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Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Noomi Rapace, Rachel McAdams, Jared Harris ... see more see more... , Stephen Fry , Paul Anderson , Kelly Reilly , Geraldine James , Eddie Marsan , William Houston , Wolf Kahler , Iain Mitchell , Jack Laskey , Patricia Slater , Karima Adebibe , Richard Cunningham , Marcus Shakesheff , Mark Sheals , George Taylor , Michael Webber , Mike Grady , Alexandre Carril , Victor Carril , Thorston Manderlay , Ben Badra , Daniel Naprous , Lancelot Weaver , Vladimir Furdik , Jacques Senet Larson , Nicolas Senet Larson , Sebastian Senet Larson , Alexander Devrient , Fatima Adoum , Stanley Kaye , Thierry Neuvic , Martin Nelson , Mark Llewelyn-Evans , Anthony Inglis , Ian Wilson-Pope , Pamela Hay , Laurence Dobiesz , Peter Stark , Roman Jankovic , Frederick Ruth , Carsten Hayes , Jonathan Christie , James McNeill , Laurentiu Possa , Maitland Chandler , Joe Egan , Clive Russell

Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) has always been the smartest man in the room...until now. There is a new criminal mastermind at large-Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris)-and not only is he Holmes' i... read more read more...ntellectual equal, but his capacity for evil, coupled with a complete lack of conscience, may actually give him an advantage over the renowned detective. When the Crown Prince of Austria is found dead, the evidence, as construed by Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan), points to suicide. But Sherlock Holmes deduces that the prince has been the victim of murder-a murder that is only one piece of a larger and much more portentous puzzle, designed by Professor Moriarty. The cunning Moriarty is always one step ahead of Holmes as he spins a web of death and destruction-all part of a greater plan that, if he succeeds, will change the course of history. -- (C) Warner Bros

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78% liked it

111,703 ratings

Critics

61% liked it

198 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 8 min.

Directed by: Guy Ritchie

Release Date: December 16, 2011

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DVD Release Date: June 12, 2012

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Stats: 9,492 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (9,492)

  • stuartb1234
    May 25, 2012
    stuartb1234
    Watch the trailer and you have seen the movie. Very poor sequel. If you like Holmes, stick to the BBC series, that has wit, intelligence and good acting. This pile of rubbish was more like Carry on Sherlocking than a real crime movie.
  • katykern8261
    May 22, 2012
    katykern8261
    Directed by Guy Ritchie, Warner Bros, 2011.

    Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Stephen Fry, Jared Harris, Noomi Rapace and Rachel McAdams.

    Genre: Action, Adventure, Crime

    Question: How often does a sequel come out as good as or better than the first? It's rare, I kno... read morew, but Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows might have just done it.

    I really enjoyed Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes (2009), so much so that I have probably seen it a half a dozen times. Sure, it may have been for Robert Downey Jr., but he's worth it, right? And that is probably why I saw the sequel. However, it wasn't just Robert Downey Jr. and his portrayal as the world's most famous "consulting detective" that brought me to the theatre this time. It was one of the first movies in a long time, it seems, that wasn't offered in 3D. Finally. It might have helped that A Game of Shadows was in D-BOX though. This was only my second movie viewing in the motion activated seats, and it won't be my last. Anyway...

    One thing that a lot of film-makers do when writing and making a follow-up to a blockbuster: adding in way too much of what worked the first time. It's usually the jokes, special effects, or quirky aspects, which are used sparingly, that help make the original a treat and leave us wanting more; but sequels usually get saturated with these details. It happens ALL THE TIME and it, in my opinion, ruins the sequel. Well, not this time.

    A Game of Shadows appears to start off relatively soon after where the previous story ended; and I wasn't sure I was going to like it. In fact, I thought it might be trying too hard by what I first witnessed. To be honest there was one aspect of the first film where I thought it was a bit on the hokey side, and I feared it was going down that path again or where the film-makers thought they had grabbed that elusive brass ring. Luckily, the story took a turn or did something I wasn't expecting at all. It was a shock, actually. Although I kept thinking that, "No, they didn't just do that", and that lingered in my head throughout the rest of the movie until I fully believed it. Nice one! I relaxed - well, as best I could in the ever-moving seats.

