Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Master sleuth returns in entertaining but violent adventure.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that, like its predecessor, this entertaining Sherlock Holmes adventure is filled with several scenes of action violence and mayhem. Though the fight scenes are very choreographed and stylized, they're bone-crunching and often brutal. And the slo-mo effects sometimes make the anticipation of the impact almost worse than the impact itself. Knives, guns, and bombs are all in use; there's also one scene of torture and a suicide. There's also a fair bit of innuendo, one scene of a naked man from behind, some mild language ("bastard" and "damn), pipe smoking, and social drinking. Holmes (again played by Robert Downey Jr.) dons women's clothing in one sequence.

  • There's lots of iffy stuff going on here, but Holmes and Watson's friendship is a powerful example of loyalty. Also, Holmes continues to remind audiences to pay attention to even the smallest of details because the answers to our questions, big and small, lie in them.
  • Holmes' sharp mind continues to be admirable, his eccentricities notwithstanding. And Watson remains straightforward and forthright. The friends always fight for good, even if their methods are sometimes iffy. Watson's wife, Mary, has a bigger role in this film, proving herself equal to the task of crime-fighting.
  • The film is filled with highly choreographed fights and lots of other action violence. Bare hands, brass knuckles, poison arrows, knives, guns, bombs -- you name it, it's here. Holmes is also tortured in one scene, and there's a suicide. Some scenes are almost balletic because of how directed and maneuvered they are, but they're still bone-crunching and (sometimes) bloody -- and the slow-mo shots can sometimes make the anticipation of the impact even worse.
  • Lots of innuendo (much of which is likely to go over younger kids' head) and suggestive banter, flirting, and a kiss. In a scene that's intended to be comic, a man is shown naked from behind as he casually exposes himself to a woman. 
  • Swearing includes "damn," "hell," "bastard," and "my God" (as an exclamation).
  • Not applicable.
  • A man smokes a pipe (accurate for the era). References to how one character is hopped up on coca leaves. Social drinking -- Holmes likes his liquor.

What's the story?

The world has gone mad. Bombs are going off in Strasbourg and Vienna, an American mogul has dropped dead, and a prince has committed suicide. The events may seem random, a cacophony of chaos. But as the intrepid and eccentric detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) soon discovers, there's a brilliant and masterful villain on the loose: Professor Moriarty (Jared Harris). And he's not just after power and wealth: He's after Holmes. He's also gunning for Holmes' right-hand man, Dr. John Watson (Jude Law), who's just gotten married but may not be quite retired from sleuthing.


Is it any good?

 

Is SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS any good? Is Robert Downey Jr. talented? Clearly, the answer to both is affirmative. How can this franchise not be entertaining with the likes of him playing a historically fascinating lead (and Law as a gutsy Watson)? The film even looks entertaining: The tableau is drained of color, etched in charcoal, but still very stylized, which fits director Guy Ritchie's signature. He's assured another hit.
 

But is it great? Perhaps expectations are raised too high, but it feels like the bloom of the movie's specific visual and storytelling style is fading a bit. Ritchie's swift deconstruction of Holmes' thought process seem wasted on what-if situations instead of on actual detective work. And, yes, the bromance between Holmes and Watson is charming, but it's clear when Holmes faces Moriarty that the movie hungers for more of that type of confrontation. It's an iconic match-up, and it's too bad we don't spend much time with it and Holmes' other misadventures. Let the master detective detect!


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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about how the new Sherlock Holmes movies' take on the famous detective compares to previous ones. Why do you think the filmmakers decided to up the action and violence in these films?

  • Why does Watson put up with Holmes' shenanigans, especially when they interfere with his relationship to his betrothed?

  • How does this film handle its good-versus-evil theme? Are the good and bad sides always clearly defined? Is that important?


This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Teen, 14 years old
December 21, 2011
 
Holmes Is Back and Better
The movie could be a little too much for a kid under 13. Its a great movie, it felt very tight and never dragged on. Its really exciting, escpecially with good effects showing bullets wiss by. As for seggistive things, the violence can be pretty brutal, bullet holes are shown in dead bodies and the suicide scene, MIGHT need a little maturity to see, as it is a little iffy. But its a great movie, good for kids 13 and up (maybe 12 with a few "look down" moments)

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Adult
December 20, 2011
 
Good Teen/Adult film
Lots of violence and drinking, saloons/bar scenes. But good messages of loyalty, good vs. evil and right winning out. Lots of humor. Heavy at times, especially in the beginning. Definitely entertaining for the older teen and adult.

