The film opened on 16 December 2011, with an opening weekend of $40 million.
Plot
In 1891, Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) delivers a package to Dr. Hoffmanstahl—payment for a letter he was to deliver. Hoffmanstahl opens the package, triggering a hidden bomb which is prevented from detonating by the intervention of Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.). Holmes takes the letter and disposes of the bomb while Adler and Hoffmanstahl escape. Holmes later finds Hoffmanstahl assassinated. Adler meets with Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris) to explain the events, but Moriarty poisons her with fast-acting tuberculosis—deeming her position compromised by her love for Holmes.
Some time later, Dr. Watson (Jude Law) arrives at 221B Baker Street, where Holmes discloses that he is investigating a series of seemingly unrelated murders, terrorist attacks, and business acquisitions, that he has connected to Moriarty. Holmes meets with the gypsy Simza (Noomi Rapace), the intended recipient of the letter he had taken from Adler, sent by her brother Rene. Holmes defeats an assassin sent to kill Simza, but she flees before Holmes can interrogate her. After Watson and Mary's (Kelly Reilly) wedding, Holmes meets Moriarty for the first time. Moriarty informs Holmes that he murdered Adler and will kill Watson and Mary if Holmes' interference continues.
Moriarty's men attack Watson and Mary on a train to their honeymoon. Holmes, having followed the pair for protection, throws Mary from the train into a river below where she is picked up by Holmes's waiting brother Mycroft (Stephen Fry). After defeating Moriarty's men, Holmes and Watson travel to Paris to locate Simza. When she is found, Holmes tells Simza that she has been targeted because Rene is working for Moriarty, and may have told her about his plans. Simza takes the pair to the headquarters of an anarchist group to which she and Rene had formerly belonged. They learn that the anarchists have been forced to plant bombs for Moriarty.
The trio follows Holmes's deduction that the bomb is in the Paris Opera. However, Holmes realizes too late that he has been tricked and that the bomb is in a nearby hotel; the bombing kills a number of assembled businessmen. Holmes discovers that the bomb was a cover for the assassination of Meinhart—one of the attendees—by Moriarty's aide, the sniper-for-hire Sebastian Moran (Paul Anderson). Meinhart's death grants Moriarty ownership of Meinhart's weapons factory in Germany. Holmes, Watson, and Simza travel there, following clues in Rene's letters.
At the factory, Moriarty captures and tortures Holmes, while Watson enters a firefight with Moran. Moriarty reveals that he owns shares in multiple war-profiting companies, and intends to instigate a world war to make himself a fortune. Meanwhile, Watson uses a large cannon to destroy a lighthouse in which Moran is concealed. The structure collapses into the warehouse where Moriarty is holding Holmes captive. Watson, Simza, and an injured Holmes reunite and escape aboard a moving train. Holmes deduces that Moriarty's final target will be a peace summit in Switzerland, creating an international incident.
At the summit, Holmes reveals that Rene is the assassin and that he is disguised as one of the ambassadors—having been given radical reconstructive surgery by Hoffmanstahl to alter his appearance. Watson and Simza begin searching for signs of the assassin while Holmes and Moriarty-also in attendance-retreat outside to discuss their competing plans. Watson and Simza find Rene and stop his assassination attempt, but Rene is himself assassinated by Moran. Outside, Holmes confesses that he stole Moriarty's personal diary in Germany—the only record of his plans and finances—and replaced it with a duplicate. The original was sent to Mary in London who decrypted the code using a book that Holmes had noticed in Moriarty's office during their first meeting. Mary passes the information to Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan) who seizes the bulk of Moriarty's assets, financially crippling him. Holmes and Moriarty anticipate an impending physical confrontation that both realize Moriarty would win, given the advantage with Holmes' injured shoulder. Holmes opts to instead grapple Moriarty and lunges them both over the balcony and into the waterfall below.
The bodies of Holmes and Moriarty are not recovered, resulting in the both of them being declared dead. Following Holmes' funeral, Watson and Mary prepare to have their belated honeymoon when Watson receives a package containing a breathing device of Mycroft's that Holmes had been seen using right before the summit. Realizing that Holmes is still alive, Watson leaves his office to find the delivery man. Holmes, having concealed himself in Watson's office using his urban camouflage suit, reads a fresh eulogy on Watson's typewriter and adds a question mark after the words "THE END".