    I would love to go into detail about the story but if I did, I would just ruin it. Even though Sherlock Holmes is probably the only one who can receive this little amount of information and have the ending all figured out before he takes his next breath, I am stopping here anyway. But rest assured this story is worth seeing. It's more complex and ominous than the first; and I believe it might be best seen on the large screen. The very slow-motion scenes that occurred in Sherlock Holmes (2009) showed up here. No, I am not going to complain about that because I really enjoyed this specific effect. Plus, it was used just enough. And without a doubt, one slow-motion scene that takes place in a forest made the price of the ticket worth it - D-BOX or not.


    Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes and Jude Law as Dr. Watson, once again, made a great pairing in the sequel, and I can't wait to see them in another one. (Fingers crossed) Watching those two actors play off each other was almost like watching Fred and Ginger dance. I particularly enjoyed the banter back and forth between the two men. I wouldn't be surprised if there was even a little improv in their dialogue. A Game of Shadows shows a greater friendship, collaboration and balancing act that kept this film from being not just another action/adventure sequel.

    If you didn't see Sherlock Holmes (2009), it's no big deal (although I recommend seeing it, just the same). There is only one aspect from the first, a specific character: Professor Moriarity, who was mentioned but how they started the story in A Game of Shadows catches you up quickly. In addition, there are new characters introduced here - played by Noomi Rapace (From the Swedish version of the Stieg Larsson's trilogy) and Stephen Fry, who I hope is in the next one more, albeit more fully clothed. Yep, that's all I am going to say about that piece.

    My favorite thing: Robert Downey Jr. - of course.

    My least favorite: That the seats didn't move more. D-BOX helps you delve deeper into the story that you almost want it moving the entire time, no matter what's going on in the film. So. Much. Fun.

    Rating: PG-13
    Length: 129 minutes

    Review: 8 out of 10
  • Crashinkov
    May 4, 2012
    Crashinkov
    The perfect combination of action, comedy, mystery and adventure, plus effect's were amazing, wonderful directing,.. so ... as expected this movie was just as EPIC as the prequel perhaps even more.
  • FiLmCrAzY
    May 3, 2012
    FiLmCrAzY
    Its an entertaining movie thats enjoyable to watch! I loved Stephen Fry he was brilliant as usual.
    Its visually stunning again with Downey Jr being Funny as ever.
    Not sure how i feel about the storyline but to be honest it is thoroughly enjoyable that is worth a watch!
    Funny, en... read moretertaining and a great cast so worth a watch.
  • imrealgod
    April 28, 2012
    imrealgod
    It's cruel to tax an almost nonexistent brain, all the more when it's already tensed. When Sherlock says "timing", that should have cautioned me. Not that the movie is extremely complex, but I just couldn't get most of it because I was yawning. Bad timing. Not that I'd have grasp... read moreed the whole movie had I been not so sleepy, but I wouldn't have had a hard time understanding what's going on. The movie isn't that good, nonetheless. First one was way better than this one. Having seen it, I can fairly understand why many wrote it off. Acting is first-rate, and the same goes for action sequences. However, the plot is too weak, and its executed likewise. Also lacks witty dialogues. All in all, quite watchable if you're not feeling sleepy and are sober enough. And if you're having other commendable options at hand, this one need not be a priority.
  • allan913
    April 26, 2012
    allan913
    A spectacular, brilliant and wickedly cool edge of your seat action-packed adventure thrill-ride that packs more smarts, more thrills and more humor than the first. It`s better than the original. A superbly crafted and dazzlingly well-performend flick. An explosively hilarious an... read mored furiously enjoyable movie that sizzles with suspense that knocks your socks off. It`s loads of fun from start to finish. The perfect combination of action, comedy, mystery and adventure. A highly addictive cocktail of enjoyment. A pulse-pounding and tremendosuly entertaining movie. Director, Guy Ritchie returns to the directots chair of this wonderful film and brings great wit and style to the piece as well as keep its compelling characters intact. A non-stop joy-ride as well as a thrill-ride. Robery Downey Jr. and Jude Law are at their best, the are extreamly funny and loveable. They have the best chemsitry and continue to dazzle in every way. Downy Jr. proves to be as charasmatic as ever with another awesome performance. Jared Harris is brilliant as the infamous villian Moriarty. An instant classic. A Game Of Shadows is a true roller-coaster of fun.
  • fb7018436
    April 18, 2012
    fb7018436
    As usual Robert Downey Jr saves an otherwise terrible script.
  • blacksheepboy
    March 6, 2012
    blacksheepboy
    A silly yet enjoyable movie that continues to portray Holmes as a modern action hero. It doesn't try anything new compared to the previous chapter, going for a safe plot that is never daring. Even so, it is a lot of fun, with an exciting mind battle as the climax.
  • fb1576983399
    March 3, 2012
    fb1576983399
    Though somewhat entertaining, two hours of miscellaneous chaos simply resolved by the inexplicably smart Holmes does not make for a good movie. There is no suspense because no matter the situation, Holmes is invincible. Beyond that the humor is hit and miss and the story is poorl... read morey put together.
  • Chiefilms
    February 13, 2012
    Chiefilms
    Has a more accessible plot than the first, more about political conspiracy than gothic black magic, "DARKNESSES'!" I enjoyed this one a little more, more easy going and smooth. Has about 15 minutes of snooze time but for the most part it's great.

