Sherlock Holmes

Viewer Rating:simonconnolly has rated Sherlock Holmes rating: 4 Star

When it was announced that after years of desperate attempts Sherlock Holmes was finally to reach the big screen with Guy Richie at the helm not everyone was for the idea. Richie has had his great films in the past but in recent years he has been a shadow of his former self. Not to mention he has always been quite a hard hitting director with guns, violence, sex and gangsters predominant in most of his films. And Holmes is a very difficult character to adapt as people are always going to expect a lot given the long wait. And as it turns out Richie was in fact the perfect man to take control of this. In the film legendary mystery solver Holmes and his trusty sidekick Watson are working together to take down black magic practicing murderer Lord Blackwood. Going in I like everyone else had my doubts but this was perhaps the most entertaining film of the year. It has the perfect balance between comedy, drama and mystery and they are blended together very stylishly. Fortunately Richie opts for the spectacular in most cases which make the film visually enjoyable. But in my eyes Richies biggest achievement here is how he took on the film. It is almost impossible to dislike quite simply because it never even begins to take itself seriously. This lets Richie do some truly ridiculous, preposterous things without being ridiculed. This also let Downey Jr. and Law to have a lot of fun with their roles and it allows the audience to sit back, relax and just enjoy the film. Fighting, magic and mystery. It has everything you could want from your Holmes. And luckily we aren't subjected to the origin story we so often see in films nowadays. These origin things are almost always quite time consuming and pointless. The setting of the film also adds to the film. The films ominous atmosphere makes the film and this comes from how Richie captured old England with black magic, thieves, tramps and gypsies everywhere. Richies fight scenes are also great in the film. They are very stylish, well orchestrated and utterly engaging. Not to mention they provide a nice break from the films events which in places become a little hectic. I thought that the film was suprisingly funny too. Holmes and Watson have a constant back and forth going and they bicker like a married couple which was quite funny to watch. There are hilarious one liners and amusing physical gags. It is completely unnecessary but welcomed comic relief in the film. But the film, like every other film has flaws. The biggest problem was the films big climax. It was a little less satisfying than I hoped it would be and I was left quite underwhelmed. And the story was a bit too simple. On the one hand it makes things less complicated but on the other hand thing did become a little repetitive in places. But generally the film was impressive and hugely entertaining. The films cast are good throughout. Downey Jr. is his usual, funny, charming self. It does seem that he can't play anyone else but Robert Downey Jr. but at the end of the day he is an extremely likable man so it works. People like it and at least he has gone and added and accent to keep his act fresh. No but really he was very good. Smart, witty, funny and a little clueless when it comes to emotions, relationships and all that jazz it was a display he can be proud of. Oh and just to mention quickly that he more than deserved his Golden Globe win for best actor in a comedy of musical. Jude Law was also very good. I have never been his biggest fan and I've never pretended that I was. But I'll admit he has won me over with his performance here. He perfectly suited the role of Watson. He and Downey Jr. have great chemistry as the oddly close crime fighting duo and they make the film a lot more enjoyable. They have a constant back and forth which is extremely amusing and there are directs out there who only wish that their love interests were as good together as these two. The beautiful Rachel McAdams is the love interest in this case. She is the perfect match for Holmes in the films story and is the perfect match for Downey Jr. in the cast. To be honest she would be almost completely pointless in the film if she didn't look so good. Her character is never developed, we get no insight into her and Holmes' past and as a result it is nearly impossible to work out her motives. Mark Strong plays bad guy Lord Blackwood and he also did a great job. He was everything a baddie should be. Cunning, creepy and chillingly calm in the face of death and arrest and all that. So all in all this is a funny, engaging and outright lovable film and in my eyes the suprise hit of 2009. I was really worried that Richie would make a mess of it and ruin Holmes for good but this is actually one of his best films. It is visually magnificent with a simple yet gripping story, a chilling villain and a brilliant cast. I would highly recommend this film as once you just sit back and let yourself get into it it is very entertaining. It doesn't take itself too seriously and this lets me, the cast and just about everyone else enjoy the most fun film of last year.

Review published on the 15 February 2010 13:44