Fast and full of action...if nothing else it breathes new life into an old classic

Rating: 8/10 (17 January 2010)

Some say there is no originality left in Hollywood. Sherlock Holmes is about as far from original material as you can get given there are probably hundreds of Sherlock Holmes films and TV Episodes and yet could anyone other than Hollywood put together a completely new spin on an age old idea. And this is building Sherlock Holmes from the ground up into a completely new genre and franchise. There was already a lot of hype around the film when I got to seeing it. Mostly the people around me raved about it as a terrific action flick and they weren't wrong but I think the film wasn't quite the masterpiece some made it out to me. I mean ultimately it was the age old idea with the same action genre ingredients mixed in. Even bringing on a director with flare and style (although I've never seen a film of his) didn't change the fact that there was nothing particularly outstanding about the way the film was made. Nonetheless sometimes, even most times, a movie is just about having fun and Sherlock Holmes is exactly that. Terrific cast, solid action, great humour, and just simply a fun romp.
Robert Downey Jr. has always been a respected actor but as of late, especially since Iron Man he is a Hollywood star of the highest calibre. As the infamous Sherlock Holmes he is funny, neurotic, brilliant, and as always ignites the screen and is always watchable. If anything he has brought Sherlock Holmes into a new generation. No one else could have played him like this. I wasn't sure about Jude Law playing the world famous sidekick Dr. Watson. I've always see Law as having a bit of an ego and I didn't think he could tone that down to play second fiddle to Downey Jr.'s character. I was wrong in every way. Law is amazing as Watson and the two of them have amazing chemistry which is a necessity to this team. The two of them together are funny, and eccentric and just awesome. Their banter and co-operation is just fun. I enjoy Rachel McAdams, she's a versatile actor and beautiful but unfortunately as Sherlock's love interest and a vivacious thief she is very underused. I think her character could be fascinating and her and Downey have the hint of solid chemistry but they aren't given the chance to really get down to it. I hope she returns for the series and they utilize her more with Downey. Mark Strong is solid as the evil mysterious villain Lord Blackwood. He isn't the best foe I could have imagined and his performance doesn't quite match that of Downey or Law but he is decent. I am more on the edge of my seat to see Moriarity materialize.
As I said I have not seen a Guy Ritchie film but I've heard of his unique and strong indy style from previous films. I think what he brought to Sherlock Holmes was a strong feeling of updating the character and yet still keeping the main ideas in tact. Holmes is still brilliant, he can decipher just about anything and is incredible intuitive but this Sherlock can also break bones and hold his own in a scrap. Nowadays a great hero needs more than just brains and clearly Ritchie and the rest of the film makers got that memo loud and clear. Sherlock Holmes (although opening on Christmas) jumps starts a solid year in 2010 of great entertaining movies. You can see the film and have fun and not have to wonder if it's critically acclaimed or whether it will walk away with awards. It's a feel good, fun time, and while it has it's share of violence and a little sexual innuendos the language was completely clean which is surprising and welcome. Go see Sherlock Holmes because it's well worth seeing on the big screen. It might not be mind blowing but it's the beginning of a great franchise. 8/10