Marvel’s The Avengers is a box office hit, topping The Dark Knight’s midnight premier
The Avengers (2012 film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
records and emerging as #1 opening weekend at $207,438,708 [1] in the United States and Canada alone. However, is this highly acclaimed film worth the hype? Or is it simply another blockbuster blown out of proportion? Even many of the staunchest critics agree – The Avengers is a superhero masterpiece.
Incorporating elements from the previous films, The Hulk, Iron Man, Iron Man II, Thor, and Captain America, The Avengers embodies a fantastic medley of the Marvel Universe’s greatest heroes and villains, all the while, paving the way for the next installments. It is highly comedic and intensely action-packed, superior to the Transformers series which attempts a similar plot-line in Dark of the Moon.
The Avengers opens up with a most ominous, alien voice, rambling on about some plot which entails the power-hungry Loki, banished of Asgard, like something produced by Garage Band’s “deeper vocals” voice modifier. Following this singular introduction, we find SHIELD agents and scientists (some from Thor) working diligently at unlocking the secrets of the divine Tesseract, a source of seemingly ultimate and limitless power. Albeit, as one might expect of the suspenseful setting, their experimentation goes terribly wrong. The Asgardian device suddenly reacts with a violent burst of light and generates a portal, which may be likened to the destructive force which presumably annihilated the Red Skull in Captain America: The First Avenger, sending forth the vengeful Loki who is bent on conquering Earth with an army given him in return for the Tesseract. The available SHIELD agents surround the self-proclaimed “god,” albeit are disposed of by a few blasts of Loki’s newly acquired staff. Nick Fury arrives on the scene, shooting a few rounds in vain, whilst Loki uses his staff to mind-control the mercenary Hawkeye and Dr. Erik Selvig to aid in his escape. The next few moments are without respite – the SHIELD complex sinks underground, collapsing inward as a maelstrom, due to the effects of the Tesseract. Fury and company give chase, although lose their quarry and are forced to flee.
On less dramatic grounds, fan-favorite Tony Stark and his girlfriend Pepper Pots, are debating who deserves the most credit for Stark Tower – a top of the line, self-sufficient complex inspired by the reactor core. Amusing quarrel aside, SHIELD Agent Phil Coulson -promptly arrives with a briefing for Iron Man, in preparation for the “Avengers Initiative” – it would appear the world is once again in peril and only the aforementioned team of heroes can save it.
In another part of the world, Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow), after dispatching with a Russian general, is sent to extract Dr. Bruce Banner (The Hulk), and Director Fury introduces Steve Rogers (Captain America) to the Initiative. The team slowly comes together as the peril grows greater, and there is much dissonance among the members, as they fight to recapture Loki, and then amongst themselves (Thor vs. Captain America & Iron Man) to retain him. All the while, the preparations for Loki’s army is nearly complete… will the team be able to come together and save the world, or will the alien apocalypse fall upon them?
The Avengers is a barrel of fun, with enough intrigue to keep the audience guessing until the end and a good portion of comedy to provide the necessary balance. It introduces [to the series] the developmental process of a team, rather than a single protagonist. The villain is likewise in control of a massive army and it is evident another power is pulling the strings at the start, adding depth. In this way, it separates itself from its superhero predecessors outside of the animated realm, attaining the claim by some that it is “the best superhero movie ever.”
Family Perspective
This time around, the violence gets a little bloody, with the death of a great number of characters (as opposed to those scenes which are given little reflection), some more evident than others which are merely suggested.
Language is fairly minimal, albeit a few curse words are used in the course of the film.
Natasha Romanoff, portrayed by Scarlett Johansson, remains a source of eye-candy, albeit not as overt in as in the Iron Man films and much more of an independent protagonist. Her top, during the Russian interrogation, is low cut and gratuitous during fighting scenes, yet the “buck stops there” so to speak, in that the female form is not exploited for the vast remainder of the film (note: at the beginning, Pepper Pots wears “short-shorts,” she, however, plays a minor role in the film and takes up only a small fraction of screen time), aside from the skin tight suits.