Cast
- Robert Downey, Jr. as Sherlock Holmes[5]
- Jude Law as Dr. John Watson[5]
- Noomi Rapace as Madame Simza Heron[6]
- Jared Harris as Professor James Moriarty[7][8]
- Stephen Fry as Mycroft Holmes[7][9]
- Kelly Reilly as Mary Morstan-Watson[5]
- Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler[10]
- Eddie Marsan as Inspector Lestrade[11]
- Geraldine James as Mrs. Hudson[7]
- Paul Anderson as Sebastian Moran[12]
- Fatima Adoum[13]
- Gilles Lellouche[14]
- Affif Ben Badra as Tamas
Production
After the success of the 2009 film Sherlock Holmes, a sequel was fast tracked by Warner Bros. with director Guy Ritchie dropping out of an adaptation of Lobo and Robert Downey, Jr. leaving Cowboys & Aliens.[15] It was unclear if Rachel McAdams would appear in the film. McAdams said, "If I do, it won't be a very big thing. It's not a lead part".[16] On 4 February 2011, Warner Bros. confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that McAdams would play a part in the sequel.[10]
The film was reported to be influenced by Conan Doyle's The Final Problem.[4] While the film took place a year after the events of the first film,[4] Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows was intended to be a stand-alone film that did not require knowledge of the previous film.[4]
In October 2010, Downey, Jr. and Jude Law were seen rehearsing a fight scene as shooting took place in Richmond Park, in south-west London.[17] In October 2010, the steamship PS Waverley was chartered on the English Channel for filming, and a large green screen was erected at Didcot Railway Centre with a large action scene filmed there in mid-November.[7] In late November, a scene was filmed at Victoria Bridge, which is part of the Severn Valley Railway. In January 2011, scenes were also filmed at Hampton Court Palace. Filming also took place in September 2011 in Greenwich at the Royal Naval College.[18]
In early February 2011, principal photography moved for two days to Strasbourg, France. Shooting took place on, around, and inside theStrasbourg Cathedral. The scene was said to be the opening scene of the film, as it covered an assassination/bombing in a German-speaking town.[19]
The film was released on 16 December 2011 in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, and is scheduled to be released on 25 December 2011 in most countries, 30 December 2011 in India and 5 January 2012 in Australia and Spain.[5]
After the success of the 2009 film Sherlock Holmes, a sequel was fast tracked by Warner Bros. with director Guy Ritchie dropping out of an adaptation of Lobo and Robert Downey, Jr. leaving Cowboys & Aliens.[15] It was unclear if Rachel McAdams would appear in the film. McAdams said, "If I do, it won't be a very big thing. It's not a lead part".[16] On 4 February 2011, Warner Bros. confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that McAdams would play a part in the sequel.[10]
The film was reported to be influenced by Conan Doyle's The Final Problem.[4] While the film took place a year after the events of the first film,[4] Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows was intended to be a stand-alone film that did not require knowledge of the previous film.[4]
In October 2010, Downey, Jr. and Jude Law were seen rehearsing a fight scene as shooting took place in Richmond Park, in south-west London.[17] In October 2010, the steamship PS Waverley was chartered on the English Channel for filming, and a large green screen was erected at Didcot Railway Centre with a large action scene filmed there in mid-November.[7] In late November, a scene was filmed at Victoria Bridge, which is part of the Severn Valley Railway. In January 2011, scenes were also filmed at Hampton Court Palace. Filming also took place in September 2011 in Greenwich at the Royal Naval College.[18]
In early February 2011, principal photography moved for two days to Strasbourg, France. Shooting took place on, around, and inside theStrasbourg Cathedral. The scene was said to be the opening scene of the film, as it covered an assassination/bombing in a German-speaking town.[19]
The film was released on 16 December 2011 in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, and is scheduled to be released on 25 December 2011 in most countries, 30 December 2011 in India and 5 January 2012 in Australia and Spain.[5]
Soundtrack
The soundtrack to this film was composed and produced by Hans Zimmer. The soundtrack was released on December 13, 2011. Purchase of the physical, enhanced CD includes an insert allowing the free download of three bonus tracks from the score.[20][21][22]
Track Listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Artist(s)Length
1. "I See Everything" Hans Zimmer 0:39
2. "That Is My Curse (Shadows – Part 1)" Hans Zimmer 1:51
3. "Tick Tock (Shadows – Part 2)" Hans Zimmer 8:12
4. "Chess (Shadows – Part 3)" Hans Zimmer 7:34
5. "It’s So Overt It’s Covert" Hans Zimmer 3:19
6. "Romanian Wind" Hans Zimmer 1:56
7. "Did You Kill My Wife?" Hans Zimmer 2:42
8. "He’s All Me Me Me" Hans Zimmer 1:56
9. "The Mycroft Suite" Hans Zimmer 1:41
10. "To The Opera!" Renato Girolami 4:03
11. "Two Mules For Sister Sara" Ennio Morricone 2:34
12. "Die Forelle" Julius Drake 3:22
13. "Zu Viele Füchse Für Euch Hänsel" Hans Zimmer 1:47
14. "The Red Book" Hans Zimmer 4:00
15. "Moral Insanity" Hans Zimmer 1:31
16. "Memories Of Sherlock" Hans Zimmer 2:11
17. "The End?" Hans Zimmer 2:26
18. "Romani Holiday (Antonius Remix)" Hans Zimmer 5:38
19. "Shush Club No. 3" (Bonus Track) Hans Zimmer 4:31
20. "Beautiful Eyes" (Bonus Track) Hans Zimmer 2:13