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Teen, 17 years old
December 18, 2011
 
Sloppy sequel is still fun, still very violent
Sherlock Homes: A Game of Shadows, just debuted into theaters on Friday, and already it looks like it could be yet another one of those big box office disappointments that have been ever so much populating this year as a depressing little fact that people utterly tired and exhausted of sequels, remakes, reboots and other films of the sort. People are just tired of it. We want new kinds of movies. Still, it actually managed to be a fairly decent sequel to a fairly decent movie, with a much better villain, good action sequences, and a almost exhausting amount of slow-motion sequences that will give you a sure headache by the time the whole thing is done and over with, but so far, it still appears that it is going to be a very average franchise. So: The usual content is here, just like the original: Frequent and very intense action violence, some grisly images of dead bodies, one very crude scene containing brief nudity, frequent drinking, smoking and one drug reference. Also, there is a bit more profanity than the original, but it is still very infrequent so that it barely matters. So, if you liked the original, definitely check this one out if you can get the chance to do so this Christmas season, Just don't expect the third one to be a masterpiece, either.

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Teen, 17 years old
December 20, 2011
 
AWESOME MOVIE
This movie isn't that innapropriate. My 8 year old sister watched it. It is AMAZING!

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Kid, 12 years old
December 18, 2011
 
GREAT movie
Good Movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Teen, 16 years old
December 22, 2011
 
Way better than the first
Parents i'll start by saying this is an amazing movie. If you enjoyed the first one you'll love this one. If you hated the first one and are hoping for a more traditional sherlock holmes story, this movie is not for you. Content wise- overall cleaner than the first one. violence- no gross bodies plenty of fist-fights and gun fights like the first one some of this is in slow motion which makes it more intense. Sexual content- plenty of sexual humor and one scene where a man is naked and books are strategically placed so you don't see anything. Language- not bad couple uses of d--n and the h word one scene where watson calls holmes b---d numerous times. Overall- this is a good action movie with a good story with a liitle bit of sexual content. Please if you enjoyed the first one go see this now! F.Y.I.- no supernatural elements this time.

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Teen, 15 years old
December 22, 2011
 
Sequal still brings great action, surprises, mysteries, and good comedy.
I watched this with my friends on December 21, 2011 and we all loved it. But that doesn't mean that movies won't have down sides to it (meaning everything has pros and cons). There are some parts where you see some bloody stains on bodys after an amazing, intense action scene. Lots of destrucion on structures and buildings. A ton of slow motion moments (even when the main hero plans out how to take out certain villan[s]). There is even a scene where a man is naked (only showing his chest, back, arms, and head gladely). If you like movies that will make you think, movies with amazing slow-motion scenes, and movies with great comedy; then watch this movie 100%.

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Kid, 13 years old
December 23, 2011
 
The Profound Pair Previals!
Again, you will be stupified by this masterpiece of a sequel as you were with the first! Great plot and wonderful cast! Some gunfights, fist fights (with slo mo like the first) and torture scene, gives this movie a well deserved PG-13. But I think that if your child is 12 or above they will be able to handle it. A bit unrealistic, though. A huge brick tower fall down on two men, with one climbing down the tower, yet they all survive with minimal damage. Two men tumble off a 3000 ft waterfall and survive. Really? But overall, this was an enjoyable and long awaited sequel!

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Teen, 17 years old
December 29, 2011
 
The Dynamic Duo Strike Again!
I have found this movie to be a great rendition of the Sherlock Holmes series and how Sir Arthur Conan Doyle would've wanted his character to be like. I have seen it three times and absolutely love it. Better than the first in my opinion (and I loved the first). A true fan of the Holmes series and all things Sherlock would enjoy this movie. Especially if you are into filming. The overall shooting, acting, and special effects of this film are magnificent. Guy Ritchie (director) has done an excellent job. All of the camera angles, slow motion sequences, and everything are second to none. There are a few sequences of intense violence, that are not that graphic. Very mild language, little bit of nudity, and a bit of drugs (which is to be expected since it is Sherlock Holmes we're talking about). Plenty of humor, fun, good morals, and cleverness. Overall an excellent movie that I recommend anyone to see. It'll keep your mind enthralled and exuberated.

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Teen, 14 years old
January 2, 2012
 
Still quite violent, lacks storyline but just what you'd expect from a 12A rated film
Guy Ritchie's take on the Sir Conan Doyle's classic is an action-packed thriller. I enjoyed the first film and love the slow-motion action sequences. I always find with these films is they lack in story and plot. Mainly, it's all about the action and Holmes' eccentric character and sharp mind. Except for Jude Law who plays Holmes' side-kick, Watson - I find the acting a bit weak from other characters. What families need to know is the film focuses a lot on the action: there is guns, brutal fights - basically anything you can expect from a 12A/PG-13 rated film. The language isn't that bad and the sexual innuendo is as you'd expect at a minimum.

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This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
Topics:book characters, friendship
Studio:Warner Bros.
Director:Guy Ritchie
Cast:Jared Harris, Jude Law, Robert Downey Jr.
Genre:Action/Adventure
Run time:129 minutes
Theatrical release date:December 16, 2011
MPAA rating:PG-13
MPAA explanation:intense sequences of violence and action, and some drug material

This review was written by S. Jhoanna Robledo
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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