JohnDoe
Bryn
Brenton
Sherlock Holmes (2009) - Trailer Included
The Delicate Art of Detection Replaced with Sledge Hammer Spectacle.
Sherlock Holmes - Available on DVD
Director: Guy Ritchie
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, mark Strong, Rachel McAdams, Eddie Marsen, Kelly Reilly, James Fox, Joe Egan
“My mind rebels at stagnation! Give me work! Give me problems!” – Sherlock Holmes
Since first being published in 1887 Arthur Conan Doyle’s deductive sleuth Sherlock Holmes has inspired over 200 films. Obviously with that many adaptations there has been an array of alternate interpretations.
From a traditional approach most agree that the Basil Rathbone starring series sits atop the heap. Bob Clark’s Murder By Decree and the Christopher Lee/Peter Cushing series are also enjoyable contributions.
Successfully reimagined numerous times, be it the comedy of role reversal in the Michael Caine/Ben Kingsley starring Without a Clue. The crutch of his cocaine addiction with The 7% Solution or the characters eccentricities in Billy Wilder’s The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes. Several have even abandoned the source like Sherlock Holmes Smarter Brother starring Gene Wilder. Personally JD has always had a soft spot for the mental instability of the derivative They Might Be Giants starring George C Scott...But Johnny digresses.
Point is, despite the abundance of modifications and reworkings no one thought, or dared to make Sherlock Holmes an action hero until Guy Ritchie got his hands on the material. Exploiting reference to the fictional martial art Baritsu and the characters propensity for pub brawls from the books this latest reincarnation features much more physicality than has ever appeared on screen.
Returning to the original novels and ignoring all cinematic interpretations, Ritchie’s film is simultaneously loyal and ignorant. Amputating much of the intelligence we love and substituting it for pyrotechnics and flesh pounding, the film should be a complete failure. As a Holmes film it may frustrate cinema purists but it is serviceable as a rollicking adventure mystery. This is a popcorn blockbuster that entertains because of its strong willed glee.
Set in London circa 1891, the story begins with our ingenious hero (Robert Downey Jr) and his loyal companion Dr Watson (Jude Law) pursuing the villainous Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong). Responsible for the murder of five women in ritualistic black magic ceremonies he is in the process of killing his sixth victim when they capture the fiend.
“Lord Henry Blackwood, you have been sentenced to death for the practice of black magic, the unholy murders of five innocent young women, and the attempted murder of a sixth. Have you anything final to say?’ - Governor
Sentenced to death, Lord Blackwood dangles on the end of the hangman’s noose but soon it is discovered that he has returned from the grave with a devious plan that threatens the entire globe.
Triggering a battle of wits and brawn that will uncover a secret society, reunite lost love (Rachel McAdams) and test all the master detectives logical reasoning when confronted with the seemingly supernatural crimes. The game is afoot.
Time for another explosion?
John Doe Says:
A Molotov cocktail poured into a bottle of Dom Perignon, the result is a mix of loud, obnoxious originality and homage that is always designed to amuse through tension, spectacle and humor. The film is brash and witty with care taken to maintain a Gothic British atmosphere and if it has to be compared to any other Holmes film it bares a passing resemblance to the 1980's Young Sherlock Holmes and The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.
Paced like a buddy cop film but driven by esoteric exchanges and elementary danger this is as much an investigation of the character as it is a search for forensic clues.
Frustrating early on with an over use of declared fight intentions and seemingly mindless violence, soon the plot thickens and footing is established.
Guy Ritchie’s stylized Direction likewise grates in the first 15 minutes but soon wins the viewer over despite heavy reliance on CG effects. His Snatch/Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels stamp etched firmly on every frame.
The moody Art Direction and cinematography both contribute to tolerating the conceits. The rambunctious musical score elevates the whole thing and along with the casting forces a surrendering of cynicism.
