Downey and Law hold this film together

Rating: 7/10 (14 January 2010)

Robert Downey, Jr., if there was ever a story of comeback, this man has the ultimate life to tell anyone. 2008 was his year and now he's knocking everyone dead again in 2009. We end the year with his sure to be a hit movie, Sherlock Holmes. One of the world's most famous detectives and most beloved adventurous stories to hit the big screen. Which I still think that The Great Mouse Detective is my favorite Sherlock Holmes story(or homage if you will). See, Sherlock Holmes had an incredible amount of potential that could have either made it one of the funnest movies of the year or even an Oscar contender. Unfortunately, I wasn't as thrilled as I thought I would be. For one, it was a bit too long running at 130 minutes, it's a little slow paced at times and you just loose track of the story. Also while Robert and Jude have a great on screen chemistry to work this incredible friendship, along comes Rachel McAdams. Don't get me wrong, I like the girl, she's a decent actress, but I have no idea what she's doing in this film. Her character is essential, but I don't think this was her role. Guy Ritchie, this is definitely a step up from his previous films that he's directed, I wish this could've been a home run in movies for him because I think he does have a great talent, but Sherlock Holmes did turn into a disappointment.
In 1891 London, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson race to prevent a human sacrifice ritual conducted by Lord Blackwood. Holmes and Watson stop the sacrifice just in time and neutralize Lord Blackwood, after which the police arrive and arrest him. Blackwood's execution occurs three months later, during which Holmes has become bored without a new case. Holmes is re-acquainted with Irene Adler. She offers him a sum of money to pursue a case of a missing red-haired midget by the name of Reardon. Holmes disguises himself to find the identity of Adler's employer, but can only surmise him as a professor. Three days after Blackwood's execution, his tomb is found shattered, from the inside out, and an eyewitness reports seeing Blackwood walking away. Holmes, Watson, and Lestrade find Blackwood's coffin contains the body of the red-haired midget. As Holmes and Watson investigate, the two senior members are killed through apparent magical means by Blackwood, and he assumes control of the order, desiring to use the Order's power to push for England to retake the United States.
The film is entertaining, it's by no means a bad movie and is definitely worth the watch, but I think I could have waited for the rental. Maybe I was expecting a bit too much from the film, but from the trailer I was pumped to see this movie. Personally I would've liked to see more of the friendship between Robert and Jude, they were really great on screen together and always come in with adventure and a good laugh. Mark Strong makes a good villain as Lord Blackwood, but once again, his character has no depth really and doesn't give me the chills like Alan Rickman or Jeremy Irons would have in a film like this. But who knows, I'm not a casting director. I probably will watch this film once again as some of my friends wanted to see it and will probably rent it one night for us all to watch, I might like it a little better the next time, which will call for a re-write. But until then I wasn't really happy with the movie and just expected so much more.
7/10