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The holidays, filled with family, fun, and of course a trip to the cinema Christmas day. This year I had the privilege to take my best friend and wife Lady Chica to see “Sherlock Holmes.” Before we get started, I always believe we should start with the movies synopsis so people can have a frame of reference for the review.
After finally catching serial killer and occult "sorcerer" Lord Blackwood, legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson can close yet another successful case. But when Blackwood mysteriously returns from the grave and resumes his killing spree, Holmes must take up the hunt once again. Contending with his partner's new fiancée and the dimwitted head of Scotland Yard, the dauntless detective must unravel the clues that will lead him into a twisted web of murder, deceit, and black magic - and the deadly embrace of temptress Irene Adler. Written by The Massie Twins imdb.com
The Good:
Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law had awesome chemistry as Holmes (Downey) and Watson (Law). The way Watson cared for Holmes is a given from all the novels written over the years about the two, but in this incarnation Watson just being the caregiver to Holmes wasn’t the main dynamic in the relationship. Guy Richie (the director) showed him just as flawed and adventurous as Holmes if not a little more. In some instances Watson stole scenes that we were meant to be focusing on Holmes. This made the movies story have more flavor to me. You had more to watch then a just brilliant detective who solved crimes to watch. Now you know had this great relationship full of companionship and conflict to savor over and dissect.
My favorite part of the movie is in the various scenes that they introduce Holmes greatest nemesis Moriarty. It wasn’t like Spiderman or X-Men were you had the hero’s having to figure out three different villains at the same time. Richie very slyly worked Moriarty into a devious subplot that baffles even the great Sherlock Holmes until the end.
The acting was superb by the whole cast. At no point did I ever feel like I was taken out of the movie by the acting. The movie had a solid pace that kept me engaged even when the plot thickened, and I started feeling like someone who was in a great conversation but kept missing the point.
The action was gritty and fierce. Downey was excellent as a bare-knuckled boxer in 1800’s England, and Watson showed ample skills with his sword cane.
The movies background was gloomy and course. Richie really out did himself with making you feel like you were looking at what England really looked like in the early 1800’s. When you see Downey boxing and the sweat run down his face as the crowd urges him on in a frenzy you will know what I mean.
The Bad:
Promotion for this movie sucked in my opinion. Yes, there was a media blitz for the movie, but people from the ages 15 to 30 have no idea who Sherlock Holmes is. My own wife (who’s age I won’t say) had no idea who Holmes was and only wanted to see the movie because of Downey and Law. All the commercials did was portray Holmes and Watson as an adventurous crime fighting duo.
There were a ton of people complaining after the movie because they didn’t get what they expected. One guy I heard say he thought it was cool they made Holmes into a detective, WHAT! Where were the comic book tie in’s, and the book store promotions getting people re familiar with the characters? I believe that even thou the movie had some big numbers this weekend; they could have been bigger if more people knew who the character was.
I really don’t have anything harsh to say about the Sherlock Holmes movie other then the reintroduction of the character was horrible. If you’re looking for a fun, smart movie to go see this week I would totally recommend this one.
I would give this 3 out of 5 popcorns
After finally catching serial killer and occult "sorcerer" Lord Blackwood, legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson can close yet another successful case. But when Blackwood mysteriously returns from the grave and resumes his killing spree, Holmes must take up the hunt once again. Contending with his partner's new fiancée and the dimwitted head of Scotland Yard, the dauntless detective must unravel the clues that will lead him into a twisted web of murder, deceit, and black magic - and the deadly embrace of temptress Irene Adler. Written by The Massie Twins imdb.com
The Good:
Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law had awesome chemistry as Holmes (Downey) and Watson (Law). The way Watson cared for Holmes is a given from all the novels written over the years about the two, but in this incarnation Watson just being the caregiver to Holmes wasn’t the main dynamic in the relationship. Guy Richie (the director) showed him just as flawed and adventurous as Holmes if not a little more. In some instances Watson stole scenes that we were meant to be focusing on Holmes. This made the movies story have more flavor to me. You had more to watch then a just brilliant detective who solved crimes to watch. Now you know had this great relationship full of companionship and conflict to savor over and dissect.
My favorite part of the movie is in the various scenes that they introduce Holmes greatest nemesis Moriarty. It wasn’t like Spiderman or X-Men were you had the hero’s having to figure out three different villains at the same time. Richie very slyly worked Moriarty into a devious subplot that baffles even the great Sherlock Holmes until the end.
The acting was superb by the whole cast. At no point did I ever feel like I was taken out of the movie by the acting. The movie had a solid pace that kept me engaged even when the plot thickened, and I started feeling like someone who was in a great conversation but kept missing the point.
The action was gritty and fierce. Downey was excellent as a bare-knuckled boxer in 1800’s England, and Watson showed ample skills with his sword cane.
The movies background was gloomy and course. Richie really out did himself with making you feel like you were looking at what England really looked like in the early 1800’s. When you see Downey boxing and the sweat run down his face as the crowd urges him on in a frenzy you will know what I mean.
The Bad:
Promotion for this movie sucked in my opinion. Yes, there was a media blitz for the movie, but people from the ages 15 to 30 have no idea who Sherlock Holmes is. My own wife (who’s age I won’t say) had no idea who Holmes was and only wanted to see the movie because of Downey and Law. All the commercials did was portray Holmes and Watson as an adventurous crime fighting duo.
There were a ton of people complaining after the movie because they didn’t get what they expected. One guy I heard say he thought it was cool they made Holmes into a detective, WHAT! Where were the comic book tie in’s, and the book store promotions getting people re familiar with the characters? I believe that even thou the movie had some big numbers this weekend; they could have been bigger if more people knew who the character was.
I really don’t have anything harsh to say about the Sherlock Holmes movie other then the reintroduction of the character was horrible. If you’re looking for a fun, smart movie to go see this week I would totally recommend this one.
I would give this 3 out of 5 popcorns
__________________
"SO LET IT BE WRITTEN SO LET IT BE DONE"
SO SAY'S BIG CHICO
Last edited by Big Chico; 01-20-10 at 03:41 PM.
Long live Sharlock Holmes .
