Shelock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2010) & Sherlock: Series 2 (2011)

basics...
The continuing adventures of celluloid Holmes and Watson, starring Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law in Victorian London, plus the return of Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as Sherlock and John, modern day problem solvers on a TV budget.

brilliant...
Very little seems to have been written, at least in the things I read, discussing these two very different adaptations in the same breath, which is odd considering they both back in sequels released/broadcast within a few weeks of the other. The movie is a less cerebral, more visceral, action-packed affair than the trio of new episodes, yet each 'product' is recognisably Sherlock Holmes, and each is a joy to behold. Key to each is the chemistry between the duo of actors in the starring roles - Downey Jr and Law seem so comfortable sparking off each other, while Freeman is a knockout as his (platonic) love for quirky Cumberbatch's super-sleuth translates through to the audience. A Game of Shadows is more fun, more assured than its predecessor, and the inclusion of both Stephen Fry, as Holmes' brother Mycroft, and Jared Harris as nemesis Moriarty are masterstrokes. The TV show has an equally compelling villain in Andrew Scott's Jim Moriarty, and the final episode, in which he sets Sherlock up for an almighty fall was nail-biting stuff. Damn Stephen Moffat's love of cliff-hangers!

but...

I reiterate my complaint from my review of Sherlock: Series 1: 3 episodes is not enough! Even if they are each feature length. While it's nice to see Noomi Rapace on screen in A Game of Shadows it would have been even better if her character had something useful to do - the dearth of female characters gives a real boys' own adventure feel to the film. Women are better served in the TV version, particularly Lara Pulver's Irene Adler - I hope we see more of her next series (although in the infamous naked scene we've already seen quite a bit).

briefly...
Worthy successors and happy bedfellows, each adaptation/version has a lot to recommend it.