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Critic Reviews

Roger Moore
March 23, 2012
Roger Moore, McClatchy-Tribune News Service

If only they'd spent the cash on a bad guy with stature, instead of taking that phrase, "the banality of evil," so literally. Playing this Game might have been even more fun. Full Review

Bruce Diones
January 16, 2012
Bruce Diones, New Yorker

It's complete trash and makes a mockery of Holmes's vaunted deductive reasoning. Full Review

Adam Graham
December 16, 2011
Adam Graham, Detroit News

Downey's career is something of a game of shadows, but it's one still worth playing, for now. Full Review

Lisa Kennedy
December 16, 2011
Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post

Downey and Law remain this presumptive franchise's draw. Full Review

Peter Rainer
December 16, 2011
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

What this film really celebrates is crunch-and-thud video-game-style action, not especially well choreographed by director Guy Ritchie. Full Review

Bruce Demara
December 16, 2011
Bruce Demara, Toronto Star

It doesn't take a master of deduction to see that Ritchie has decided to play it too safe with this sequel. Full Review

Peter Travers
December 16, 2011
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

In an act of criminal negligence, Ritchie has wasted Robert Downey Jr. in a sequel that eliminates smarts in favor of relentless headbanging. Full Review

Stephen Whitty
December 16, 2011
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

Downey may think this interpretation is an insight, or funny, but it pushes what was already a rude rewriting of the classic characters into eye-rolling camp. And it throws everything off balance. Full Review

Richard Roeper
December 16, 2011
Richard Roeper, Richard Roeper.com

I was let down by this loud and flashy but utterly empty sequel. Full Review

Rick Groen
December 16, 2011
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

This movie wants to be a horse but, even measured in box-office millions, it's just another nag. Full Review

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    • Sherlock Holmes: Bishop to bishop eight....discover check...and incidentally....mate.
    • Madam Simza Heron: Can't you ride?
    • Dr. John Watson: It's not that he can't ride.How is it you put it holmes?
    • Sherlock Holmes: They're dangerous at both ends and crafty in the middle. Why would I want anything with a mind of its own bobbing about between my legs?
    • Sherlock Holmes: I said make it count! How many windows must I provide?
    • Sherlock Holmes: We are patiently waiting.
    • Dr. John Watson: For what?
    • Sherlock Holmes: Your window of opportunity. Make it count.
    • Sherlock Holmes: Do you need me to elaborate? Or can we just crack on?
    • Sherlock Holmes: Perhaps it's better for one to die alone than to live life in an eternal purgatory.
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