The Avengers is better suited to teen and adult audiences, especially on account of much more mature conceptions and visuals.
Notable Quotations
“Earth’s mightiest heroes type-thing. / Yeah. Takes us awhile to get any traction, I’ll give you that one. But let’s do a headcount here. Your brother the demigod, the super soldier living legend who kind of lives up to the legend, a man with breathtaking anger management issues, a couple of master assassins, and you, big fella, have managed to [anger] every single one of them.” -Tony Stark to Loki
“You miss the point, there’s no throne. No version of this where you come on top.” -Tony Stark to Loki
“I’m in the middle of an interrogation, this moron is giving me everything.” -Black Widow
“I’m bringing the party to you. | I don’t see how that’s a party.” Iron Man | Black Widow
“How desperate are you? You call on such lost creatures to defend you. / It burns you to have come so close. To have the tesseract, to have power – unlimited power. And for what? A warm light for all mankind to share, and then to be reminded of what real power is.” -Loki
“Well, let me know if real power wants a magazine or something.” -Nick Fury
Christian Perspective
The Avengers delves deep into what it means to be a hero, as clashing egos and selfish motives are put aside for teamwork and integrity.
Captain America, Steve Rogers, stands for traditionalist, Christian America, when, after a remark is made about Loki and Thor’s “godhood,” retorts “I mean no disrespect ma’am, but there’s only one God, and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t dress like that!” All the while calling for team to unite and realize their duty.
References are made to the macro-evolutionary theory, as Loki jokingly states he had thought “humans were more evolved” than they were behaving. Loki, furthermore, observes the depravity of man and the hopeless nature therein (without a remedy).
Kid Icarus: Uprising is the latest Nintendo 3DS game released by Nintendo and designed by Masahiro Sakurai, creator of the hit Smash Brothers series.
Introduction
You play as the angel Pit, following the orders of Palutena, the goddess of light and protector of
Kid Icarus: Uprising (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
humanity, as you fight against the resurrected Medusa. Your journey takes you from towns to spaceships, futuristic landscapes to ‘natural’ wonders – each equally captivating, with an added vibrancy due to the extra dimension of 3-D. The story, however, does not end after your primary objective, taking an unexpected turn and extending gameplay exponentially as a result. Chapters may also be replayed at different intensity levels, from practically effortless to an infernal onslaught which may pose a challenge for even the most experienced of players.
Gameplay
Ease of gameplay has been disputed among players, however, it is certainly do-able. Albeit more suited to right-handed players, lefty’s should by no means be deterred, as only simple swipes of the stylus are required of their right hand. As a left-dominant player myself, I found the game to be difficult at first, albeit much easier after the first few missions had accustomed me to the configuration – no adjustment of the controls was necessary, albeit Nintendo has provided that as an option in addition to the circle-pad pro.
Sound
The soundtrack of Kid Icarus: Uprising is incredibly beautiful and uniquely assorted. From soothing orchestral, violin accompanied tracks, to simple ditties which serve but a momentary purpose – all serve to heighten the enjoyability of the game and immerse the player within the world of Greek myth. Not to mention, each piece is made available as an unlockable, by the completion Treasure Hunt achievements (which also reward hearts, weapons, idols, etc).
Dialogue is a key characteristic of the game, seemingly present without ceasing. Albeit, it rather serves as a compliment to gameplay, once a player is acquainted with the controls and may appreciate the witty repartees and mindless jabber with comprehension. Otherwise, they are aggravations at best. Once, however, this condition has been met, the dialogue maintains interest in a seemingly empty world (aside from the attacks of underworld minions), where there is little character interaction, aside from these exchanges.
Content
Defeated! Visual depicts an AR Card idol battle captured with in-game camera applications.
