Sherlock Holmes

Sherlock Holmes 2009
Director: Guy Ritchie
Writers: Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham and Simon Kinberg
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan, Robert Maillet, Geraldine James and James Fox

When I first heard that Guy Ritchie was taking on Sherlock Holmes I was a bit hesitant. He really had not made a memorable film since Snatch and was worried that he would be able to pull a good story out of the world's greatest detective. Thankfully, Ritchie comes through and makes a solid film that reinvigorates Holmes while still retaining the core of the character. Downey is a perfect choice to play Holmes. He plays him with a zest and a sense of sardonic wit that really works. Law as Watson is a great foil and not played like a bumbling oaf as he is usually played on film. The story is imaginative and keeps you guessing and that is at the core of a good Sherlock Holmes story. The film is a rousing adventure with a great sense of humor and some rousing action sequences.
The plot basics are this, it is Victorian era London and Sherlock Holmes (Downey) and Doctor Watson (Law) have just caught murderer and occultist Blackwell (Strong). Blackwood is convicted and put to death, but somehow survives and begins a new reign of terror and goads Holmes into chasing him and discovering what he has planned. Holmes then runs into Irene Adler (McAdams) and finds that she is part of the nefarious plot and now must discover a way to thwart the plans of Blackwell which is far more insidious than they would have believed. It will only be through the quick wit of Holmes that this plot will be thwarted.
This is a rousing and fun action film. Ritchie's direction is fast paced and beautiful. The locale really feels like Victorian England. One of the best examples of this is the chase and fight through the wharf. Also, the street fight sequence with Holmes is another one that really shows the dirty and grimy side of London and that really comes through with the colors Ritchie uses in the film. The script is very smart. The constant one up man ship of Holmes and Watson is very sardonic and a joy to watch. The villain is quite nefarious and a great foil to Holmes. It is also great to see other points of Holmes history intersect in the film , such as the appearance of Irene Adler. The cast is phenomenal. Downey personifies Holmes to a T and is by far the best one since Jeremy Brett. Law as Watson is quite capable and really handles the wit and exasperation very well along with the requisite action scenes. McAdams is a great femme fatale as Adler and you are always questioning where her loyalties really lie. Strong is a very sleazy and nefarious villain and he really hams it up in every scene he is in. The action sequences are amazing and re peppered throughout the film. The wharf scene, as mentioned before and the final showdown between Holmes and Blackwell are rousing action sequences that will keep you riveted. The score by Hans Zimmer is another key ingredient in the film. It creates a bombastic feeling as you immerse yourself in the film. This is by far one of the best interpretations of Holmes and I look forward to many more films like this.
This one gets 5 out of 5