Though this Holmes is neurotic and OCD, he could still kick your ass.
Sherlock Holmes
starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan, William Houston
directed by Guy Ritchie
From the get go, this film had three things going for it; First, Guy Ritchie is one of the best British film makers in the industry today, so it makes sense for him to be at the helm. Two, it doesn’t matter what the film is about, as long as Robert Downey Jr. is involved, it must be worth seeing. And finally, I mean come on, its about Sherlock Holmes, the greatest fictional slueth of all time. What movie goer in their right mind could resist going out to the local theater and watching this? When the cards are stacked like this, chances are you’re in for one hell of a good time.
Its the late 19th century in London, England. When Scotland Yard can’t wrap their head around a crime, they call in the eccentric private detective Sherlock Holmes (Downey). Along with his loyal companion Dr. Watson (Law), Holmes recently caught the black magic practicing Lord Blackwood (Strong). The Lord is sentenced for murder and hung to death. However, people in London begin to see Lord Blackwood, apparently risen from the dead. Plus, an old flame from Holmes past named Irene Adler (McAdams) sets the sleuth on a man hunt that turns out to be directly related to the re-emerging Blackwood. Holmes and Watson follow the clues and leads, bickering like brothers along the way, in a desperate attempt to get down to the bottom of Blackwood’s supposed resurrection. More people are dying daily, and Holmes must use every ounce of his ‘not inconsiderable’ experience to bring the truth to light.
This film should be an example to all of Hollywood: Guy Ritchie knows how you do adaptations. The director managed to take the essence of a British icon and keep it well intact and recognizable, while at the same time pumping life into the characters and story and make it his own. Sherlock Holmes is still the rational detective, but he is displayed as more of an eccentric, obsessive compulsive slob. He has the mind of a rational genius, but cannot get his life straight inspite of himself; i.e. a one dimensional character is given depth and layers. Watson is no longer a fat, old, buffoon; he is as Sir Doyle imagined him: a slim veteran war surgeon who is just as good in a scrap as Holmes. However, in the film Watson is a stone wall for Holmes; while Holmes is much more clever, Watson watches his back and keeps him in line and out of trouble. The best part of the adaptation in my opinion is the successful blend of classic detective story and Guy Ritchie’s stylistic crime stories. Ritchie’s Holmes gets in bare chested boxing matches to earn money. His Holmes cooly calculates an entire bout of fisticuffs before one punch is thrown. Stuff blows up, and people are allowed to be funny. In short, the film works wonderfully. And yes, they did set it up for a sequel.
What makes the film, however, is the chemistry between the principle actors. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law bring the relationship between Holmes and Watson to a whole new level. Instead of more mentoring situation, the two are like brothers. They fight, they argue, and even punch each other. But the bond is so apparent that they would do anything for one another. The emotions play out so well in the two actors words and expressions; one could imagine the two actually be close friends off the screen. The film would have flopped if any two other actors had played the parts. Casting, indeed throughout the film, is perfect.
So what didn’t I like about it? What kept Sherlock Holmes from being a perfect film? Well, as with all detective type stories, the plot is all about the chase; the revealing of clues step by step toward an eventual enlightenment. Then you catch the bad guy or save the world, or whatever. The problem with this film is that the chase is much too muddled. We follow Holmes around and see most of the clues from his perspective, but the most important ones are never explained or connected outloud. Its only at the very end that everything comes together in a much too long monologue by Holmes as he faces the final antagonist. It would have been much more effective to piece together the clues along the way, a little at a time, to keep the watch interested. What you get is a slightly lost feeling, like you’re watching only to see what Holmes does next without quite knowing the cause as to why. For a detective movie, Sherlock Holmes really lets you down on the actual detecting.
All in all, the best way to describe the film is FUN. Its a blast to sit through and behold. Yes, the plot is a bit annoying, but the performances by those involved more than make up for it. Plus, Guy Ritchie’s style of film making is an art form all its own. If anyone could tell me when the legendary British sleuth has been more fun to watch, I’d label them a liar. If nothing else, you get yet another perfect performance from Robert Downey Jr., arguably the best actor in movies today. Really, just think about that one for a second. You know I’m right.
