I dug Guy Ritchie’s “Sherlock Holmes” enough two years back. I thought it had the best production design of that year and a brilliant score to boot. Both were recognized at the Oscars. Judging by the trailer for “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,” just-premiered at Apple, the design is richly detailed once again. I’m left a bit cold overall, mainly because I have literally no idea what’s going on (beyond the fact that Jared Harris looks predictably awesome as Moriarty). Not that I need the plot rolled out in full or something, but anyway, check out the trailer by clicking the image below or watch an embed after the jump.
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22 responses to “‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’ trailer”
After watching the BBC series I will have trouble enjoying this film. I thought the first was barely mediocre. The only improvements this franchise seems to have over the TV show is Hans Zimmer and Jared Harris.
Kris, where’s Guy?
He’s been on vacation for two weeks in Italy, the lucky bugger. He just got back, though, so he’ll be posting again soon.
Surprisingly really enjoyed the last one due to the chemistry of the actors, the story, and the great production design. I’m sure this would eventually get stale, but I rather have hollywood provide sherlock stories than anymore jack sparrow adventures.
Lovely, and I did enjoy the last one, but these things begin to all look like Pirates of the Caribbean 5 or 6.
LOUD NOISES!
The first one was enjoyable trash (about a 6/10 on my scale) but hardly anything more. I hated Downey’s overacting (I fail to see how he won a Golden Globe and would’ve preferred to see Law in the role) and especially McAdams’ AWFULLY written character. Irene Adler was such a beguiling and interesting character in the original stories and its a shame Ritchie couldn’t capture that in the first film. Not to mention that the twist was thrown in there at the last minute. I understand that I’m practically screaming at the top of my lungs with this comment, but that movie was such a disappointment. Turning S.H. into an action hero just doesn’t work.
Hopefully this will be better. I really like how the trailer takes note of Rapace.
And yes, I’m much more interested in a Sherlock Holmes franchise than another Pirate movie.
I do get the feeling that this franchise will go the way of the “Pirates” films. I liked the first “Holmes”, and the first “Pirates” but this trailer is making me worried.
I’m with Starr. I wasn’t a huge fan of the first movie, and after seeing the BBC miniseries last fall I can’t imagine any Holmes interpretation measuring up.
Side note: both leads in the BBC series play important roles in Jackson’s Hobbit movies. Pretty cool imo.
Cumberbatch is not only in The Hobbit but also Tinker Tailor and War Horse. The guy is obviously having a breakout year and deservedly so.
I agree with the sentiments of this looking like it could turn into another Pirates-type franchise. To be honest, I didn’t really pay all that close attention to the plot of the first one since I was so entertained by Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law’s performances and chemistry together. I assume the same will probably going with this one, despite the fact that I don’t really have any idea what’s going on in the trailer except that people are getting shot at and lots of things are blowing up.
“Saved by kitty litter.” – Catwo… Sherlock Holmes
Looks fun, like the first one. Simple as that.
I hope to enjoy Downey/Law, chuckle at the witty banter, get jolted by the action, and be wowed by the visuals once again.
“Only on iTunes trailers…and YouTube”
I enjoyed the first, this trailer looks good, but yeah, I have no idea what is going on… I wish McAdams was in this one again though too.
I’m not especially clear on the plot, but the first one’s trailers weren’t particularly representative of the film either. I enjoyed the first one quite a lot, mainly for the interplay between Holmes and Watson (and for Watson being competent).
Yup, pretty much like the first one, but at least it has an actor from one of my favorite shows so I’ll check it out. Forget how good Noomi Rapace looks out of Dragon Tattoo.
Speaking of television, emmy noms come out tomorrow. You or Guy have any thoughts, Kris? Especially with Carlos being eligible in the miniseries categories this year.
Kris, I thought I read somewhere that Rachel McAdams will briefly appear in this film? True/false?
When I first heard that they were gonna do a new Sherlock Holmes series I was so exited because I do love a good film noir. However, I was truly disappointed.
NOT loving the Shanghai Noon treatment.
I think anybody who has watched the BBC modern interpretation will agree that the movie pales in comparison. It isn’t Sherlock Holmes at all; it’s more of “RDJ as an action hero in Victorian times”.
I do like the chemistry between RDJ and Jude Law but Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman absolutely nail the Holmes-Watson relationship and their respective characters. Also helps that the writing for the tv series really captures the original spirit in ACD’s books.
I’m not sure how anyone can stomach the BBC series. I think Benedict Cumberbatch makes for an anemic and cold Holmes while Martin Freeman’s “everyman” Watson is deeply unappealing and bland, and the series itself has no style or atmosphere or good writing to speak of. Not to mention that it somehow manages to add brand new sexism and racism to an adaptation of a series of Victorian novels.
The films are quite light, admittedly, but I enjoy the energy of them and I think RDJ makes a good comedic Holmes and Jude Law’s Watson is probably the best on-screen portrayal of the character that I can think of, and is pretty much the only live-action version that is true to the spirit and intelligence of the character in the books. I do wish the it was all a bit less silly, but to me it is far superior to the BBC series, which is just as silly but lacks any sort of charm or flair or wit.