The content of Kid Icarus: Uprising is truly abundant. With 25 chapters, unlockable back-to-back boss battles, dozens of weapons (to be bought with hearts, the KI:U currency) and power customizations (and a land + battle practice range to try them out on), three treasure hunts with one-hundred twenty achievements each, collectible in-game and paper-card “idols” (digital figures with descriptions and AR Card capabilities), streetpass-spotpass enabled, online / local multiplayer, and much more. Albeit some features are more engaging and useful than others.
Multiplayer is a competitive challenge, although there are no overall leaderboards, which is a letdown. Players accumulate points during the process of each match and are ranked according to their totals at the conclusion. Wins are saved and exchanged via streetpass.
Playable characters include:
Pit (primary): chief angel of Palutena, the goddess of light and protector of humanity. He is persistent, passionate, and often quite silly.
Pittoo: Pit’s Doppelganger, created by Pandora’s mirror, often an antagonizing force, albeit (highlight spoiler > ) linked with Pit in life force and becomes an ally due to necessity and a slight change of heart.
Magnus: powerful human mercenary, dedicated to fighting against underworld forces.
Little Girl: details unknown, resident of a ruined city.
Dog: details unknown, resident of a ruined city. Can sniff out and locate food in garbage, runs without tiring.
Family Analysis(E10+ [ESRB])
The characters within KI:U aren’t exceptionally frightening, albeit some are notably grotesque, such as the lord of the Underworld – with pointy fangs, red eyes, and whatnot. There is no blood, and most combat is against the forces of the underworld, in the form of giant eyeballs, frog-like beings, and other odd but otherwise inhuman creatures. There are, however, a few human / god encounters where a character will make known they have been defeated and may even make a corresponding exclamation of defeat. However, deaths are seldom, often with enemies returning to fight again unscathed. Albeit, this does not dismiss the violence in itself. The game is likely more suitable for tweens, teens, and older, than ten year-olds, unless families take care to monitor their child’s gameplay and discuss plotline implications. There are a few sexual references – in one instance, Palutena jokingly tells Pit she can read minds and that he “better not be thinking anything naughty,” to which he exclaims in surprise, as if he had been contemplating unsavory matters. Some characters, such as a Nature-Force leader is flirtatious, while Amazon Pandora takes it a step further, emphasizing her appearance and is overtly coquettish.
Christian Implications
The fact that there are collectible “idols” should be telling in itself of the game’s religious affiliations. Rape, murder, and other mature concepts of Greek mythology are not mentioned, however, spiritual references are made. Pit “prays” for Palutena’s safety, at which point another goddess remarks he is a very confused angel, since he has no god/dess to pray to at the moment. A reincarnation of Helios, Hades, Medusa, and Poseidon (as well as others) make appearances, with a few original gods and goddesses exclusive the Kid Icarus realm. Pit is the protector (by extension of Palutena) of the helpless humans who are referred to as selfish and greedy, the gods are also revealed in their folly (often warring against one another and causing trouble).
This afternoon I received a request to review the Hunger Games trilogy – I did some form of this before
Getting "Kreative" with Kirby!
the box-office craze had begun, mainly focusing on the final book, Mockingjay, which I had found to be well-written, albeit with quite a graphic nature. In the next few days, however, I will begin developing a comprehensive post for the purpose of my reader’s request (readers are always welcome to make requests for posts. I realize I haven’t posted my reviews for MI:GP, or the full review for H.O.S., however, anticipated posts [even by one person] gain higher priority]).
Publication Progress
In relation to the literary realm, my free publications (War at Our Doorstep & 400 Years of Silence) have steadily been gaining popularity on retail markets (iBookstore / NOOK) and the Lulu store, with their ninety-nine cent (retail) counterparts making progress as well. If you have read any of these stories, feel free to post your feedback on my blog! It helps me grow as a writer, knowing what I’m doing right and where I can improve.
