Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some startling images and a scene of suggestive material.
128 Minutes
Directed By: Guy Ritchie
Written By: Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham
Staring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan, Kelly Reilly, Geraldine James, Robert Maillet, William Houston, James Fox, Clive Russell
128 Minutes
Directed By: Guy Ritchie
Written By: Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham
Staring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan, Kelly Reilly, Geraldine James, Robert Maillet, William Houston, James Fox, Clive Russell
You have the grand gift of silence, Watson. It makes you quite invaluable as a companion. – Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes was the most enjoyable film I saw over my holiday break. Yes, it was even more enjoyable than Avatar. Do not get me wrong, Avatar was a great film and one that I don’t even feel the need to write a review on since it has already been covered expertly by Heather. Sherlock Holmes is one film that I was truly pleased with on so many levels.
Growing up I fell in love with Young Sherlock Holmes and had hoped and prayed that one day Spielberg would make a sequel to that film. Since he has not done so I am currently content to have such a great version of Sherlock Holmes from Guy Ritchie. Many purists may have been put off by an unkempt characterization of Sherlock but let me assure you that you will soon fall in love with this version of Holmes and can truly understand why there are already plans for future films.
After many months on the trail of Lord Blackwood Holmes and Watson are able to put him behind bars. Unfortunately it is after he has already killed 6 women in his occult ceremonies. Lord Blackwood is sentenced to death but within 48 hours has risen from his tomb and is reeking havoc on London and Holmes and Watson must step in once again to save the day and solve the crime.
Downey Jr. has had one hell of a come back since Iron Man. Sherlock Holmes continues to show his range as an actor and his ability to rake in the dollars for the production companies. This combination will allow him to remain in the spotlight for many years to come if we are lucky. Jude Law is fabulous as Watson for which I am happy because his last somewhat decent film was The Holiday. Watson is neat and well mannered and Holmes is unkempt and ill mannered and both are highly intelligent and make a wonderful crime solving duo. The excellent casting does not stop with Downey and Law. Mark Strong is an extremely menacing character and a great villain to Holmes and Watson. Rachel McAdams has begun to have meatier roles and compared to Mean Girls and The Notebook which is a great sign at her range as an actor as well. Eddie Marsan has been having a great run lately with some wonderful character bits and I must say that he is a true master of becoming various characters and can handle a variety of accents.
For films where accents are required it is alway a concern if the actor will be able to properly pull off their accent. Downey did a fantastic job with the English accent. It was neat hearing the various dialects of the English speaking characters. Watson’s accent is very polished which is fitting because of his character being well educated and a physician. Eddie Marsan who plays Inspector Lestrade has a thicker cockney accent.
One sign for me of a strong film is one that has excellent production quality and realistic props. This film is a prime example of a period piece that spared no expense with costuming and props and that are realistic for the era. I really enjoy quality costuming, and that is a big part of this film. There are some extravagantly detailed costume pieces worn by the characters. In addition, loved the house that Watson and Holmes shared. Holmes room is completely disheveled which matches his personality yet everything is exactly where it belongs in his mind. The complete opposite end of the spectrum is Watson who is clean in his quarters as well as his appearance.
The Bottom Line:
If you are looking for a great time in the theater then this is the movie for you. It is not your standard action adventure and has enough suspense and thrills to get your moneys worth in the theater. One of the only downfalls of the film is its length. I kept reminding myself that this film needed to be a little longer so that we could become accustom to the characters again. I think that worked and I for one am craving more clever deductions in the years to come. Rumor has it that Brad Pitt may star in the next film which would be wonderful in my opinion!
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Hahahaha……….Jim, I think people are afraid of my protectiveness over Avatar. It’s like my own little movie child. Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisss………..I will protect it.
I’m going to REALLY try and see this sometime during the week. I want to so badly, and reading your review and respecting your opinion so much, only furthers my desire to see it.
and seriously if Brad Pitt shows up………that’s movie Euphoria.
I mainly did not feel the need to regurgitate the same things you were saying. I mean it is a great movie and all but the mob is all about diversification! Here is the story about Pitt joining the Sherlock Holmes sequel:
http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/09/21/sherlock-holmes-sequel-in-development-brad-pitt-in-discussions-to-play-moriarty/
Very smooth indeed,
I actually ended up watching this instead of Avatar since it was all sold out. It certainly was a good time and I’ll be waiting patiently for the sequel. And is it just me or is Robert Downey Jr. the only guy who can get completely strung out and randomly fall asleep in a strangers house and still have a great movie career after. Hell, Winona Ryder just shoplifts some stuff and what happened to her!
Good review Jim although I don’t consider this as a “meatier role” for McAdams.
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