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Review

Sherlock Holmes – Movie Review

Guy Ritchies’ Sherlock Holmes attempts to put a fresh spin on the iconic detective and succeeds, for the most part. The film starts with Holmes (Robert Downey Jr) and Watson (Jude Law) interrupting a ritual sacrifice. The gentleman holding the ritual is Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong), an aristocrat who wants to take over the world. Straight away it becomes apparent that this is not the Sherlock Holmes and Watson we have come to expect. The two of them get their ass-kicking on, taking down the room of henchmen and saving the damsel before the actual police even arrive.

We then skip forward a few months to find that Holmes has refused to take on another case since Blackwoods arrest, instead spending his time attempting to build a silencer for his pistol and avoiding meeting Watsons soon-to-be fiancée, Mary (Kelly Reilly). He is eventually rousted from his nest by Blackwoods’ last request, a meeting with Holmes. Blackwood makes with the creepy-talk, prophesising that three more will die and that Holmes will not be able to stop it. He then gets his neck stretched and Watson pronounces him dead, so that’s the end of that. Or is it? (BOM BOM BOMMM).

Holmes is then offered a case by the beautiful yet dangerous Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams). Irene turns out to be a magnificent thief who seems to be the only one who has ever bested Holmes. This of course makes him totally crazy for her. Irene is working for a shady professor with some pretty fancy weapons who is looking for someone that worked for Blackwood. Before Holmes gets a chance to stew on Irene’s reappearance, an officer arrives announcing that Lord Blackwood has apparently been resurrected. Holmes (and Watson) then begin investigating how he’s managed this and attempt to stop his consequent evil-doings.

Now, I’m a pretty-close-to-die-hard Robert Downey Jr. fan, so there really wasn’t much chance of me not enjoying this film. Downey Jr. is outstanding as the brilliant yet vain Holmes, as everyone knew he would be. His British accent is flawless and his comedic timing spot-on. Likewise, Jude Law makes a fantastic Watson. The pair work completely in synch with one another, it’s rare to see a duo of such perfect balance. The rest of the support cast are equally talented. McAdams can only be described as ravishing (I really want her wardrobe from this film), and the banter between Holmes and Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan) is priceless.

But it wasn’t all golden. My first complaint, however minor it is, is that the story lacked a little originality. I was really glad that the plot didn’t twist and turn to the point of nonsense (Oceans 12, I’m looking at you) but the “secret society uses supernatural means to obtain world domination” was a little too “Scooby-doo” for my liking. Furthermore, whilst I enjoyed parts of Ritchies’ direction, some of it was a little overdone.

In some respects, the makers of this film are damn lucky. It the casting had not been so spectacularly on the money, this film would not have been anywhere near as enjoyable as it was. As it turns out, the talent was there, but I find myself wondering what could have been. If the storyline had equalled the cast…

No matter. There’s always the sequel (and there will be one).

To finish, I really did enjoy this movie, it was damn good fun. If you liked Snatch and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels then it’s likely you will too. If you’re like me and Saint Downey Jr. can do no wrong, also go and see this one.

Trailer

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Guy Ritchies’ Sherlock Holmes attempts to put a fresh spin on the iconic detective and succeeds, for the most part. The film starts with Holmes (Robert Downey Jr) and Watson (Jude Law) interrupting a ritual sacrifice. The gentleman holding the ritual is Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong), an aristocrat who wants to take over the world. Straight away it becomes apparent that this is not the Sherlock Holmes and Watson we have come to expect. The two of them get their ass-kicking on, taking down the room of henchmen and saving the damsel before the actual police even arrive.

We then skip forward a few months to find that Holmes has refused to take on another case since Blackwoods arrest, instead spending his time attempting to build a silencer for his pistol and avoiding meeting Watsons soon-to-be fiancée, Mary (Kelly Reilly). He is eventually rousted from his nest by Blackwoods’ last request, a meeting with Holmes. Blackwood makes with the creepy-talk, prophesising that three more will die and that Holmes will not be able to stop it. He then gets his neck stretched and Watson pronounces him dead, so that’s the end of that. Or is it? (BOM BOM BOMMM).

Holmes is then offered a case by the beautiful yet dangerous Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams). Irene turns out to be a magnificent thief who seems to be the only one who has ever bested Holmes. This of course makes him totally crazy for her. Irene is working for a shady professor with some pretty fancy weapons who is looking for someone that worked for Blackwood. Before Holmes gets a chance to stew on Irene’s reappearance, an officer arrives announcing that Lord Blackwood has apparently been resurrected. Holmes (and Watson) then begin investigating how he’s managed this and attempt to stop his consequent evil-doings.

Now, I’m a pretty-close-to-die-hard Robert Downey Jr. fan, so there really wasn’t much chance of me not enjoying this film. Downey Jr. is outstanding as the brilliant yet vain Holmes, as everyone knew he would be. His British accent is flawless and his comedic timing spot-on. Likewise, Jude Law makes a fantastic Watson. The pair work completely in synch with one another, it’s rare to see a duo of such perfect balance. The rest of the support cast are equally talented. McAdams can only be described as ravishing (I really want her wardrobe from this film), and the banter between Holmes and Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan) is priceless.

But it wasn’t all golden. My first complaint, however minor it is, is that the story lacked a little originality. I was really glad that the plot didn’t twist and turn to the point of nonsense (Oceans 12, I’m looking at you) but the “secret society uses supernatural means to obtain world domination” was a little too “Scooby-doo” for my liking. Furthermore, whilst I enjoyed parts of Ritchies’ direction, some of it was a little overdone.

In some respects, the makers of this film are damn lucky. It the casting had not been so spectacularly on the money, this film would not have been anywhere near as enjoyable as it was. As it turns out, the talent was there, but I find myself wondering what could have been. If the storyline had equalled the cast…

No matter. There’s always the sequel (and there will be one).

To finish, I really did enjoy this movie, it was damn good fun. If you liked Snatch and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels then it’s likely you will too. If you’re like me and Saint Downey Jr. can do no wrong, also go and see this one.

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About The Author

Rach

Rach Fariss is an entertainment junkie ("Hi Rach"). This concerns her far less than it ought to, but she has "normal" friends to make up for the discrepancy. By day she slogs away at a computer creating web pages for "The Man". In her spare time (and occasionally not so spare) she watches films that most people won't and reviews them. You can read her other opinions and reviews at her blog, http://rachmediaopinions.blogspot.com (Rach's Media Opinions).

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Article Information

  • Posted: Thursday, December 24th, 2009
  • Author: Rach
  • Filed Under: Film, Review
Tags: , , , , , , ,

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