With all the hallmarks of a future franchise, “Sherlock Holmes” could have simply ended with a “To Be Continued” flashing across the screen.
And why not? Though not flawless, the chemistry of Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.), and Dr. John Watson (Jude Law), along with fast-moving action and stunning visuals, makes for a fine evening at the multiplex.
Sherlock Holmes, a fictional character known as the first consulting detective, was introduced to the literary world in 1887 by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a Scottish author and physician. Dr. Watson is Holmes’s confidante, sidekick and biographer.
The opening scene sees them crashing a creepy, ritualistic murder attempt and then delivering the mastermind Lord Blackwell to the police. Blackwell is eventually tried and hung. After earning kudos for saving the day, the duo returns to their other pursuits until rumors begin to fly that Blackwell has come back from the dead and possesses dark, supernatural powers.
Unwilling to accept money from a secret society that wishes to reign in the dark lord want-to-be, Holmes accepts the case out of a sense of honor and duty. As he is trying to work his Sherlock magic by gathering clues, he is tricked by his former flame, Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams). Though she appears to still have a thing for Holmes, she clearly has her own agenda as well.
Director Guy Ritchie of cult favorites “Snatch” and “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” fame should be commended for taking on a weighty project with ample opportunity to go awry. Starting completely from scratch and stripping away any Sherlock clichés, he makes a stylish, character-first, action film.
Every element of the production is first rate. The film’s color palette, costumes, music, sets, and effects evoke a dreamlike 1890s London—a place of danger, sophistication, and urban bustle.
Pulling it all together is Robert Downey Jr. He interprets the screenwriter’s vision of the master detective down to the slightest nuance. Whether plucking on a violin, bare-knuckle boxing, or bating the support of Watson—Downey Jr. breathes this role. Jude Law nicely supports as the stiffer, more grounded Watson, and the film centers on their friendship and shared sense of justice.
If one character comes up short, it’s the antagonist Lord Blackwell, played by Mark Strong. His appearance is strikingly similar to former Saturday Night Live comedian Kevin Nealon. Though he is outfitted with bad teeth, slicked-back hair, and an odd black, trench coat, I was looking for him to wisecrack and break the tension. He was just not terrifying enough to get under one’s skin and provide the necessary fright. Think the Emperor from “Star Wars,” or the late Heath Ledger’s Academy Award-winning portrayal as the Joker—now those are creepy villains that cause a pit in one’s stomach.
Coupled with the weak bad guy, the script’s plot suffers from a lack of an original concept. Though the fleshing out of the characters are nicely written, the idea of a secret, underground, “Illuminati”-style society has been done before, and this plot doesn’t take it to a new level. Here were given some token rituals, texts with Hebrew and Pagan scribbling, and mystic diagrams and its supposed to add up.
Nonetheless, the fast-paced action, excellent acting by the two leads, and exceptional production make this a fun film, competing for wallet share in a season with many film choices.
And if you are a Sherlock Holmes enthusiast who is not used to seeing your beloved character as a Hollywood action hero, please know that the filmmakers went to great lengths to research Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original character, including meeting with a Sherlock Holmes society. Besides having great mental prowess, Holmes was an expert swordsman and martial artist.
As he did in his hero role as Ironman, but with a different style, Downey Jr. as Holmes saves the day, while bringing smiles to audience members with his wit and charm.
[etRating value=“ 3.5”]
And why not? Though not flawless, the chemistry of Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.), and Dr. John Watson (Jude Law), along with fast-moving action and stunning visuals, makes for a fine evening at the multiplex.
Sherlock Holmes, a fictional character known as the first consulting detective, was introduced to the literary world in 1887 by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a Scottish author and physician. Dr. Watson is Holmes’s confidante, sidekick and biographer.
The opening scene sees them crashing a creepy, ritualistic murder attempt and then delivering the mastermind Lord Blackwell to the police. Blackwell is eventually tried and hung. After earning kudos for saving the day, the duo returns to their other pursuits until rumors begin to fly that Blackwell has come back from the dead and possesses dark, supernatural powers.
Unwilling to accept money from a secret society that wishes to reign in the dark lord want-to-be, Holmes accepts the case out of a sense of honor and duty. As he is trying to work his Sherlock magic by gathering clues, he is tricked by his former flame, Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams). Though she appears to still have a thing for Holmes, she clearly has her own agenda as well.
Director Guy Ritchie of cult favorites “Snatch” and “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels” fame should be commended for taking on a weighty project with ample opportunity to go awry. Starting completely from scratch and stripping away any Sherlock clichés, he makes a stylish, character-first, action film.
Every element of the production is first rate. The film’s color palette, costumes, music, sets, and effects evoke a dreamlike 1890s London—a place of danger, sophistication, and urban bustle.
Pulling it all together is Robert Downey Jr. He interprets the screenwriter’s vision of the master detective down to the slightest nuance. Whether plucking on a violin, bare-knuckle boxing, or bating the support of Watson—Downey Jr. breathes this role. Jude Law nicely supports as the stiffer, more grounded Watson, and the film centers on their friendship and shared sense of justice.
If one character comes up short, it’s the antagonist Lord Blackwell, played by Mark Strong. His appearance is strikingly similar to former Saturday Night Live comedian Kevin Nealon. Though he is outfitted with bad teeth, slicked-back hair, and an odd black, trench coat, I was looking for him to wisecrack and break the tension. He was just not terrifying enough to get under one’s skin and provide the necessary fright. Think the Emperor from “Star Wars,” or the late Heath Ledger’s Academy Award-winning portrayal as the Joker—now those are creepy villains that cause a pit in one’s stomach.
Coupled with the weak bad guy, the script’s plot suffers from a lack of an original concept. Though the fleshing out of the characters are nicely written, the idea of a secret, underground, “Illuminati”-style society has been done before, and this plot doesn’t take it to a new level. Here were given some token rituals, texts with Hebrew and Pagan scribbling, and mystic diagrams and its supposed to add up.
Nonetheless, the fast-paced action, excellent acting by the two leads, and exceptional production make this a fun film, competing for wallet share in a season with many film choices.
And if you are a Sherlock Holmes enthusiast who is not used to seeing your beloved character as a Hollywood action hero, please know that the filmmakers went to great lengths to research Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original character, including meeting with a Sherlock Holmes society. Besides having great mental prowess, Holmes was an expert swordsman and martial artist.
As he did in his hero role as Ironman, but with a different style, Downey Jr. as Holmes saves the day, while bringing smiles to audience members with his wit and charm.
[etRating value=“ 3.5”]
