Film: Sherlock Holmes
Cast includes: Robert Downey Jr. (The Soloist), Jude Law (The Talented Mr. Ripley), Rachel McAdams (The Time Traveler’s
Wife), Mark Strong (Body of Lies), Eddie Marsan (Little Dorrit), Kelly Reily (Me and Orson Welles)
Direction: Guy Ritchie (Snatch)
Genre: Action/Mystery/Thriller
In brief: When the film opens, Holmes and Watson are making a dramatic rescue and capturing the infamous Lord Blackwood, who is sentenced to hang. But when the excitement dies down, Holmes is going stir crazy… three months later, there still isn’t a case that interests him. Meanwhile, Dr. Watson is engaged elsewhere… literally. In just a week, Watson is moving out of 221B Baker Street because he’s planning to marry the beautiful Mary Morstan. Holmes is peeved, and he’s not above trickery to prevent Watson’s move.
As it turns out, the Blackwood case is not entirely finished. Lord Blackwood’s last request is a meeting with Holmes at his jail cell. It’s a creepy place, and Blackwood has spooked all the other inmates. What so important that Blackwood has to tell Holmes? “You and I are on a journey… More will die… You will make it all possible… Death is only the beginning.” All this talk of black magic seems like bunk after the hanging. Watson examines Blackwood and finds him to be truly dead. Case closed… end of story… until Blackwood comes back from the grave. The grave is indeed broken open. And when they examine the coffin, it’s not Blackwood inside but a ginger-haired dwarf from another case… or is it? Watson asks Holmes if he believes in the supernatural. Holmes says he won’t rule it out, but he’s not willing to except that solution until all the natural explanations have been exhausted.
Anyway, it’s not Watson’s concern. Watson’s getting married and moving out. But Holmes reminds Watson of unfinished business… “No girl wants to marry a doctor who can’t tell if a man’s dead or not.” And besides, Holmes knows that Watson is “terrified of a life without the thrill of the macabre.”
This is not the Sherlock Holmes you’re used to seeing. He’s still dark and anti-social. And he’s still able to make brilliant deductions from small details. But this Holmes is a man of action. This film is filled with action, violence and special effects. If you go expecting to see the familiar Sherlock Holmes, you’ll be disappointed. This is the Guy Ritchie version… over-the-top, kinetic action combined with humor, stop action, slow motion and visual effects. It even has plot details that go toward Da Vinci Code territory… but that would suggest supernatural… which Holmes is not ready to embrace. In the end, this Holmes still has what it takes to bring villains to justice. And he does it with flair.
3 popped kernels
Fun production... not my favorite Holmes... but definitely entertaining
Popcorn Profile
Primary Audience: Young adults
Gender Appeal: Any audience
Distribution: Mainstream wide release
Mood: Upbeat
Tempo: Pure adrenalin rush
Visual Style: Computer effects
Character Development: Not that kind of film
Language: Irreverent and artful
Social Significance: Pure entertainment
