BLU-RAY
REVIEW:
SHERLOCK HOLMES: A
GAME SHADOWS
6/11/12
OVERVIEW: Sherlock Holmes has always been the smartest man in the room… until now. Join the legendary detective in an action-packed mystery when “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” arrives onto Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital Download on June 12 from Warner Home Entertainment Group.
Also available is the free “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows”Movie App for IOS 4.2 or higher compatible devices, including iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. The app synchs with the Blu-ray disc to provide enhanced content and interactive features and allows users to toggle between animatics, filmmaker video interviews and production photos for interactive breakdowns of action-packed scenes. In addition, the app controls playback of the film on your TV via Blu-ray player and lets viewers jump to any point in the film using the Full Report feature. The “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows”Movie App will be available through the Apple iTunes store on May 31.
The Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD include an UltraViolet Digital Copy of the standard definition theatrical version of the film, which allows consumers to download the film to a PC or Mac plus instantly stream it from a digital cloud to many computers, tablets or smartphones.
SYNOPSIS:
Around the globe, headlines break the news: a scandal takes down an Indian cotton tycoon; a Chinese opium trader dies of an apparent overdose; bombings in Strasbourg and Vienna; the death of an American steel magnate... no one sees the connective thread between these seemingly random events—no one, that is, except the great Sherlock Holmes, who has discerned a deliberate web of death and destruction. At its center sits a singularly sinister spider: Moriarty.
Holmes’ investigation into Moriarty’s plot becomes more dangerous as it leads him and Watson out of London to France, Germany and finally Switzerland. But the cunning Moriarty is always one step ahead, and moving perilously close to completing his ominous plan. If he succeeds, it will not only bring him immense wealth and power but alter the course of history.
FILM REVIEW: Detective Sherlock Holmes is still “working the case” as they say. His trusty sidekick, Dr. Watson (Jude Law) is about to be married to his sweet Mary and begin a life more fit for a Doctor. But wait! Europe, and possibly the world’s peace is at risk with mysterious bombs going off at the most inopportune moments and places. Now is not the time for Dr. Watson to retire into obscure domesticity.
If you watched the first Sherlock Holmes movie, you know that Robert Downey Jr.’s Holmes is not what we might remember from the classic book series. This Holmes uses extremely unusual methods to prepare for a case, such as abstaining from food and surviving on “tobacco, coffee and coca leaves” as Mrs. Hudson advises Dr. Watson.
Right from the start, Holmes knows more than well who is at the helm of these crimes, Professor James Moriarty, played to sinister perfection by Jared Harris. There is almost, dare I say, admiration of intellect between Moriarty and Holmes. It is enjoyable to see the wheels spinning as Holmes analyzes Moriarty’s moves but there is one unusual aspect in this one and that is that Holmes actually misses the mark on a couple of occasions. As I have said before, I am a huge fan of the Sherlock Holmes stories and although I didn’t think anyone could do justice to the films better than Basil
Rathbone, there is just something so deliciously exciting about seeing Mr. Downey in this part. There is one slight complaint I have about his portrayal this time and that is that instead of his having moments where he is “out of it” he seems to spend much of the film in this state.
A Game of Shadows can not be called a mystery. It is more like a “catch me if you can” film. Holmes practically hijacks Dr. Watson from his honeymoon and off they go chasing Moriarty through out Europe. Rachel McAdams makes a brief, albeit poignant cameo as Holmes love interest Irene Adler that affects his emotions throughout. Along for this ride is newcomer Noomi Rapace as Madam Simza Heron, a beautiful and mysterious gypsy in search of answers to her brother’s cryptic notes and drawings. The views are beautiful, the costumes perfect to period but what I loved the most were the guns. Yes, that’s right, I said the guns. Little known Priscilla fact, I love German artillery and lets just say I get my satisfaction in this movie. There is also a “blink and you’ll miss it” hilarious dance scene, but you’ll see what I mean when you go.
When I originally heard that the Sherlock Holmes films were being directed by Guy Ritchie, well lets just say I was not thrilled or impressed. Sorry, but the projects he was involved in while “Mr. Madonna” were not stellar works of cinematography. I have to eat my words though. With the first one I thought, great work but is it a fluke? With this 2nd film under his belt, he has totally won me over as a fan. I guess I have to say that I probably liked A Game of Shadows even better than I did the first Sherlock Holmes film. Go see it.
Review
By Priscilla
priscilla@smartcine.com
BLU-RAY:
The film is
presented in 1080P widescreen in a 2.40:1 aspect ration
preserving its theatrical format. The picture is just
flawless.Not only the picture looks great in
this release, also the sound it is good, a 5.1 DTS-HD Master
Audio (48kHz/24bit) in English, Spanish and French that provides a
good complement to the picture. It also includes
English Spanish French
subtitles.
VIDEO:
2.40:1 Anamorphic Widescreen 1080P
AUDIO:
English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English DVS 2.0 Dolby Digital,
French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Thai, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles -
ESDH, Latin Spanish, Parisian French,Thai, Korean,Chinese, Indonesian
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Maximum Movie Mode: Inside the Mind of Sherlock Holmes - Hosted by Robert Downey, Jr.
Focus Points:
§ Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson: A Perfect Chemistry
§ Holmes Without Borders
§ Moriarty's Master Plan Unleashed
§ Holmesavision on Steroids
§ Sherlock Holmes: Under the Gypsy Spell
§ Meet Mycroft Holmes
§ Guy Ritchie's Well-Oiled Machine
UltraViolet Digital Copy of the film
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