Nintendo Celebration
In the world of video game technology, it is the Nintendo 3DS’ one-year anniversary and spotpass-enabled users will receive a visit from Reggie (President and COO of Nintendo of America) in the Mii Plaza app, in celebration of the event. One may note the COO’s recently played game is “Kid Icarus: Uprising,” the latest release by Nintendo.
Kid Icarus: Uprising is the latest Nintendo 3DS game released by Nintendo and designed by Masahiro Sakurai, creator of the hit [Super] Smash Brothers series.
General Review:
Graphics
Kid Icarus: Uprising has spectacular, immersive graphics which are heightened to their utmost by the extra measure of depth provided by the 3DS.
Storyline
Simple and humorous, with a few twists and turns to keep things interesting.
Music
As numerous modern video games, the soundtrack of Kid Icarus is a masterful, orchestral blend which may be enjoyed by even the most discerning listeners.
Spiritual & Family
The world of Kid Icarus is loosely founded upon Greek mythology.
Mention of “empty souls”
Similar to Metroid & Zelda in that a battle is being waged against monsters, sometimes humans are involved, such as in one of the early battles. There is however, no gore or impact effects.
Gameplay
A widespread complaint from left-handed users has been prevalent in discussions of the game and its criticisms. However, being left-handed myself, I find no problem with gameplay, except for a slight takeaway. The left hand controls the circle pad and L-button, while the right hand makes simple movements on the touch screen. Up, down, side-to-side – as this game does not require handwriting, and so long as one may move their hand in the proper direction, there shouldn’t be too much of a problem, only discomfort.
Passion: White Flagis the latest installment from the Passion music series, recorded live at Passion 2012, and debuting commercially March 9th, 2012. During its first day, it climbed to the top of the Gospel Christian charts and achieved a high ranking overall.
It is a thoroughly diverse album, featuring the talents of such artists as Chris Tomlin, Kristian Stanfill, Christy Nockels, Charlie Hall, Matt Redman, and the recently retired David Crowder Band who made their last performance at the live event. Boasting [in Christ] an incredible seventeen songs, four videos (including a sermon by GA Pastor & Passion Pres. Louie Giglio), and song booklet – the deluxe edition is certainly the best deal financially and in terms of quality content.
Its tone is vibrant – full of energy and passion. Its lyrics are not watered down, but beautiful, powerful, and pertinent. A common thread of surrender [and conformation] to Christ unites the album, hence the name, White Flag.
The full content list reads as follows:
» Not Ashamed (feat. Kristian Stanfill)
» White Flag (feat. Chris Tomlin)
» Jesus, Son of God (feat. Chris Tomlin)
» How I Love You (feat. Christy Nockels)
» All This Glory (feat. David Crowder)
» Lay Me Down (feat. Christy Nockels)
» You Revive Me (feat. Christy Nockels)
» One Thing Remains (feat. Christian Stanfill)
» Yahweh (feat. Chris Tomlin)
» Sing Along (feat. Christy Nockels)
» The Only One (feat. Chris Tomlin)
» Mystery (feat. Charlie Hall)
» 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord - feat. Matt Redman)
» No Turning Back (feat. Chris Tomlin)
» Let Me Feel You Shine (feat. David Crowder Band)
» Who You Are (feat. Kristian Stanfill)
» Jesus, All in All (feat. Charlie Hall)
» Twenty Seven Million (feat. Matt Redman & LZ7)
» How Great Is Our God (World Edition - feat. Chris Tomlin)
» Fearless (Passion 2012 Talk - Louie Giglio)
» Passion 2012 Slideshow
» Digital Booklet
The Adventure Writer’s Blog Rating:
10/10 - Quality, diverse content with something for everyone.
Yesterday Andy Cherry released his first album, Nothing Left to Fear, containing the hit song Our
Joan of Arc Memorial - Rouen, France
God’s Alive - a beautifully orchestrated piece with unique vocals and a dynamic personality.
