Monday, January 4, 2010

Sherlock Holmes

Movie name: Sherlock Holmes
Year of release: 2009
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan, Geraldine James, Kelly Reilly, William Hope, William Houston
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Score out of ten (whole numbers only): 4

Synopsis:Guy Ritchie's new film following "RocknRola" and "Revolver" is a story about Sherlock Holmes, based on the famous character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but not an adaptation of one of his books per se. The film follows Sherlock Holmes and his partner in solving crimes, Dr. Watson as they face a superlative villain, Lord Blackwood. Holmes and Watson are this time facing a criminal who claims to use the occult to trick death and who wants to rule England (and the world by extension). To make matters worse, Holmes also has to deal with the reappearance of Irene Adler, whom he was romantically involved previously. All these characters intersect in a plot filled with conspiracies, all for Holmes to tackle and sort out. Guy Ritchie has approached this film in a very muscular/action oriented way - this isn't the Sherlock Holmes from BBC with Jeremy Brett. This Sherlock Holmes has the wit and sarcasm, but also the physicality to employ it when needed. This modernization of Sherlock Holmes is however it's biggest downfall, since it makes the film feel just like most action films, except for the period setting. Having explosions, boxing matches with slow motion editing, doesn't add anything to a film about a character who surpasses these cliches. The strongest point for the film is the great cast: the always talented Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law do a good job embodying these characters. Rachel McAdams doesn't have much to do and Mark Strong is as always competent playing the villain. Forgettable.

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