Sherlock Holmes
Think of this movie as Tony Stark playing Sherlock Holmes. The reason I say that is because Sherlock Holmes sits around his lab inventing strange things just like Robert Downey Jr.’s character in Iron Man. Downey brings that same frantic genius to the Sherlock Holmes character. Actually, Downey’s characters from both franchises might just be extensions of his own personality. Both of his characters are reckless, but really intelligent people.
Sherlock Holmes is Guy Ritchie’s best post-Madonna movie to date. And, it is good to see a Madonna-free Ritchie try something a little more mainstream. Sherlock Holmes has a lot going for it, even with a few glaring flaws. Some of Ritchie’s snappy dialogue and sharp editing sometimes harms the time period the movie is set in.
However, Ritchie’s vision of London is one full of people of various lifestyles and beliefs. I’ve never seen a Sherlock Holmes movie look this full of people and colors.
-Jude Law is brilliant as Dr. John Watson. Actually, Law fits into the role better than Downey does as Sherlock. The central character arc involves their friendship. Watson is moving ahead with his life without Sherlock in it, and that’s causing tension between the two.
- I really like Rachel McAdams’s strong female character in the movie. I think the movie could have used more of her. She does have an important connection to a famous villain in Sherlock’s history.
-The movie tends to drag a bit in some places, and the movie as a whole probably needed a bit more time in the editing room. It felt a bit long.
-We get to see exactly how Sherlock’s mind works in various scenes. And, that is the real reason to see this movie. Everything seems logical and smart in the way his mind flows. I also enjoyed the way they explained everything through Sherlock’s mind.
-Hans Zimmer’s score is very fitting in the movie. Zimmer does a stand up job with the music.
In the end, Sherlock Holmes is a fun movie. It is probably Guy Ritchie’s most mainstream movie to date, but don’t let that keep you away from seeing this movie if you’re a Ritchie fan. Even though the trailer makes the movie out to be a smashing action hero Sherlock Holmes, that’s not the case at all. The movie is bit too long for its own good, but still a good gateway for younger people to see Sherlock Holmes.
Grade: B-
Nice review, Semaj. A lot of reviews have mentioned the strong bromance (or homoeroticism), but I didn't feel that it was overdone. I liked how they used the London's history and locations (such as the half-completed Tower Bridge). Overall it was a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I think the friendship between the two of them is what really made the movie work for me. I could have done with more of that stuff in the movie.
ReplyDeleteI loved the bit with the Tower Bridge. Very neat effects with that too.
Ritchie did a good job making London a character in this movie.
Does noone have issues with the bastardization of the original literature? The very essence of Holmes is not Action hero. Quite the contrary he is more deductive reasoning meets finesse
ReplyDeleteTrust me, Mayren, I feel your pain, my mother is a huge Sherlock Holmes fan and she was a little scared of this new version.
ReplyDeleteBut I think this update is probably necessary for younger people to get into Sherlock Holmes, and perhaps read the older stories or movies/tv shows.
As long as Holmes doesn't put on a robotic armor suit, I'm down, but I understand where you're coming from.
BTW, Will Ferrell has a comedic version of Sherlock coming out too.