Movie Review - 'Sherlock Holmes'

Sherlock Holmes Starring Robert Downey, Jr., Jude Law, Mark Strong, and Rachel McAdams Directed by Guy Ritchie Rated PG-13

An almost complete reinvention, Sherlock Holmes can't be viewed as a part of the world's greatest detective past exploits. While there have been adventures with Holmes and Watson that did not spring forth from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, you won't find too many like this, molding the detective and the good doctor into something brand new. As much a high-wire act as it is, Guy Ritchie's film (and Lionel Wigram's comic book on which the script is based) is mostly successful. Little things drag it down here and there, and one big thing sticks out like a sore thumb, but given the odds, the gamble pays off. The new Holmes is more the bohemian alchemist Johnny Depp portrayed in the Victorian era whodunit, From Hell, than he is Basil Rathbone. In fact, this movie from beginning to end has more in common with that one than The Hound of the Baskervilles. Gone is the deerstalker cap, the pipe is modified, Holmes' mastery of the violin is replaced by aimless noodling, but Robert Downey, Jr. makes it something of his own, to the degree that you can with a character this well- known. Jude Law as Watson doesn't play catch-up, either. In fact, as with the Rathbone-Nigel Bruce relationship in the most popular Holmes movies, Downey could give the performance he does in a vacuum, so Law, in a role that's hardly a showcase of his skills, has to ground this adventure. He makes more daring rescues of the intrepid sleuth than the other way around. The occult is a good subject matter for this update, and Mark Strong as the wraithlike Lord Blackwood, a villain with seemingly otherworldly abilities, would make a terrific Holmes in a more traditional environment. He's cold, calculated, eloquent, gaunt, and mechanical. Strong has been fantastic in a few roles over the past couple of years, supporting DiCaprio and Crowe in Body of Lies and in director Ritchie's underappreciated Rocknrolla. He could be the heir apparent to Alan Rickman, lacking only the powerful sense of humor Rickman has never been able to hide. The production design and costumes are richly detailed, the casting of the minor roles and extras is perfect for the occasion, and Downey, Law, and Strong are arresting at times. So what's the problem? Well, there are two. The first is easier to explain: Rachel McAdams might be the best actress in the world to play Holmes' paramour Irene Adler, but the character is so poorly drawn here, she just wastes everybody's time. This film should be and is an examination of the relationship between Holmes and Watson, and Adler is nothing more than a third wheel. That's the biggest problem, but it bleeds over into the secondary issue, one of formatics. In addition to Adler's unneccesary presence, Holmes tries to press too many things into action, from Holmes' martial arts training to Watson's own romantic relationship. If there are sequels afoot, save that stuff for them. The story here is a good one, and three strong characters have been given shape and depth. Leave it at that. Sherlock Holmes is a better collection of its good elements than it ultimately is as a film. Entertaining, fun, smart, and good-looking, it is still guilty of putting ten pounds of Sherlock in a five pound bag.

Comments

[SEAN]

You know whats so cool is that I have a buddy who works at a local movie theater, who invited me to watch a private screening of Sherlock Holmes, 2 whole days before it came out...they wanted to check if the reel was ok, which is "unusual" using his words
---SORRY I JUST HAD TO BRAG, I FELT REALLY SPECIAL! lol

Anyhoo, yes I completely agree the character of Irene Adler was a complete waste & very underdeveloped...i liked your phrase "3rd wheel," very accurate
---if I had been Rachel McAdams I would of somehow demanded to work w/ the writer (Guy) & help develop the role a bit....i dunno why that didn't happen..

The production design, cinemotography, & costumes were quite impressive, Guy & his team somewhat surprised me with that aspect...

However now I can somewhat understand why the Globes chose Downey over lets say the more deserving Galifiankis...I still dont agree but it does make a bit more sense now

Oh & that trailer was very misleading making Sherlock Holmes appear as "Austin Powers" quoting Colin, b/c what I had anticipated was pleasantly not the case...

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