Mediocre at best

Rating: 6/10 (1 January 2010)

Releasing a movie on Christmas day for some reason is not always a bad idea. Sherlock Holmes is further proof that if you open a movie on the 25th of December somebody will watch it. However, aside from all of its praise, it's still fair to call this movie mediocre.
Not one aspect of this movie surpasses anything done by previous films of 2009. How can Robert Downey Jr, an English speaking man by nature, be almost incomprehensible in a theatre with speakers at ample volume? It was like he was mumbling through his lines because he forgot what he was talking about. In this day and age of masterful dialogue, I find that completely unacceptable.
Why did they drop the cool play by play action sequences in which Holmes beats up some baddies? Those few moments were far better than all the CG effects that plague the rest of the action scenes.
At no time did this movie attempt to involve the viewer in the mystery that was unfolding. One never got the feeling like they were as much solving things as Sherlock Holmes was. Rather, the movie just sort of spoon feeds you explanations of overly intricate schemes that in no way anyone could ever guess. As well some of the events that did transpire had no effect on the rest of the plot. Watson is caught in an explosion, seemingly very badly hurt, and is out of the hospital one scene later. Pointless.
Aside from RDJ's mumbling, he puts on a good performance. Law does a great job with what he's given as well. Late 19th century London is appropriately dreary and what you'd expect from another Sherlock Holmes film.
6/10, baby.