Sherlock Holmes
Cast: Robert Downey, Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Eddie Marsan
Dir: Guy Ritchie
Rating: 4/5
After a couple somewhat below par movie Guy Ritchie returned to form with RocknRolla in 2008 and it’s great to see him once again string a couple of great movies together with Sherlock Holmes.
After finally catching serial killer and occult "sorcerer" Lord Blackwood, legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson can close yet another successful case.
But when Blackwood mysteriously returns from the grave and resumes his killing spree, Holmes must take up the hunt once again.
Contending with his partner's new fiancée and the dimwitted head of Scotland Yard, the dauntless detective must unravel the clues that will lead him into a twisted web of murder, deceit, and black magic.
Ritchie has brought together a great cast and Sherlock Holmes proved to be the final movie gem of 2009 that didn’t disappoint on any level.
Yes it’s Robert Downey Jr’s turn to step into the legendary shoes of Sherlock Holmes bringing the legendary sleuth back to the big screen with a bucket full of swagger and humour.
This role is right up Downey Jr’s street, a slightly eccentric character that’s a little of the wall yet totally brilliant bringing this character to a whole new generation.
Downey Jr lights up the screen with every scene and his partnership with Jude Law is right on the money, it will be great to see this partnership in hopefully future movies.
But what’s great is we see Ritchie move away from the gangster movie genre and tackle something a little bit different.
It’s a fast paced movie that never stops and Ritchie isn’t afraid to put a new spin on an old character and story.
And while the purists may cringe at the sight of Holmes bare knuckle boxing Ritchie and Downey Jr have moved this character forward and it’s was refreshing to see something original and new.
However Rachel McAdams is desperately underused which is a real shame and the femme fatale character just isn’t very believable.
But it’s the central partnership of Holmes and Watson that really drives the movie as Holmes struggles with the reality that Watson is to be married while Watson finds it difficult to put his loyalties to his old friend aside.
While it’s a bit of a change for Ritchie his mark is all over this movie and it’s great to see him film a script that he hasn’t penned.
In all Sherlock Holmes is a rollercoaster of a ride that doesn’t come up for air until the final credits role. The movie is perfectly poised for the sequel.
Sherlock Holmes is out now.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Tagged in Robert Downey Jr