21. "Just Follow My Lead (The Waltz)" (Bonus Track) Hans Zimmer 4:44
The soundtrack to this film was composed and produced by Hans Zimmer. The soundtrack was released on December 13, 2011. Purchase of the physical, enhanced CD includes an insert allowing the free download of three bonus tracks from the score.[20][21][22]
Track Listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Artist(s)Length
1. "I See Everything" Hans Zimmer 0:39
2. "That Is My Curse (Shadows – Part 1)" Hans Zimmer 1:51
3. "Tick Tock (Shadows – Part 2)" Hans Zimmer 8:12
4. "Chess (Shadows – Part 3)" Hans Zimmer 7:34
5. "It’s So Overt It’s Covert" Hans Zimmer 3:19
6. "Romanian Wind" Hans Zimmer 1:56
7. "Did You Kill My Wife?" Hans Zimmer 2:42
8. "He’s All Me Me Me" Hans Zimmer 1:56
9. "The Mycroft Suite" Hans Zimmer 1:41
10. "To The Opera!" Renato Girolami 4:03
11. "Two Mules For Sister Sara" Ennio Morricone 2:34
12. "Die Forelle" Julius Drake 3:22
13. "Zu Viele Füchse Für Euch Hänsel" Hans Zimmer 1:47
14. "The Red Book" Hans Zimmer 4:00
15. "Moral Insanity" Hans Zimmer 1:31
16. "Memories Of Sherlock" Hans Zimmer 2:11
17. "The End?" Hans Zimmer 2:26
18. "Romani Holiday (Antonius Remix)" Hans Zimmer 5:38
19. "Shush Club No. 3" (Bonus Track) Hans Zimmer 4:31
20. "Beautiful Eyes" (Bonus Track) Hans Zimmer 2:13
21. "Just Follow My Lead (The Waltz)" (Bonus Track) Hans Zimmer 4:44
Reception
Critical response
The film received generally mixed to positive reviews from critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 59% of 170 critics have given the film a positive review, with a rating average of 6 out of 10. The consensus is "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is a good yarn thanks to its well-matched leading men but overall stumbles duplicating the well-oiled thrills of the original".[23]Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, gives the film a score of 49 based on 37 reviews.[24] CinemaScore polls reported that the average grade moviegoers gave the film was a "A-minus" on an A+ to F scale. [25]
Roger Ebert gave the film three and a half stars out of four, calling it "high-caliber entertainment" that "add[s] a degree of refinement and invention" to the formula, and that the "writers ... wisely devote some of their best scenes to one-on-ones between Holmes and Moriarty."[26]James Berardinelli gave the film three stars out of four, writing: "A Game of Shadows is a stronger, better realized movie that builds upon the strengths of the original and jettisons some of the weaknesses."[27] Conversely, Keith Phipps of The A.V. Club felt that the film "aims lower than its predecessor's modest ambition, and still misses the mark."[28]
The film received generally mixed to positive reviews from critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 59% of 170 critics have given the film a positive review, with a rating average of 6 out of 10. The consensus is "Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is a good yarn thanks to its well-matched leading men but overall stumbles duplicating the well-oiled thrills of the original".[23]Metacritic, which assigns a weighted average score out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, gives the film a score of 49 based on 37 reviews.[24] CinemaScore polls reported that the average grade moviegoers gave the film was a "A-minus" on an A+ to F scale. [25]
Roger Ebert gave the film three and a half stars out of four, calling it "high-caliber entertainment" that "add[s] a degree of refinement and invention" to the formula, and that the "writers ... wisely devote some of their best scenes to one-on-ones between Holmes and Moriarty."[26]James Berardinelli gave the film three stars out of four, writing: "A Game of Shadows is a stronger, better realized movie that builds upon the strengths of the original and jettisons some of the weaknesses."[27] Conversely, Keith Phipps of The A.V. Club felt that the film "aims lower than its predecessor's modest ambition, and still misses the mark."[28]
Box office
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows topped the US and Canada box office on its opening day making $14.6 million,[29][30] down from the the opening day gross of the original film ($24.6 million).[31] In the U.K. A Game of Shadows achieved a revenue of £3.83m over a three-day period, compared to the £3.08m in two days of the original film.[32] In a slow weekend of takings, the film grossed $39.6 million in North America, leading the box office but earning much less than the opening weekend of the first film ($62.3 million).[33] The film made $14.7 million overseas.[citation needed]
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows topped the US and Canada box office on its opening day making $14.6 million,[29][30] down from the the opening day gross of the original film ($24.6 million).[31] In the U.K. A Game of Shadows achieved a revenue of £3.83m over a three-day period, compared to the £3.08m in two days of the original film.[32] In a slow weekend of takings, the film grossed $39.6 million in North America, leading the box office but earning much less than the opening weekend of the first film ($62.3 million).[33] The film made $14.7 million overseas.[citation needed]
Sequel
Warner Bros. has announced that the first draft for Sherlock Holmes 3 is being produced with screenwriter Drew Pearce writing the script.[34]
Warner Bros. has announced that the first draft for Sherlock Holmes 3 is being produced with screenwriter Drew Pearce writing the script.[34]
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