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Malkavian tells you what he thinks about Sherlock Holmes 2. (the movie)

MalkavianMalkavian
edited 2012-01-07 22:31:54 in General
MORONS! I'VE GOT MORONS ON MY PAYROLL!
So I'm sure I've let some subtle hints about how I'm a fan of Sherlock Holmes, what with bandying about phrases like 'favorite character of all time'. As a result, I awaited the supernatural-looking Sherlock Holmes of 2009 with baited breath.  It surprised me by actually keeping the the intellectual quirks of the character and by being an actual mystery, to say nothing of how great Jude Law was as Watson.

Sherlock Holmes 2, while not bad, is a classic victim of what I like to call 'Pirates of the Caribbean' in which the filmmakers decide that because to take what you liked in the first film and give you lots and lots more of it to the point that you drown in it. It's a classic idea that since we liked a little of something, we'd love a lot of it and that's really bad logic, as anyone with diabetes will tell you. As a result, the good parts of 2009 are less good because they're just exaggerated. They're still amusing, certainly, but at the expense of any tension in many moments.

Which is among the first of my problems with this films: Holmes' deductions. The first film did a good job of tying in his amazing intellect to plausible justifications. In this film, he might as well be psychic. Holmes predictions of what to do become blatant superpowers as things in the 'game' become more and more ridiculous. Another issue I have is with the gay 'sub'text. Now, while I prefer my Holmes to be asexual I am certainly open to different interpretations and certainly didn't mind how director Guy Ritchie played around with the romance. In this film, Ritchie must have seen the subtext of the BBC Sherlock series and decided he needed to outdo the series in all aspects. Here Holmes is found lying atop Watson in an awkward manner and they even ballroom dance together. It got to a point where I was wondering how they could be known to the public like they were in this film and not have been a bigger scandal than anything Oscar Wilde did.

Also, there isn't much of a mystery here. It's much more of an action-adventure film and Moriarty's scheme is pretty darn obvious from the minute the movie mentions rising international tensions. For me, the concept of the plot meant the writers were forcing themselves into a hole. Without wishing to spoil too much, this film basically has the biggest possible threat dangling that you could have dangling in Victorian historical fiction. A generous part of me wants to think this is because they wanted to end the series here, but the realist realizes that when Warner Brothers wants a third film, the writers are going to have to resort to something like a martian invasion.

Also, there's the women in the film. Good God, the women. Rachel McAdams was utterly terrible in the last film as Irene Adler, being unable to sell the Femme Fatale role she was given. The writers realized this and promptly killed off in what those of the comic fandom recognize as a classic example of 'fridging' as her only point in the film is give Sherlock some points of angst. Naomi Rapace is alright, but almost completely ancillary, providing only some help in finding plot points. She's certainly more tolerable than McAdams but ultimately the tacked-on and half-assed romance feels like 'we're totally not gay' out for any homophobic viewers.

The best part of the film is definitely the oddly quiet climax which pushes the 'game' metaphor to an almost comedic point though not to a point where it breaks the film. It also features the intellectual deconstructions of the action scenes which were something I loved from the first film and was sad not to see more of here. It's definitely the most emotionally resonant part of the film and most engaging, but after all the bombastic steampunk action scenes we've seen it feels oddly out of place.

SH2 is leaving this review without at least a theater recommendation. It's funny and exciting, and an enjoyable two hours at the movie, but it's in serious danger of becoming a dull franchise. It's stretched the plausibility of Holmes' deductions and the abilities of all the characters when they were already superheroes. If a sequel ever comes refocusing to become a tighter story is a must.

Comments

  • CountryPumpkinCountryPumpkin
    I clench my fists and yell "anime" towards an uncaring, absent God, and swear solemnly to press my thumbs into Chocolate America's eyeballs until he is blinded, to directly emasculate sporting figures, to beat the shit out of tumblr users with baseball bats, and to quietly appreciate what Waylon Smithers being gay means to me.
    Is this Watson Good Watson or Stupid Watson?
  • MalkavianMalkavian
    MORONS! I'VE GOT MORONS ON MY PAYROLL!
    Jude Law is pretty the best Watson to hit the silver screen. He's more gay Watson than stupid Watson.
  • MillerCrossMillerCross
    You can change. You can.
    You know, I was thinking the other day that I didn't dare to pay for the sequel precisely because I feared that they might go and make SH 2 just as badly as Pirates 2.
  • ClockworkUniverseClockworkUniverse
    OOOooooOoOoOOoo, I'm a ghoOooOooOOOost!
    Good writeup.

    Out of curiosity, are you following Sherlock?
  • MillerCrossMillerCross
    You can change. You can.
    The fact that he referred to the series (And the premiere had way much more gay subtext than the previous season as whole) makes me think "Yes"
  • MalkavianMalkavian
    edited 2012-01-07 22:47:24
    MORONS! I'VE GOT MORONS ON MY PAYROLL!
    ^^I'm now reminded of visiting my cousin in NYC when we passed a street performer playing the Mario theme and my response is the same.

    'I'm a little offended you have to ask.'

