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“Sherlock Holmes” is a fun film for mystery lovers that offers an impossible puzzle and brilliant deductions.
Unfortunately, it lacks the intellectual dialogue one would expect from a “Sherlock Holmes” novel.
Although Sir Arthur Conan Doyal purists may be disappointed, Guy Ritchie’s adaptation of the classic is packed with clever action-filled sequences, sprinkled with impressive illusions, and is entertaining until the end.
The plot centers itself around the villain Lord Blackwell (Mark Strong), a satanic killer who is brought to justice in the opening sequence by none other than Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and Dr. John Watson (Jude Law).
Before his hanging, he swears that he’ll return from the grave and take over the world; shockingly enough he keeps his word.
This starts the dynamic duo (Holmes and Watson) on the trail of an epic mystery.
In his personal life, Holmes has to come to terms with the idea that his dear Watson is leaving him for a woman and also must deal with the return of the one person who could get the best of him, Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams).
Ritchie has an appealing way of showing how Holmes’ mind works through problems, whether they are following clues to Blackwell’s next victim’s location or (more commonly) how to effectively beat up a man while shirtless. There are times in the film that his deductions seem rushed in order to fit the earth shattering action and visual appeal.
However, it’s hard to not be captivated by this group of actors. Downey Jr. plays a Holmes that manages to keep the integrity of the original London super sleuth while offering up a bolder side that most movie-goers today will be drawn toward.
His chemistry with Law is impeccable, and their fun little bromance is enough to compensate for the fact that Law isn’t the first (second, third) person to come to mind when thinking of a sidekick.
Overall “Sherlock Holmes” is a fun movie that will make many moviegoers hope for a sequel because it doesn’t stick perfectly to the original content of the novels written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
