Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Sherlock Holmes (2009)
Rating: 12A (Ireland)
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Mark Strong, Rachel McAdams, Mary Reilly.

Plot:

The film opens with Holmes (Downey Jr.) and Watson (Law) catching occultist and ritualistic serial killer Lord Blackwood (Strong). He is tried and hung for his nasty deeds. However not long after, he mysteriously returns from the grave, resuming his killing spree. Holmes is on the case with his faithful side kick Dr. Watson.

I was never a fan of Sherlock Holmes I will be honest. To me the idea seemed aged and stuffy. So the idea of a re-invented Sherlock Holmes at the hands of Guy Richie appealed to me -A modern take on an old story. And it really works. This is a great film. This is what films are meant to be. Well acted, well thought out and very enjoyable. Guy Richie has done a great job of fusing the brilliant detective with a little bit of a steam-punkish feel that just fits. Add a little dash of well placed violence to the mixture and you’ve got a perfect film. As enjoyment goes it’s up there with the best. Its fun, it’s witty and it’s well acted.

However, people will berate this film. That it is a travesty to Arthur Conan Doyle’s genius inspector. They are wrong. This is just a case of movie snobbery. I am not a fan of movie snobbery. All I will say is if Michael Moore directed this as a study of the grimy life in Victorian London your movie snobs would be drooling at how great a movie this is. Anyway I digress...

What can I say? Robert Downey Jr. is one of the few actors who has come back from the brink and just completely re-invented himself. His portrayal of an intelligent perhaps slightly tortured man is outstanding. He brings a quirky and witty element to the legendary detective that leaves the audience at times reeling from his attitude and falling in love with his charm.

Earlier on in the review I referred Dr. Watson as a sidekick. Let’s get one thing straight side-kick is a term I use loosely. Jude Law’s portrayal of Dr. Watson is a breath of fresh air. The bumbling Dr. Watson of old is gone, replaced by his slick and intelligent younger self. He is such a well rounded and enjoyable character you just can’t help but sympathise with him as he tries to deal with the brilliant yet often times childish Holmes.

On a side note the film surprisingly reflects a little of Iron Man. Sherlock Holmes is almost like looking at a Victorian Tony Stark. An intelligently brilliant man, a long suffering friend and an addictive habit - in the case of Sherlock Holmes a substance used for eye surgery – a reference to his cocaine habit and Tony Starks obvious alcoholism. I don’t say this as an insult merely that it should it pointed out.

To sum up Sherlock Holmes is highly enjoyable with all the flair in the story, the well played characters and the usual speedy camera work (I know I just shot myself in the foot by mentioning cinematography but when it comes to Guy Richie he has a particular way of filming a film that should be addressed...) that is usual of Guy Richie. See this film. Whether in cinema, at home or (god forbid) online.

It is an enjoyable piece of escapism and in the end isn’t that what cinema is meant to be?