This is by far one of my favorite songs within the Contemporary Christian genre, with well-thought out organization, instrumentals, and powerful lyrics with a simplistic message, effectively echoing the salvation message through a captivating medium.
News (3/07):Our God’s Alive is currently available for free [legally supporting the artist] on iTunes for a period of one month, by download code. Instructions are available on this page.
I’ve decided to make the Nutella Cheesecake tomorrow night and let it sit for a day in order that the
Far off in the distance you may spot Pont du Hoc, a key location for the Germans in World War II. As the Allied Forces charged up the beaches, the Axis Powers had a sufficient advantage with their turrents which had deadly accuracy, even from such a distance.
flavors may properly blend together before serving. I’ll likely be feeding around 25-30 people, so I’m sure to get plenty of feedback!
In the world world of writing, I recently submitted a manuscript for publishing (finally with all the formatting kinks worked out) and chose to make it available for free. The story, or duet play rather, came about when I was asked to creatively portray Biblical events through some sort of artistic medium, and for me, the natural choice was writing. I prayed to God for inspiration, to lead my efforts lest I stray from His Word, and I found 400 Years of Silence come forth as a result. After writing it, I was told (by a colleague of mine) that I should write a full book-length version of the tale , which I am certainly considering. If you have an iOS device, you can download the free play on the iBookstore. In the future I hope to post the play on this blog, once I figure out how to get the formatting as I like it.
Something I haven’t mentioned much on this blog is the documentary which I have been developing with footage I shot while in Normandy, France. Once completed, I’ll provide it to a Geography class at a nearby school and perhaps post it on this blog.
In addition to these life updates, there’s also the reviews I mentioned coming up. The House of Silk review and Mission Impossible review should be posted quite soon.
Today I made a few simple changes to the Adventure Writer’s Blog…
Password protected “Subscribers” page was stripped of its password, content was slightly revised, title of page changed to “Literary Feedback,” and the page was made public so that all readers could participate in polls and subscribers wouldn’t have to deal with the hassle of entering a password upon visits.
Moreover, drafts for reviews have been started and may be published simultaneously, depending on completion time. These reviews include:
The House of Silk, by Anthony Horowitz [Book Review]
Inheritance, by Christopher Paolini [Book Review]
Mission Impossible: The Ghost Protocol, Film Review
Tonight I’ve also begun work on a collage of sorts, including various “textures,” etc. from photos I’ve taken while travelling and graphics I’ve designed.
The annotated version of War At Our Doorstep delves into the story, uncovering important details and casting light upon the story's various ambiguities. The story provided in this post is the original, unannotated version.
The frailty of life is a lesson learned by experience – the likes of our daily existences. Every day, when the fading crimson and golden-hued light gives way to the blackness of night, the menacing drone of bombers and the shrieking alarm which announces their coming brings fear into the heart of the community, and although all do their best to find safety in their homes, their shelters often become their prison unto death.
It all started three weeks ago, when the first HWK-325 emerged from the night’s sky followed by a score more of its kind. The residents of our humble town knew little of the ways of war and were unprepared for the onslaught to come. Many lives were taken that first day, mainly of those who did not heed the alarm. Since then, many of us have not dared to set foot out into the now foreboding pastures of our country which holds such terrors in the night. Our storehouses we have filled with what sustenance we may until the bombers pass (which is our one last hope). Those who have lived to see the bombers firsthand, such as myself, have reported many great wonders, such as the arrival of the AGL-435’s, great white bombers of extraordinary size which fought against the HWK-325 in a war of unknown causes. Perhaps they warred for control of our land, for every day they would annihilate a few of our land’s kind residents in their destructive conflict.
One night, following the death of my only son, I decided it had to end. I didn’t know how, but I would
This is an image I've used previously for various video projects related to War at Our Doorstep.
end this once and for all and bring peace to our land. I gathered my family together into our living room and held, perhaps (for I felt a great foreboding), our one last meeting. My wife was the first to speak.