Elementary, My Dear Watson.
Though this Holmes is neurotic and OCD, he could still kick your ass.
Sherlock Holmes
starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan, William Houston
directed by Guy Ritchie
From the get go, this film had three things going for it; First, Guy Ritchie is one of the best British film makers in the industry today, so it makes sense for him to be at the helm. Two, it doesn’t matter what the film is about, as long as Robert Downey Jr. is involved, it must be worth seeing. And finally, I mean come on, its about Sherlock Holmes, the greatest fictional slueth of all time. What movie goer in their right mind could resist going out to the local theater and watching this? When the cards are stacked like this, chances are you’re in for one hell of a good time.
Its the late 19th century in London, England. When Scotland Yard can’t wrap their head around a crime, they call in the eccentric private detective Sherlock Holmes (Downey). Along with his loyal companion Dr. Watson (Law), Holmes recently caught the black magic practicing Lord Blackwood (Strong). The Lord is sentenced for murder and hung to death. However, people in London begin to see Lord Blackwood, apparently risen from the dead. Plus, an old flame from Holmes past named Irene Adler (McAdams) sets the sleuth on a man hunt that turns out to be directly related to the re-emerging Blackwood. Holmes and Watson follow the clues and leads, bickering like brothers along the way, in a desperate attempt to get down to the bottom of Blackwood’s supposed resurrection. More people are dying daily, and Holmes must use every ounce of his ‘not inconsiderable’ experience to bring the truth to light.
This film should be an example to all of Hollywood: Guy Ritchie knows how you do adaptations. The director managed to take the essence of a British icon and keep it well intact and recognizable, while at the same time pumping life into the characters and story and make it his own. Sherlock Holmes is still the rational detective, but he is displayed as more of an eccentric, obsessive compulsive slob. He has the mind of a rational genius, but cannot get his life straight inspite of himself; i.e. a one dimensional character is given depth and layers. Watson is no longer a fat, old, buffoon; he is as Sir Doyle imagined him: a slim veteran war surgeon who is just as good in a scrap as Holmes. However, in the film Watson is a stone wall for Holmes; while Holmes is much more clever, Watson watches his back and keeps him in line and out of trouble. The best part of the adaptation in my opinion is the successful blend of classic detective story and Guy Ritchie’s stylistic crime stories. Ritchie’s Holmes gets in bare chested boxing matches to earn money. His Holmes cooly calculates an entire bout of fisticuffs before one punch is thrown. Stuff blows up, and people are allowed to be funny. In short, the film works wonderfully. And yes, they did set it up for a sequel.
What makes the film, however, is the chemistry between the principle actors. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law bring the relationship between Holmes and Watson to a whole new level. Instead of more mentoring situation, the two are like brothers. They fight, they argue, and even punch each other. But the bond is so apparent that they would do anything for one another. The emotions play out so well in the two actors words and expressions; one could imagine the two actually be close friends off the screen. The film would have flopped if any two other actors had played the parts. Casting, indeed throughout the film, is perfect.
So what didn’t I like about it? What kept Sherlock Holmes from being a perfect film? Well, as with all detective type stories, the plot is all about the chase; the revealing of clues step by step toward an eventual enlightenment. Then you catch the bad guy or save the world, or whatever. The problem with this film is that the chase is much too muddled. We follow Holmes around and see most of the clues from his perspective, but the most important ones are never explained or connected outloud. Its only at the very end that everything comes together in a much too long monologue by Holmes as he faces the final antagonist. It would have been much more effective to piece together the clues along the way, a little at a time, to keep the watch interested. What you get is a slightly lost feeling, like you’re watching only to see what Holmes does next without quite knowing the cause as to why. For a detective movie, Sherlock Holmes really lets you down on the actual detecting.
All in all, the best way to describe the film is FUN. Its a blast to sit through and behold. Yes, the plot is a bit annoying, but the performances by those involved more than make up for it. Plus, Guy Ritchie’s style of film making is an art form all its own. If anyone could tell me when the legendary British sleuth has been more fun to watch, I’d label them a liar. If nothing else, you get yet another perfect performance from Robert Downey Jr., arguably the best actor in movies today. Really, just think about that one for a second. You know I’m right.