MOVIE REVIEW: SHERLOCK HOLMES
Up In the Air
Director: Guy Ritchie
Screenplay: Tony Peckham & Simon Kinberg
TRT: 129 Minutes (PG-13) for thematic material including violence, disturbing images and a scene of suggestive material
Cast
Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes
Jude Law as Dr John Watson
Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler
Mark Strong as Lord Blackwood
Peacock Feathers (4 out of 5)
By Marcus Thorpe
Your grandfather’s Sherlock Holmes this is not, and thank goodness! In Guy Ritchie’s vision of the dream team that can solve any caper there is, this is rippin’, roarin’, blastin’, action that starts and really never stops. It is fun, and interesting, but most of all, it shows just how talented Robert Downey Jr. is, he is golden, no matter what he touches. Before we get the breakdown on this plot, understand, this is not going to win any awards, its not the best written story of all time, but if you want to go to a movie and get entertained, YOU GOT IT!!
Now, Sherlock Holmes of 2009 is a mess, he is all over the place, neurotic, sneaky, rude, selfish, but loyal, strong, and mad genius brilliant. Downey Jr. is the perfect choice for the role, and really the only person I can even see in this role present day. His jack-hammer pacing is maddening and yet very interesting. Do you lose something in the translation, I think you do. But, does it lend itself to the character he is playing, I think it does. He of course has to have his sidekick for this movie to work, and this time around Watson is played in the very capable hands of Jude Law. Law brings the calm to the chaos, He is there at just the right time, and he can’t say no to his friend and foil, Sherlock Holmes.
The story is one of fear for a town, a fear of magic and the power someone who wields it can be. That person is Mark Strong, who puts the dark side into Lord Blackwood. Blackwood is trying to sell his brand of power to anyone who will listen, and wipe out anyone that gets in his way. Of course that is just where Holmes and Watson want to be. The story is waaaaaay too complex for me to give you in just a few paragraphs, but what really hits home during this film is that Holmes has everything figured out, he just waits for it all to come together for everyone else before he moves on with his plan. There is a very interesting part played by the always fabulous Rachel McAdams. Irene Adler is the only one who finds a way to stand toe-to-toe with Holmes. How? Well there is only one thing each has a weakness for, each other. The thing is, neither of them trust the other, and it ends up burning them several times. As for the on screen chemistry between Law and Downey, I think it really works. If you are going to find someone to play the straight man to Downey’s Holmes, Law was a nice choice. Downey however steals the show. He is at the top of his game, and you can see it in his face, he knows it!
The other real star of the show is Ritchie. Known for his fast cuts, elaborate fight scenes, and intense action chase scenes, Holmes is right in ex- Mr. Madonna’s wheelhouse. He finds a way to cut the camera 8 times in one punch, slow things down, then bring you back around. He decided that his Holmes was going to break the mold, and he is not apologetic about it at all. He plays with drab colors, explosions, and an end scene that in the hands of sloppy directing could have looked amateur, this is a pro at work here.
For the “old school” Holmes fans this film might seem a little herky-jerky. The script and story really go all over the place, there are a few fight scenes with Holmes the boxer that don’t quite fit. But grab your popcorn, snacks, and bring an open mind and my guess is you will walk away entertained, either by the movie, or the amazing work yet again from Robert Downey Jr.
MT
Want to see movies where I do?? Check out showtimes to the Arena Grand at http://www.arenagrand.com
Posted by
on 12/27 at 09:59 PM
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Comments
This one I hope to see, but maybe on pfv
Posted by mar45701 on 02/27 at 07:20 PM-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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