Post by Patcat on Dec 22, 2009 9:35:55 GMT -5
I was fortunate enough to see a preview of this film last night.
A disclaimer--many of you may know I'm a big Sherlock Holmes fan. It's one of the reasons I'm a Goren fan. I confess I had some qualms about this film. I've never been impressed with the director Guy Ritchie's work. I have been impressed with Robert Downey, Jr., but he's an American, and he's not physically my idea of Holmes.
Mr. Downey is still an American, and he's still not my physical idea of Holmes, but he's awfully good in this movie. The previews may have lead you to believe this Holmes is all brawn, but there's considerable brains on display in the writing and the acting of the character. Mr. Downey's performance impresses me more the more I consider it. Jude Law is an excellent Watson, one who benefits from the script's treatment of him. The film's strongest point is its humorous and affectionate treatment of the Holmes/Watson friendship, and both Mr. Downey and Mr. Law depict this relationship very well. The film does a terrific job of creating a dark and menacing London.
Problems--Well, the plot is one of those Holmes saves London and the world things, and there's a lot of mumble jumble about secret societies and black magic, and it all doesn't make a lot of sense if you think about it too much. Although, to be fair, the film manages to bring it all together in the end. Rachel McAdams plays Irene Adler--Holmes' rival and some think love interest--and while she's a good actress, I thought she was too young and too lightweight for the part.
But these problems didn't keep me from having a really good time. This is Sherlock Holmes as the first action hero, and it's very good.
Patcat
A disclaimer--many of you may know I'm a big Sherlock Holmes fan. It's one of the reasons I'm a Goren fan. I confess I had some qualms about this film. I've never been impressed with the director Guy Ritchie's work. I have been impressed with Robert Downey, Jr., but he's an American, and he's not physically my idea of Holmes.
Mr. Downey is still an American, and he's still not my physical idea of Holmes, but he's awfully good in this movie. The previews may have lead you to believe this Holmes is all brawn, but there's considerable brains on display in the writing and the acting of the character. Mr. Downey's performance impresses me more the more I consider it. Jude Law is an excellent Watson, one who benefits from the script's treatment of him. The film's strongest point is its humorous and affectionate treatment of the Holmes/Watson friendship, and both Mr. Downey and Mr. Law depict this relationship very well. The film does a terrific job of creating a dark and menacing London.
Problems--Well, the plot is one of those Holmes saves London and the world things, and there's a lot of mumble jumble about secret societies and black magic, and it all doesn't make a lot of sense if you think about it too much. Although, to be fair, the film manages to bring it all together in the end. Rachel McAdams plays Irene Adler--Holmes' rival and some think love interest--and while she's a good actress, I thought she was too young and too lightweight for the part.
But these problems didn't keep me from having a really good time. This is Sherlock Holmes as the first action hero, and it's very good.
Patcat