When people think of legendary literary character Sherlock Holmes, an image comes to mind of a hawk nosed man, wearing a deerstalker cap, puffing on a pipe with a rotund assistant who helps him solve many a case. In late 2009, Guy Ritchie’s version of the world’s greatest detective was released with
many of the characteristics associated with the world’s greatest detective removed from this film.
Robert Downey Jr. is the latest actor to portray the super-sleuth, with Jude Law as Dr. John H. Watson. In Sherlock Holmes we find Holmes and Watson helping Scotland Yard’s Inspector Lestrade unravel a nefarious plot that threatens to destroy England. Holmes and Watson must race against time to stop the deceitful Lord Blackwood, a black magic-wielding occult leader and former Member of Parliament who has apparently returned from the dead after his execution.
Things get more complicated for Holmes when he crosses paths with the woman who broke his heart years earlier and got away; the devious Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams). Holmes must now contend with Irene and whatever her motivations are for this case, in addition to losing Watson as he’s getting married and moving out of their shared flat at 221B Baker Street.
Ritchie ditches the deerstalker cap and pipe for Holmes, while keeping the keen intellect that is the heart of the character; he also went back to the source material and made him strong in mind and body. If you couldn’t imagine Holmes as a pugilist this film will change your mind; Downey is great as Holmes. He’s a bit quirky and uses his sharp wit and brainpower to deduce exactly what’s going on with Lord Blackwell as well as dealing with Irene Adler and his feelings for her.
Law isn’t who you would think of as Dr Watson, but he’s the perfect complement to the chaos of Holmes, both characters are intelligent, but Watson also acts as the brawn to Holmes brain. The duo have a chemistry that works very well on screen; they are more equals than portrayed in earlier film adaptations (which often cast Watson in the role of Holmes' long-suffering assistant.)
Rachel McAdams is great as the ingénue, and her character is an interesting choice for a somewhat romantic interest for Holmes since she’s only in one book. Hopefully she’ll be back to flesh out her character.
Video:
The colors don’t pop in Sherlock Holmes, however that is appropriate to the period being reconstructed. The look is drab, with blacks, greys, and browns being the most prevalent colors, with very well-defined shadows and fog. The only drawback is some of the CGI is more apparent in this high-def clarity that might not be seen in the standard definition DVD.
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Article comments
1 - Jason
This Movie looked real intersting as I was a big fan of Sherlock holmes when I was young. However, this movie doesn't look like it was made with children in mind.
2 - Theresa Newell
I saw the film and your article does an excellent job of sharing the contents of the film. It was something of an adjustment for me to accept the "new" look for Sherlock. But, I am a senior citizen so change is more difficult for me. Thanks for your well done summation of the film.
3 - Praveen
somehow i didnt actually like this movie. Maybe i went with too much expectation out of an historic character like sherlock holmes.