Sherlock Holmes

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Sherlock Holmes

January 31st 2010 05:16

I was very excited to see this film. Mostly for the great cast; Robert Downey Junior (Sherlock Holmes), Jude Law (Dr Watson) and Rachel McAdams as Holme's love interest, Irene Adler. The cast do not disappoint, all giving outstanding performances. The costumes and set design too are exceptional. But as for the director, I give him an average (C-) rating.

Our story begins when Watson and Holmes arrive just in time to save the female victim of a ritual killing by Lord Blackwell. Blackwell is arrested for several previous killings and is hanged....or is he? Days later his tomb is found empty, apparently risen from the dead. Holmes is on the trail, but several more deaths ensue before the climax where Lord Blackwell tries to take over the parliament using witchcraft and sorcery...or is it? Anyway Holmes does get to the bottom of it and gets rid of Lord Blackwell once and for all only to reveal a more powerful enemy Professor Moriarty is lurking in the wings and thus setting this franchise up for the sequel.

Downey has admitted to experimenting with his portrayal of Holmes', mostly of his questionable sexuality. An idea that has disturbed Arthur Conan Doyle's descendants somewhat. But actually the brotherly relationship between Holmes and Watson is the highlight of the film. They are awful to one another but at the end of the day you know they have each other's back. Downey's Holmes is incorrigible and as much as Law's Watson wants to move on with his life he can't bear to leave Holmes to his own devices nor miss out on all the excitement. McAdam's is smart and sassy in her role as career criminal and the only woman capable of getting the better of Holmes.

The setting for this movie too is exciting. Not enough films of this period exist. Where superstition was a part of life, science and technology were advancing in leaps and bounds and criminal justice system allowed police to lock people up, ask questions later. With some scenes set to the backdrop and on top of the half complete Tower Bridge you get a real sense of time and place and it's thrilling.

My problem with this movie is that director, Guy Ritchie missed the essence of Holmes. Sherlock Holme's was the brilliant mind that used his powers of deduction from the tiniest of clues to piece together the mystery that escaped the rest of us mere mortals. If you wanted to be bedazzled by Holme's brilliant mind you will be dissapointed in this movie. Yes there are clues that Holmes puts together to solve the crime, but they are extravagent and outlandish. For example a spot of ink on the collar of Watson's fianc and Holme's immediately can tell she cares for an argumentative boy aged 7 as if there could be no other explanation.

The real beauty of the true Holme's was that it was "elementary my dear Watson". Simple clues that become obvious once Holme's pointed them out. Richie's clues are complete leaps of faith. Instead Holmes and Watson are brutes. More action heros than detective and doctor. But I guess that's just making them more "current", I thought all the laboured fight scenes unneccessary and would have preferred a bit more intrigue and mystery solving from a Sherlock Holmes movie. But that's just my opinion. I'm all for a sequel, but let's get a new director!!!

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