02) Sherlock HolmesDirected by Guy RichieReleased in 2009As far as popcorn flicks go, it has to be said that Sherlock Holmes is one of the more entertaining releases of the last year or two. By no means is it perfect, but it's got pretty much everything you'd want if you are just looking for something easy-going to watch after a long day: There's a strong mystery story that, while keeping you intrigued from start to finish, you never have to think too hard about. There's plenty of fun action sequences throughout including a very amusing moment reminiscent of David And Goliath. And there's even enough laughs to keep you smiling the entire time.
Robert Downey Jr stars as the famous detective alongside Jude Law as Dr. Watson, both of whom do a perfectly fine job in capturing the characters from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories. Holmes it still a brilliant detective with outstanding observation. He still smokes his trademark pipe, is still bohemian in his lifestyle and is still somewhat of a loner. Watson, moreover, remains the brave and capable a right-hand man who is the chronicler of all their adventures.
However, this is about as far as the similarities go. While little homages are paid to some of the classic stories, it's a much more modern version that we have ever seen before. There are chase sequences, slow motion fist fights, explosions, shootouts and swordplay. The mystery itself is actually closer to a Dan Brown novel than anything Doyle has written. And even in terms of it's style, the director, Guy Richie, brings his fast paced and almost comic book like trademarks from Snatch and Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels to the picture.
I can see some people who are huge fans of Holmes being put off by this, but at least it's a fresh take on the stories that will pave the way for a younger audience to appreciate such a fantastic franchise.
Of course, it's not a film without it's faults. It does take some time before the narrative really starts to flow and, as much as I like Mark Strong, the movie's villain, Lord Blackwell, is very conventional. Moreover, Holmes' voiceovers early in the film make the action a bit disjointed, there isn't much tension throughout and some of the film's flashbacks are fairly redundant.
However, it's hard to feel unsatisfied with the overall outcome as it's just so much fun to watch. My favourite part of the story is the joyfully camp relationship between the two protagonists. Holmes and Watson argue like a married couple over the ownership of the dog, they bicker about each others bad habits and, in one very funny scene, Holmes attempts to show off in front of Watson's girlfriend. However, beneath it all, there is a loving friendship between the two characters and we recognise that they will always be a loyal team.
Oh, and Hans Zimmer's score is a gem too!
3/5
2 comments:
It's definitely RDJ that makes this worth watching. It's like the more money you give Guy Ritchie the worse he gets (though Lock Stock wasn't enough money, Snatch was as good as he gets). I figure the style is a moot point here, since I never expected anything more than what I've seen before, but it's the storytelling. We saw the bad guy way too early and it got epic too soon and kept at that level the whole way through. Why don't filmmakers understand that the way to do dramatic tension is to release it once in a while? (I'm looking at you, Nolan!) Anyway, I'll probably see Holmes 2. Once.
- Jack Moulton
RDJ is the man in everything he does! Haha.
Personally, I think this is Richie's best. I know that's not saying a lot because I despise Snatch and Lock Stock, but I found it to be pretty entertaining despite its numerous faults. I'd never watch it again though.
Being from Liverpool, I think I found it slightly more fun spotting some of the local landmarks in the film too! Haha.
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