“Honey, you can’t go!” she said with fear and anxiety upon her face. “Nobody has ever left their homes at this time of night and come back alive. Think of your family! Your –” she indicated with a movement of her hand our precious babies, all now teens but for our child of three. “Our children! You can’t leave them without a father. There’s no chance of success; you can’t reason with a bomber! How do you expect to fight them?”
Doubts filled my mind for a moment, but I cleared them away with a shake of the head. “Something must be done,” I said resolutely. “If I die, at least I will be an example for the community – to stand up for our families and fight. We have no hope cowering in our homes, we alone have the power to conquer this plague to our land. I’m certainly no David, but I will stand before many Goliaths. You can’t deter me from this; we must take a chance. Have I ever not returned? I will come back… and I pray with tidings of peace.”
Here is the enhanced version of a photograph I took some time ago of this bird of prey which ascended upon our porch. One of my revisions entailed increasing the level of detail in this graphic in order to accentuate the pattern upon the wings, sharp eyes, talons, etc.
I embraced my children and wife one last time, and journeyed out into the darkness. However, I saw at once my mission was a futile one, as a dozen bombers descended from above, their sights no doubt set upon my now quivering form – it was now too late to turn back. With one fell swoop, one swift action, my soul was carried unto heaven. What would become of my family and our town? Was there any hope to be had?
“Mommy, mommy!” a little girl’s voice sounded in the distance. “A hawk just caught a bunny!”
NOOK Notice: This material is protected by copyright.
Take the world’s most famous detective, a singular and most riveting case, add an arch rival, comedic brother, and a medical companion with a knack for gambling – stir, bake for 25 minutes under the cover of a bullet proof oven and out will come a piping hot Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.
Critical analyses go anywhere from five stars to zero – with a plethora of praises and distastes. The film takes an initiative of which its predecessor partially abstained. In the first film, one may recall a deal of action, yet the overall plot was filled with a rather supernatural air of mystery and peril, with Sherlock Holmes’ deductions casting light on a seemingly foggy night. Once the big reveal is made, we find a case of dramatic proportions.
“This is so deliciously complicated.”
-Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows rids itself of superstition and focuses entirely on action and rapidly-paced deductions. A war is on the brink, and only Sherlock Holmes can stop it. The stakes are higher than ever before, thus, an action film rendition of Conan Doyle’s literary feat is what we find at the theaters.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows opens onto a crowded London Street, following the urgent pace of Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams). With a singular-looking package in one hand, and a homeless gent following quick behind, we find ourselves immersed in a suspenseful endeavor. The man rushes up beside her, covertly steals her package, and warns there are two men behind Irene with “unsavory” motives. Sherlock Holmes is on the case with one of his many disguises. Irene makes a humorous jibe about Holmes’ apparent situation of poverty, then enters an empty alleyway and stops three men joining her. Irene takes back the rectangular package from Holmes and reveals the men are her guards, ensuring the safe delivery of the package. With a few flirtatious remarks and a kiss goodbye, she hurries off – leaving Holmes to deal with the formidable thugs. A fight immediately breaks out, and it is uncertain who has the upper hand. Sherlock knocks one man to the ground while another shoves his head through two unsteady wooden beams. Holmes recovers and once again joins the fray. As two police officers walk by, Sherlock Holmes plops into an odd seating position and the thugs toss him a few coins, feigning innocence. During this time Sherlock Holmes deduces their next moves in the fashion of the first film (boxing scene deductions) with slow-motion observations with voiced over deductions, with a speedy follow-through of punches, jabs, grabs, and slams – leaving the enemy out cold. After scaring off his final opponent, Sherlock resumes his investigation.
“Did you kill my wife? …you just threw her off a train!”
-Dr. Watson
“I timed it perfectly.”
