Sherlock Holmes (B+ or 3.5/4 stars)
Well, color me surprised. I've finally enjoyed a Guy Ritchie film. Sherlock Holmes has been around for well over 120 yrs. (in various novels, short stories, & film adaptations), but never before has it been so fresh, kinetic, & slick. Purists will likely hate this movie. But I don't know anything about Holmes mythology. Therefore, I don't rightly care. The less I know, the better. This film opens with Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) & his stalwart sidekick, Dr. John Watson (Jude Law) capturing serial killer/occult sorcerer Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong) before he can claim another innocent victim (there's been 5 already). By the time the cops arrive, led by Scotland Yard's dimwitted Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan), Holmes & Watson have already quelled the situation. Before Blackwood is hanged, he predicts to Sherlock that his mayhem & murder will not stop after his death. And this gives Holmes pause for contemplation.
And when Blackwood appears to have risen from the grave to continue his killing spree, this once-though-to-be closed case is snapped back open. Already a strange & macabre turn of events, things get worse when it's revealed that Blackwood (through his secret black magic society) plans to destroy Parliament, take over England, & dominate the world (...of course). We can't not have an over-the-top villain in one of these movies, right (haha)? Meanwhile, Holmes has some personal issues to juggle, as well. Watson is leaving Holmes' residence of 221B Baker Street so he can marry his fiancee, Mary (Kelly Reilly). And Holmes is visited by old flame/temptress Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams), a thief who comes to him with a simple case to solve - but one so simple that Holmes knows something sinister in beneath it ("the game's afoot"). As usual, his suspicions prove correct, & it's up to Holmes, Watson - & whoever else is on their side - to unravel the clues behind Lord Blackwood's web of murder, deceit, & magic.
I just loved this movie. But before I heap praise, first things first. Much has been made (in certain circles) about the modernization of Holmes, the action hero-ness of the character, as well as other deviations from the source material (and I'd understand the hesitancies). BUT from what I hear, the essence of the character of Sherlock Holmes is well intact; fusing Holmes' mental prowess with his physical. Holmes built his reputation on finding the truth of the most complex mysteries. He is an intellectual; a master at observing details, & then surmising entire scenarios from those details (like he does with internal monologues throughout the film). He can deduce anything about anyone. And rest assured, Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal is HEAVY on that aspect.
With that out of the way, I can discuss why I enjoyed this film so much. Basically, it's out to entertain; to have a good time. And so, I did. Robert Downey Jr. & Jude Law are great in these legendary roles. RD Jr.'s Holmes is charismatic, impulsive, & brilliant in his deductive reasoning (how he thinks ahead of a situation to figure out its eventual outcome). Downey is just such a performer; you can tell he's having a ball with this character. But at the same time, he's also taking it seriously; neither over nor underplaying. And I really liked the chemistry btwn. these 2 actors. Holmes & Watson have their little banter/spats/quarrels. And I had a smile on my face throughout all of 'em. Mark Strong is solid as the villain. Eddie Marsan is enjoyably perturbed as the inept inspector. And Kelly Reilly is enticing as Watson's understanding fiancee. The only person I thought was shortchanged was Rachel McAdams. Irene Adler is an underdeveloped character.
'Sherlock Holmes' doesn't have an amazing plot; nor does it have an epic scope. But it tells one story - quite engagingly. The ending is left open for a sequel (which I hope I don't hate ... i.e., Pirates of the Caribbean franchise). And believe it or not, while parts of the narrative get a bit loony - I think the dialogue is actually VERY clever; crisp, nuanced, & just highly enjoyable. And everything made sense when all was said & done. The editing of the fight/chase sequences - shot in slow-motion, real time, flashforwards, & flashbacks - is scintillating. The cinematography is beautifully dark (capturing that wonderful Victorian Era feel). The art direction is gorgeous; full of lush interiors & exteriors. The costumes are Period perfect. The sound design is wonderfully crisp. And Hans Zimmer's musical score is superbly distinct. So, yeah. It's an extremely fun movie; full of wonderful moments (a creepy graveyard scene, a repeatedly funny dog motif, & a great action scene involving a large boat, etc.). I turned off my brain (really needed to this week) & had a blast.
And when Blackwood appears to have risen from the grave to continue his killing spree, this once-though-to-be closed case is snapped back open. Already a strange & macabre turn of events, things get worse when it's revealed that Blackwood (through his secret black magic society) plans to destroy Parliament, take over England, & dominate the world (...of course). We can't not have an over-the-top villain in one of these movies, right (haha)? Meanwhile, Holmes has some personal issues to juggle, as well. Watson is leaving Holmes' residence of 221B Baker Street so he can marry his fiancee, Mary (Kelly Reilly). And Holmes is visited by old flame/temptress Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams), a thief who comes to him with a simple case to solve - but one so simple that Holmes knows something sinister in beneath it ("the game's afoot"). As usual, his suspicions prove correct, & it's up to Holmes, Watson - & whoever else is on their side - to unravel the clues behind Lord Blackwood's web of murder, deceit, & magic.
I just loved this movie. But before I heap praise, first things first. Much has been made (in certain circles) about the modernization of Holmes, the action hero-ness of the character, as well as other deviations from the source material (and I'd understand the hesitancies). BUT from what I hear, the essence of the character of Sherlock Holmes is well intact; fusing Holmes' mental prowess with his physical. Holmes built his reputation on finding the truth of the most complex mysteries. He is an intellectual; a master at observing details, & then surmising entire scenarios from those details (like he does with internal monologues throughout the film). He can deduce anything about anyone. And rest assured, Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal is HEAVY on that aspect.
With that out of the way, I can discuss why I enjoyed this film so much. Basically, it's out to entertain; to have a good time. And so, I did. Robert Downey Jr. & Jude Law are great in these legendary roles. RD Jr.'s Holmes is charismatic, impulsive, & brilliant in his deductive reasoning (how he thinks ahead of a situation to figure out its eventual outcome). Downey is just such a performer; you can tell he's having a ball with this character. But at the same time, he's also taking it seriously; neither over nor underplaying. And I really liked the chemistry btwn. these 2 actors. Holmes & Watson have their little banter/spats/quarrels. And I had a smile on my face throughout all of 'em. Mark Strong is solid as the villain. Eddie Marsan is enjoyably perturbed as the inept inspector. And Kelly Reilly is enticing as Watson's understanding fiancee. The only person I thought was shortchanged was Rachel McAdams. Irene Adler is an underdeveloped character.
'Sherlock Holmes' doesn't have an amazing plot; nor does it have an epic scope. But it tells one story - quite engagingly. The ending is left open for a sequel (which I hope I don't hate ... i.e., Pirates of the Caribbean franchise). And believe it or not, while parts of the narrative get a bit loony - I think the dialogue is actually VERY clever; crisp, nuanced, & just highly enjoyable. And everything made sense when all was said & done. The editing of the fight/chase sequences - shot in slow-motion, real time, flashforwards, & flashbacks - is scintillating. The cinematography is beautifully dark (capturing that wonderful Victorian Era feel). The art direction is gorgeous; full of lush interiors & exteriors. The costumes are Period perfect. The sound design is wonderfully crisp. And Hans Zimmer's musical score is superbly distinct. So, yeah. It's an extremely fun movie; full of wonderful moments (a creepy graveyard scene, a repeatedly funny dog motif, & a great action scene involving a large boat, etc.). I turned off my brain (really needed to this week) & had a blast.