An Energetic, Exciting Blockbuster

Rating: 8/10 (4 June 2010)

Director Guy Ritchie's track record has been pretty mixed. I loved Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, I enjoyed Rock'n'rolla and I strongly disliked Revolver. I haven't seen Snatch or Swept Away (the latter I am not interested in seeing), but their reputations seem to back up my point. So when I heard that Guy Ritchie was doing a tough guy, action version of Sherlock Holmes, I was concerned. Even the casting of the legendary Robert Downey Jr. didn't douse my fears, and the promotional material makes this seem more like a mindless action blockbuster than anything else.
However, I was pleasantly surprised when I first this at the cinema, and watching it again on DVD, I've come to like it even more. This is because, whilst the 2009 vision of Sherlock Holmes is an action blockbuster (and a highly enthusiastic one at that), it also takes care adding layers of complexity to its two main protagonists. This is helped no end by two terrific performances by Downey Jr. and Jude Law.
The story kicks off with Holmes (Downey Jr.) and Watson (Jude Law) apprehending the villainous Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong), who is responsible for a series of murders in London. Three months later, Holmes has become a recluse and Holmes is engaged to Mary (Kelly Reilly) and is planning to move out, leaving their partnership in the balance. The dynamic duo have just one last mystery to solve; the recently hung Blackwood have apparently returned from the dead, and is scheming to bring down the government through the use of dark magic. Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams), the only person to ever outsmart Holmes, is also thrown into the mix. But who is the mysterious figure she's so afraid of?
The pulsing centre of Sherlock Holmes' appeal are the meaty, crackling performances of Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. Over the past two years, Downey Jr. has grown to become one of my favourite actors, and his performance here is as wonderfully idiosyncratic as you could expect from an actor of such a high calibre. There are many layers to Downey Jr.'s performance; whilst he is a deductive genius, he is also a social pariah (the beautiful scene where he attempts to embarrass Mary in front of Watson nails this point). There is also a nicely understated sense of loneliness in Downey Jr.'s eyes. Whilst Holmes isn't an entirely sympathetic character, Downey Jr. makes him someone who you can relate to. However, Holmes is only half the equation without Watson, and all credit should go to not only Law, but also Ritchie and the writers for giving us a Watson who doesn't linger in Holmes' shadow, as could have easily been the case. Watson doesn't have the same deductive power as Holmes (then again, who does?) But he is still a smart, capable and tough guy who is more than willing to face off with Holmes if he crosses the line. Law brilliantly mixes his usual charm with battle-hardened wit and discipline, making Watson so much more than your usual sidekick. The supporting cast is solid. Mark Strong is effortlessly sinister in yet another top-notch villainous turn. He is becoming typecast as the bad guy, but only because he plays these characters so well. Eddie Marsan is wonderfully dry as the annoyed Inspector Lestrade, whilst the beautiful Rachel McAdams and Kelly Reilly work wonders with their relatively underwritten, romantic interest roles. But it's the effortless chemistry between Downey Jr. and Law which raises the film above so many other action movies, and which makes Sherlock Holmes engaging, more so than the twisty plot or the big action.
Speaking of the action, it is surprisingly exciting. The first five minutes are breathless, quickly getting you swept up in the story. The first two fights have a original touch in which Holmes' thought process on how best to dispose of a opponent is shown before he actually launches the attack. Whilst it's a shame that it's dropped after these two fights, it nonetheless effectively shows that Holmes wins a fight through the use of his intellect, rather than sheer brawn. Only the final show-down between Holmes and Blackwood is disappointing, as it is over way too quickly, although it is saved by Downey Jr.'s deductive speech. As an action blockbuster, this is very entertaining. However, it works mainly as a buddy comedy, the banter between Holmes and Watson bearing some really funny results.
Sherlock Holmes is technically astounding. The production design is stunning, with London becoming a living, breathing character along with the characters. There is a lot of detail here, and the mixture of gritty realism and blockbuster fantasy is just right. Hans Zimmer's score pulses with organic energy, giving brilliant atmosphere to the film. And, apart from one rather obvious sequence involving a huge boat, the visual effects are seamless, effortlessly recreating 1800's London.
Ritchie deserves a big round of applause for his direction. He brings real energy and enthusiasm to this, and makes sure that the characters are actually worth caring about. Considering his personal problems (namely, his deteriorating relationship with Madonna), Ritchie should be commended for throwing himself into his work. The screenplay is also nicely written, combining darkness and wit with a playfulness which is surprisingly endearing (although it's a pretty far stretch when Watson yells out "Nut him" during a scrap).
Overall, Sherlock Holmes is an immensely entertaining piece of entertainment. It isn't flawless. The plot is overly complex first time around, although it becomes clearer after numerous viewings, whilst McAdams and Reilly deserved more screen time and the screenplay has some all-too-modern moments. But under the well-made action sequences and the top-notch production values is a wonderful relationship between Holmes and Watson, brought to life with relish by Downey Jr. and Law, which brings the film to life. Bring on the sequel!