Starring: Robert Downey, Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdam, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan, Robert Maillet, Geraldine James, Kelly Reilly. Action/Mystery. Directed by Guy Ritchie. Synopsis:The famous detective goes up against an equally clever and sinister foe who has designs on ultimately taking over the entire British Empire, and seems to have the ability to return from beyond the grave.
I don't have the exact stats, but the Sherlock Holmes character/story has to be in the top 5 in terms of the number of times it has been remade, referenced, or been paid homage in cinema. Hell, it might be in the top 2.
So, I think whenever you do a movie that contains a charaacter(s) that so many people know so well, it's got be a challenge, especially when you're looking to infuse the character with something new, which is done in this version. And done pretty well, in my opinion.
Yes, the most famous sleuth in the world is reivented as an action here of sorts in this version. Taking full advantage of modern day perks like CGI, we get to see Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr. U.S. Marshals) as a bare knuckle brawler in undergound fight clubs, dodging flying bullets,engagin in fisticuffs on scaffolds high in the sky, and jumping out of windows into the Thames. But, don't worry, Holmes exceptional powers of deduction and reasoning don't suffer a bit. Though these facets may be fairly original when it comes to the big screen, I believe they are likely more faithful to Doyle's novels.
Our story basically begins with the capture of, what we would today call a 'serial killer', a well heeled scoundrel named Lord Blackwell (Mark Strong Hotel) who will soon, as things tended in the late nineteenth century, hang for his crimes. He does, and is pronounced dead by no less an authority than Holme's good friend, partner, and respected medical practioner Dr. Watson (Jude Law The Aviator)
And, here is where the fun begins, because this guy Blackwood just won't stay dead. Soon after his burial, he is seen walking around, which puts extreme fear into the hearts of many. Blackwood also had some politically connected friends who seem to be taking rumors of his return from the dead fairly well, in fact, we could be looking at a whole new form of government.
Of course, the fly in the ointment, so to speak, will be Holmes, who not only wants to stop the Blackwood menace, but it would be nice to erase the black eye his pal Watson has suffered by pronouncing Blackwood dead. No, Holmes does not consider for a second that there really is some black magic at work here.
All in all, I think this movie works on the most important and basic level of flicks, particularly big budget flicks: it's fun. Downey does a good job as Holmes, mastering the ever tricky 'accent' issue as the only American actor of the major characters, you buy him as a Brit. More importantly, you completely by him as the sleek, brilliant, and enigmatic Holmes which is most important.
I also like Law as Watson, the Holmes-Watson relationship has been done several different ways, with this flick portraying them more as equals and caring friends than most. There is good chemistry between them.
Strong is outstanding as Blackwood. You can't have a great heo without a great villain to match wits with him-at least that's my philosophy, and Strong really does it here, in fact he was my favorite character in the movie.
Rachel MacAdams (State Of Play) plays Irene Adler, Sherlock's female adversary and implied love interest. MacAdams does fine with her material but, frankly, I didn't think her character was necessary to the plot of the flick.
On the whole, if like The Sherlock Holmes legend or Robert Downey, jr., you will like this movie, I believe. As much as I liked Downey here, I can't say he has become my favorite Holmes on the big screen (Christopher Plummer in Murder By Decree still holds the title.) , but this flick is a hell of a good time and, really, we don't need much more than that.
Do we?
