves involved in a dangerous international conspiracy led by the Napoleon of Crime in which the fate of all of Europe hangs in the balance.

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Plot Keywords:

gypsy woman | man disguised as a woman | investigation | riding a freight train | climbing outside a train | 

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some drug material

Did You Know?

Trivia

Stephen Fry also appears in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014). Also appearing in that film is Sir Christopher Lee, who has played Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes, as well as Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, who also appear together as the modern-day Holmes and Watson in Sherlock (2010).

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Goofs

When Watson first goes to Holmes' flat, Mrs Hudson hints that she is concerned at Holmes' mental state but suggests a stay in a "sanatorium". This would instead imply he needed rest and treatment for tuberculosis, which is what was provided at a sanatorium. The word was only later, and especially in the USA rather than England, also used to describe a hospital for those with a mental illness.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Dr. John Watson: [voice-over] The year was 1891. Storm clouds were brewing over Europe. France and Germany were at each other's throats, the result of a series of bombings. Some said it was the Nationalists. Others, the anarchists. But as usual, my friend Sherlock Holmes, had a different theory entirely.

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Crazy Credits

SPOILER: The closing title "THE END" appears as part of Dr. Watson's manuscript; Holmes corrects the manuscript to make it "THE END?"

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Connections

Referenced in AniMat's Crazy Cartoon Cast: Jasmine's Song and Mulan's No Songs (2018)

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Soundtracks

Larking Around
Written by Adam Summerhayes
Performed by Adam Summerhayes & Emil Chakalov

User Reviews

A more action-packed Holmes

"Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadow" picks up where the prequel left off; Holmes is tracking down Professor Moriarty, a man he believes is responsible for a series of bombings and mysterious deaths around world. With the help of his pal Watson (off to be married soon), and a gang of gypsies, which includes The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo's Noomi Rapace, set out on a game of cat-and-mouse to find the schemes of the sinister Professor.

Though there is an element of mystery in this film, it is not as in-depth as the first film. Rather the focus is on the action sequences and clever humor. This is not necessarily a bad thing though; in fact it helps move the plot along. The first film suffered because the story was slow. In this Holmes though, there is not one second that drags. The story itself is not special, but its pace is what counts. Walking out of the theater, I felt refreshed and glad that I saw this movie.

Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are once again a true treat to watch as Holmes and Watson. Their chemistry and interactions are perfect; it's easy to tell that both had fun with the script and with each other. Jared Harris as Professor Moriarty gives a solid performance, as a cold, manipulative, power hungry villain. Unlike Mark Strong in the first film, he is a believable antagonist. Noomi Rapace is a nice flavor as Madam Sim.

The set and costume designs are exquisite, bringing to life of what Europe was like in the late 1800s. I smell Oscar for these departments. The sound and editing is crisply done, and the music is top-notched—Hans, you're truly the best. The visual effects are mostly good, but some scenes were a bit over the top and borderline ridiculous. One of many examples include a woman being thrown from a fast moving train into a river, without sustaining injury or even dying. This is impossible. Then again, it's Hollywood. The filmmakers aren't doing their job if a sense of the ridiculous is not thrown into an action flick from time to time.

"Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadow" delivers as a great, action-packed, and a rather humorous, popcorn loving flick. Note: the dog dies again.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site [Spain]

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English French Italian German Romany

Release Date:

16 December 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sherlock Holmes 2

Filming Locations:

Richmond Park, Richmond, Surrey, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$125,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$39,637,079, 18 December 2011

Gross USA:

$186,848,418

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$543,848,418

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Village Roadshow Pictures, Silver Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Datasat Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1