-Sherlock Holmes
One thing happens after another – Irene dies, explosions abound, and Watson decides to get married.
Image via Wikipedia
Prior to the marriage comes a party filled with gambling, fortune telling (by Sherlock Holmes to a key character gypsy), a rotund and comical Mycroft, and a series of thwarted assassination encounters. Watson gets married, boards a train to honeymoon, and finds himself in danger as Sherlock “knocks antlers” with his arch-nemesis Professor Moriarty, the criminal king who is bent on fortune and glory. Will Sherlock manage to best his foes, or with he lose all that is dear to him? Such secrets are hidden in a game of shadows…
“Now are you sure you want to play this game?”
-Prof. Moriarty
“I’m afraid you’d lose.”
-Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes Featurette
Critical Review
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is the best installment yet, and I certainly hope for a third to exceed my expectations. Robert Downey Jr. makes for a brilliant Holmes, utilizing all the quirks of Conan Doyle’s original character with a few new aspects, such as a greater romantic interest with Irene. Likewise, other characters have been “remodeled.” Mycroft Holmes, the self-secluded introverted twin of Holmes (sharing the same, even better, deductive abilities) became a comedic relief in the film, creating the only nude scene present (again, for humor. The nude scene consists entirely of Mycroft holding a newspaper while talking to Mrs. Watson about a telegram he has received from Holmes and Watson who have delved deep into their investigation. He acts normally, and there is no sexual innuendo aside from the fact of Mycroft’s nudity. He is ignorant of the opposite sex and is acting purely out of this vice.) I personally enjoy the extra additions of action and suspense and appreciated the film’s dramatic “reference” to The Final Problem(Sherlock Holmes book by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle). (Spoiler [highlight to read: the scene is question is the second to last. Where Sherlock Holmes plummets into the waterfall’s depths with Moriarty, leaving the audience to think them dead. The final scene where we find Sherlock Holmes camouflaged, sitting in a chair while Watson types his memoir, was not in the novel, albeit I thoroughly enjoyed it nonetheless.)
“Competent but predictable – now allow me to reply.”
-Prof. Moriarty
Christian and Family Perspective
The spiritual concerns I had noted with the first film (drawing of the pentagram by Holmes, and virtually the entire nature of the case until we learn it is all faux) are not a problem with this sequel. There is a fortune teller, however, and before she may have the chance to make any prediction, Sherlock interrupts and informs her that he would like to give her a fortune. He picks up the cards and uses them for illustration in his points: she has been driven to drinking, has a brother whom she holds dear, and a client who has come to kill her.
From a Christian and family perspective, this movie is a bundle of fun with a plethora of concerns. There is a gypsy woman whose occupation is fortune telling. The demonic is not, however, as fully pressed in this movie as it was in the first. Before she can even get out a word of Sherlock’s fortune, Sherlock tells her he would like to give her fortune. He uses the cards while presenting his points, then rescues her from an assassin. Therefore, it is not as dark as one may suspect from the previews, yet the concept should be noted. There are many fights, such as those between Sherlock and Watson against various mobs, including at a place where gambling is taking place. This movie, taking into account the action, flirtatious content (to be discussed in the full review), should be suitable for children aged 15+ (Common Sense Media recommends age 14+, however, it may be a bit much even for fourteen year olds, depending on their maturity level and “tolerance”).
-Adventure Writer's Blog: Preliminary Review
In addition to the points noted above, there is also a great deal of alcohol consumption.
“Never let these gypsies make you drink (paraphrased).”
-Sherlock Holmes, who proceeds chug down the gypsy's wine.
This film is certainly a pleasure to watch for the most part, although it is certainly not a family film, as it is unsuitable for younger children due to the above points.
![Passion: White Flag [Deluxe Edition] (Music Review)](http://adventurewriter.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/album-cover.jpg?w=90&h=70&crop=1 "Passion: White Flag [Deluxe Edition] (Music Review)")
