Movies 2012: Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

[katikat]

This was a love story, right? The story of Holmes' love for Watson, right? I did understand it correctly, right?

I really didn't pay much attention to the plot, I went to see this film for the eye-candy and for the slash. And of that there was aplenty.

Sherlock's reaction to Watson's wedding. Sherlock's reaction to Moriarty's threat to Watson and his wife - which lead to Holmes crashing Watson's honeymoon and to him basically committing suicide to protect Watson. I mean, Holmes knew that he couldn't stop Moriarty but if he let Moriarty live, Watson was as good as dead.

And Watson. His reaction to Holmes leaving the wedding. To Sherlock's first "death". To Sherlock's second "death" - I was glad they didn't overplay that part, Jude Law was perfect in that scene.

And the dancing. And Mycroft. And Sim...

But I like Sherlock's Moriarty better, he's much creepier and scarier. This Moriarty was a genius, but nothing but an opportunistic butcher. Sherlock's is a sociopath who wants to have fun, first and foremost, and he would do anything just to not be bored. And that's much scarier.

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows 9/10

Comments

[keire_ke]

TVTropes offers a beautiful summation: "Possibly the most blink-and-you'll miss it examples is both times when Holmes appears to have died. We see him looking at Watson, and then smiling and closing his eyes. The second time, as he goes down the waterfall, there is a very deliberate shot of him keeping his eyes closed all the way down. He's making sure Watson's face is the last thing he sees." They also go on to point out that Moriarty was as good as destroyed, and Holmes' sacrifice was only to protect Watson.

In other words, yes, I wholeheartedly agree. The whole movie is Holmes desperately trying to save the love of his life, even if he knows he is saving him for someone else (not that Watson didn't have his moments, like the sudden lack of smile when Holmes leaves after the wedding and going batshit when Holmes dies).

[katikat]

Exactly! I could care less about the plot and historical inaccuracies, I'm in it for Holmes and Watson and they were BEAUTIFUL! And the fact that Holmes sacrificed himself for Watson, completely unselfishly, is beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time.