    I had a few problems with the season premiere (I thought the bondage thing was a bit much, especially for a supposed family show) but overall I dug it, especially how they show Holmes' deductive abilities working.
  • ClockworkUniverseClockworkUniverse
    OOOooooOoOoOOoo, I'm a ghoOooOooOOOost!
    >.>

    Dammit, the one time I skim, I don't get away with it T_T
  • MillerCrossMillerCross
    You can change. You can.
    SUFFER FOR YER SINS

    I had a few problems with the season premiere (I thought the bondage thing was a bit much, especially for a supposed family show) but overall I dug it, especially how they show Holmes' deductive abilities working.

    I didn't read the original Adler story, but I thought she was, well, supposed to be dominant, just not in...you know, such a explicit way?
  • MalkavianMalkavian
    edited 2012-01-07 22:52:12
    MORONS! I'VE GOT MORONS ON MY PAYROLL!
    On a note, Juan, this film doesn't shit itself anywhere near as much Pirates 2 did. Its plot makes sense, for one.

    ^In the original story she's opera singer who tries to blackmail royalty so she can start a new life in Canada. The only words Sherlock's version shares are 'blackmail royalty'. 
  • MillerCrossMillerCross
    You can change. You can.
    Yeah, but I'm not gonna pay for an average sequel that takes everything I mildly enjoyed out of the first part and exaggerates it till I don't like it.
  • MalkavianMalkavian
    MORONS! I'VE GOT MORONS ON MY PAYROLL!
    Fair enough. It's still worth a rental or torrent in my eyes.
  • ClockworkUniverseClockworkUniverse
    edited 2012-01-07 22:55:16
    OOOooooOoOoOOoo, I'm a ghoOooOooOOOost!
    The thing about Adler is that she's really exaggerated in adaptations because, well, she's the only strong female character in the canon, as far as I'm aware (it's been awhile since I read any of it, sadly; I should open up my massive complete annotated edition again sometime).
  • MillerCrossMillerCross
    You can change. You can.
    Well, yeah, notice my wording. I never said I wouldn't watch it. I just wouldn't pay for it (As in, go to the theater and give ten of my precious precious bucks)

    ^In the original story she's opera singer who tries to blackmail royalty so she can start a new life in Canada. The only words Sherlock's version shares are 'blackmail royalty'. 

    Ah, gotcha. Still, I liked her femme fatale role way better than MacAdams. 

    I felt that the premiere was a bit too sexually charged at times, but it was definetly an improvement, considering how relatively poor the last two episode of the previous season were. Although I guess that's more because of Moffat. I'm certainly not hoping much for Gatiss' episode.
  • MalkavianMalkavian
    edited 2012-01-07 23:00:07
    MORONS! I'VE GOT MORONS ON MY PAYROLL!
    She's the only female character of any note, besides maybe Watson's wife Mary. The big thing about her is that she's the only one to best Holmes and as such had his complete respect.

    Fans interpreted that as romantic interest because obviously a man can't respect a woman unless he wants to bone her. >_>

    ^Oh, agreed. I have to say I really don't like their Moriarty in Sherlock. I shouldn't be wondering if Moriarty is still working towards his Masters. 

    Honestly I don't think there's been a weak episode of Sherlock. Just ones I pick more issues out of and sound harsher to than, say Smallville, because it's an inverse of good-to-bad.
  • ClockworkUniverseClockworkUniverse
    OOOooooOoOoOOoo, I'm a ghoOooOooOOOost!
    ^One thing I didn't like about her version in Sherlock is that [she loses to him and then he has to go save her].

    I mean, come on, the one thing she does to make her worth adapting as opposed to making up a new character, and they take it out.
  • MalkavianMalkavian
    MORONS! I'VE GOT MORONS ON MY PAYROLL!
    Yeah. I suppose it's because at three episodes a season they can't have an episode without Sherlock triumphing. Also, while the ending solution was cute and memetic it felt rather goofy.
  • ClockworkUniverseClockworkUniverse
    OOOooooOoOoOOoo, I'm a ghoOooOooOOOost!
    Incidentally, am I the only one who got flashbacks to Let's Kill Hitler there?
  • MillerCrossMillerCross
    You can change. You can.
    Honestly I don't think there's been a weak episode of Sherlock. Just ones I pick more issues out of and sound harsher to than, say Smallville, because it's an inverse of good-to-bad.

    I felt the second episode was rather weak and slowish. The third took about half an hour to kick in, but when it did kick in, it was pretty good, and it led to quite an amazing end.

    I'm...of two minds with Moriarty, actually. And I think that's part of the intention. I like the misanthropic, conniving little bastard in the inside who's clearly playing everyone (And having sick fun while doing so) but I dislike the Joker face he puts on.
  • ClockworkUniverseClockworkUniverse
    OOOooooOoOoOOoo, I'm a ghoOooOooOOOost!
    I kinda like Moriarty's attitude, because it makes for a very hateable, and I'd argue realistic, character. He isn't just evil. He's an asshole.
  • MalkavianMalkavian
    MORONS! I'VE GOT MORONS ON MY PAYROLL!
    I definitely think Moriarty should be less Joker and more Riddler.
  • MillerCrossMillerCross
    You can change. You can.
    Definetly, although a balance would be nice (And it certainly seems to be heading that way, seeing as how this Moriarty was a teensy bit less Jokerish than the Moriarty we saw at the end of the first season. I still love his shouting, though. It's the right degree of scary and unexpected)
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