Sherlock Holmes 1 and 2

This entry is for both movies.

(Wikipedia) Sherlock Holmes is a 2009 British-American action mystery film based on the character of the same name created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The film was directed by Guy Ritchie and produced by Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey and Dan Lin. The screenplay by Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham and Simon Kinberg was developed from a story by Lionel Wigram and Michael Robert Johnson. Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law portray Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson respectively. In the film, Holmes and his companion Watson, with aid from former adversary Irene Adler, investigate a series of murders connected to occult rituals. Mark Strong plays the villain Lord Blackwood, who has somehow returned after his execution with a plot to take over the world using an arsenal of dark arts and new technologies.

(Wikipedia) Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (aka Sherlock Holmes 2) is a 2011 British-American action mystery film directed by Guy Ritchie and produced by Joel Silver, Lionel Wigram, Susan Downey, and Dan Lin. It is a sequel to the 2009 film Sherlock Holmes, based on the character of the same name created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The screenplay is written by Kieran Mulroney and Michele Mulroney. Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law reprise their roles as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson, respectively, as the duo join forces to outwit and bring down their most cunning adversary, Professor Moriarty, played by Jared Harris. The film is specifically influenced by Conan Doyle's work The Final Problem, but it is an independent story rather than a strict adaptation.

Plot Excerpts (Wikipedia):
Sherlock Holmes One: In 1891, London detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) and his partner and flatmate Dr. John Watson (Jude Law) race to prevent the ritual murder of a woman by Lord Henry Blackwood (Mark Strong), who has killed five other young women similarly. They stop the murder before Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan) and the police arrive to arrest Blackwood.

Three months later, Holmes' eccentric behavior again annoys Watson. While he enjoys their adventures together, Watson looks forward to marrying Mary Morstan (Kelly Reilly) and leaving 221B Baker Street. Meanwhile, Blackwood has been sentenced to death and requests to see Holmes in prison, where he warns of three more unstoppable deaths that will cause great changes to the world. Blackwood is subsequently hanged and pronounced dead by Watson. Three days later, Holmes is visited by Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams), a professional thief and his former adversary, who asks him to find a missing man named Luke Reordan. After her departure, Holmes follows her as she meets with her secret employer, hidden in the shadows of a carriage. The concealed man states that Reordan is the key to Blackwood's plans. Holmes only learns that the man is a professor and that he intimidates Adler.....etc, etc.

Sherlock Holmes Two (A Game of Shadows): 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 Mary (Kelly Reilly) and Watson's 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...etc, etc

I liked both of these movies, with different parts better in each. In number One the cool scientific stuff behind a lot of the How'd-he-survive-that moments was really nice, and in Two the intense fight action, explosions, and slow-motion (not something you usually see in a detective movie) were amazingly done.
One downside to number Two though is that Holmes seems even more eccentric (if that's possible) - and although there is more action there isn't as much cool geeky science stuff that I so much like in number one.
I really should read the original books, as they say A Game of Shadows is only loosely based on any original works and that the author had plans of actually killing off Holmes (O.o).
Holmes in general when I first watched these movies seemed out of character - as I had at first thought Watson was more of the thinker of the two - though Holmes is so amazingly aware, smart, and oddly psychic when it comes to fighting that you just ignore his eccentricity and still like him.

Though both movies have semi-nude scenes that I don't like, number Two also has some weird parts where Holmes is dressed as a lady - and doesn't fit the part well so it seems kind of gross.

The part from number One where Holmes is boxing is one of it's best parts in my opinion, though in number Two the action scenes are much more sad (as a few minor French characters die) - though I am a big fan of Holme's wedding present to Watson, lol (Holmes almost dies twice [actually three] throughout).

The "bad-guy" in the 2nd movie (Moriarty) is much more agreeable and less menacing than the occultic Blackwood of the first, and as a secondary character I actually like the gypsy Simza (shown left) better than Holmes' "lover" Irene Adler, even if she isn't that good a fighter.


All in all I probably enjoyed number Two better (the occult stuff in One is a real turn-off), but only slightly so I shall still rate them both a 4 out of 5 stars - even if number Two is more solid in that rating than One.

Now, the best quotes? I don't remember any specific one's from number One at the moment, but from number Two when the ex-British Army sniper says "That's not fair!" during the gun showdown between him and Watson is a good one, and I laughed out loud. XD