The screenwriting team of Anthony Peckham (Invictus), Simon Kinberg (Mr & Mrs Smith) and Michael Robert Johnson (Feature Debut) obviously went over the master of disguises lore with a magnifying glass to deduce the elements that hadn’t already been bought to the screen. A sly nod to the notorious cocaine addiction and the highlighted mischievous idiosyncrasies of the engaging central figure are most welcome.
Robert Downey Jr’s (Wonderboys, Restoration, Kiss, Kiss Bang Bang) unique foibles and tics compliment the parts arrogant intellect that comes with the price of social alienation and he has infectious fun doing it. Embracing the "weirdo" of the literature and abandoning the familiar deerstalker cap and Meerschaum pipe his pugilist portrayal is a quick minded, but frustrated genius who sleeps on the floor, over imbibes and manipulates those who get in the way of his solutions.
As the good Doctor Watson Jude Law (Gattaca, Existenz) has the right chemistry with his leading man to make us believe this is a bromance that has gone through many adventures together. At times stiff upper lipped, he none the less is a worthy counterpart to his co stars extroverted delivery.
Bringing a porcelain softness that reminds of Eva Green, as the wily Irene Adler actress Rachel McAdams (Red Eye, Mean Girls) is an excellent foil for her male stars. Never making an impression till now, she seems well suited to the role. A deceiving surface that hides criminal behavior and is not adverse to using violence to achieve her goals makes her a suitable muse for Holmes’ affectionate eye.
Unintentionally resembling Andy Garcia, Mark Strong (Syriana, Sunshine) does well as Blackwood, the bad guy with occult desires. Thankfully playing with cards close to his chest instead of the appropriate hammy glee he brought to Kick Ass. Strong is a talented performer with charisma that will soon rise to greater heights.
Discombobulated at first but slowly warming to the film, John Doe found pleasure mixed with annoyance in its mass appeal intentions. Anyone but Robert Downey Jr in the role would have probably sunk the ship. There is no denying the passion for the subject and despite taking some extreme liberties, in the end Sherlock Holmes is a mindless diversion that is better enjoyed without comparison to that which came before.
Sherlock Holmes trailer
Interview with Director Guy Ritchie
Interview with Robert Downey Jr and Jude law
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Horrorphile
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
I've read where Daniel Day Lewis has reportedly signed up to play Prof. Moriarty in the sequel. I'm there!
Movies and Life
Screen Adventure
Horrorphile
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
Screen Adventure
ps. Bryn - I'll send through whatever I've done on L.I.V. this coming weekend
Horrorphile
Film & TV on DVD
A popcorn ride indeed. I was scared away by the annoying trailer too. Made it look like they had never even read a single Conan Doyle novel.
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Hi Bryn,
I don't know if it could even be described as a guilty pleasure, just a film I can appreciate why others enjoyed who had not grown up with the character. Don't know if it will ever get a second screening.
Still haven't seen Rock'N'Rolla.
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Hi Deni,
I thought Ritchie was excessive with the action and hsi reliance on CG. Damned if the science of the fight thing didn't get old real quick and the flashback perspective was grating too.
Still as a fluff piece it was superior to much of what is out there with over 100 million bucks thrown at it. BUT as a Holmes film it was sorely lacking...but admittedly I am a massive fan of Sherlock and his adventures (own about 15 different films) so I had expectations that weren't met. I really love a lot of the reinventions of the character that have happened but this one just made him too much like any other action hero. He reminded me of Bruce Willis in The Last Boyscout actually.
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Hi Tracy,
The element of intelligent design is what is missing, but as a popcorn actioner you can do worse.
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Hi Shaun,
Surprised you liked this one. I haven't seen Rock'N'Rolla to comment. Still think Snatch was the pinnacle of Ritchie's career from all the others I have seen.
misscherie09
link: Really Long Link
Film & TV on DVD
I didn't love Sherlock as you can tell, but it was better than I was expecting.
Thanks for the visit. Hope to see you around these parts more often.