Sherlock Holmes

Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law as Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson

As Hollywood execs would have known all too well, the story of Sherlock Holmes was overdue a remake. Indeed, this is the first cinema adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic tales for over two decades - following 1988’s parody Without A Clue (starring Micheal Caine) and 1986’s highly enjoyable kids flick Young Sherlock Holmes (with Nicholas Rowe).

The directorial reins have been handed to Guy Ritchie, in a move that was destined to either reignite or kill his recently stuttering career. Luckily for him he had the good sense to cast Robert Downey Jr. (who has proved more than once that he can carry a film on his own) rather than any of his usual stalwarts (ie Vinny Jones or Jason Statham) in the lead role. Alongside him is Jude Law as Doctor Watson and Rachel McAdamson as Irene Adler, Sherlock’s romantic interest.

The film starts with Holmes breaking up a ceremony involving the sacrifice of a young woman. The culprit Lord Blackwood (played by British actor Mark Strong) is arrested and imprisoned for a series of murders and occult activities. As his final request before being executed he asks for an audience with Sherlock and reveals to him that his death is just the beginning and that there will be at least three more murders. Then Lord Blackwood is hanged and pronounced dead by Doctor Watson himself.

However within a day or so of being buried, Blackwood inexplicably rises from the dead and breaks open his tomb. It also soon becomes clear that through secret society links he has a strong influence within government and police circles and plans to take over the world. Soon the tables are turned and there is a warrant out for Holmes’ arrest.

At this point you may be forgiven for thinking that the world’s greatest detective has bitten off more than he can chew and perhaps ought to consult Ghostbusters instead. However, as Conan Doyle stressed in his books there is always a rational explanation – even when the rest of the country are crowing on about magic and the end of the world.

Mark Strong and Robert Downey Jr. as Lord Blackwood and Sherlock Holmes

As someone who used to love the 1940's black and white Sherlock films with Basil Rathbone, I really enjoyed this one too! It has a decent plotline, enough action to make it well worth seeing on the big screen and a great cast. Downey Jr. plays pretty much the same arrogant, self-centered, yet extremely loveable character he showcased in Iron Man, but with added substance abuse (including some unfortunate but amusing experiments on Watson’s pet dog). Law must be credited for underplaying the part of Watson perfectly – perhaps uncharacteristically so for an actor more used to hogging the limelight.

Strong (who also worked with Ritchie in RocknRolla) makes a great British baddie and McAdams does okay, though I still can’t bring myself to like her after wasting two hours of my life watching The Time Travelers’ Wife. There is also a great supporting cast of British actors such as James Fox (Sir Thomas) and Eddie Marsan (Inspector Lestrade). Respect must also go out to the team who worked on the set for creating a very convincing late nineteenth century London.

There is also a mysterious character lurking around the sides of the film, whose face is never shown yet who comes to the fore at the end - clearly setting it up for a sequel. Expect Professor Moriarty to be big in the next instalment - Brad Pitt is already being tipped by some for the role. Whether Ritchie (who worked with Brad on Snatch) will return as director is a different matter. He’s got his adaptation of the mental DC comic book hero Lobo to sort out first.

Sherlock Holmes movie website
 

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