Film Analysis: A Game Of Shadows

In this chapter we approach the new embodiment of Sherlock Holmes, such as the films Sherlock Holmes (2009), Sherlock Holmes: The Game of Shadow (2011) and the British series Sherlock.

3.1 Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Sherlock Holmes was the first Sherlock Holmes film adaptation directed by Guy Ritchie. It was released on 25 December, 2009. Starring in the role of Sherlock Holmes is Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law as Dr. John Watson, Rachel McAdams as Irene Alder and Mark Strong playing Lord Blackwood. The film Sherlock Holmes is a 2009 British – American action mystery film based on the characters of the same name created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Guy Ritchie 's film is filled with sensational sights, over – the – top characters and a desperate

Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law return as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. The film is influenced by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 's story, "The Final Problem". While the film takes place one year after the events of the first film, “A Game of Shadows” is intended to be a stand-alone film that does not require knowledge of the first film.

The plot of A Game of Shadows revolves around Sherlock Holmes investigating a series of crimes which take him on a trip around Europe. He believes these crimes to be connected to Professor Moriarty, a man with superior intellect, not unlike Holmes himself.

After the success of “Sherlock Holmes (2009 film)” and “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows”, Warner Brothers gave the go-ahead to produce a third instalment, hiring writer Drew Pearce – who worked on the other two films – to write the script, with producer Dan Lin saying in December 2012, that the film was "in

Where usually the viewers follow the lead character by “listening in” on his thoughts as Sherlock makes his observations and analysis or, in the case of Guy Ritchie’s films, planning a few steps ahead which are then shown in slow motion, the series director Paul McGuigan suggested putting the thoughts directly on screen for the viewers to follow. It happens often throughout the series that seemingly random keywords flash on screen when Sherlock is thinking or analysing, that text messages appear on the screen instead of the camera focusing on the phone display or that clues are shown and linked to individual pieces of evidence. The contemporary setting of the show allows its writers to exploit graphics in order to fully display Sherlock’s ingenuity: we’re treated to split-second deductions via liberal use of kinetic typography and glimpses into his “mind palace,” an imaginary architecture of memories accessed via corridors and stairwells. Using this unique technique to portray Sherlock’s thinking process allows the viewers a glimpse into the workings of the detectives’