Sherlock Holmes Review

Starring: Robert Downey, Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Eddie Marsan, Mark Strong, Kelly Reilly, James Fox

Director: Guy Ritchie

Ratings: 3/5

What a magnificent return to form for director Guy Ritchie. His rendition of Arthur Conan Doyle's character is pumped with heavy duty steroids to take 'radical' to the very next level. What makes 'Sherlock Holmes' infectiously entertaining is that it never takes itself too seriously, which makes it easier for Robert Downey Jr to set the screen alight with his deliciously wry humour.

You don't have to be a big fan of Ritchie's movies to enjoy this flick, 'Sherlock' succeeds on so many levels you won't believe it until you see it. This is not just a one note action comedy, this is a certified franchise starter, complete with huge explosions, breakneck pacing, outrageously funny dialogues and an eerie mystery at its core. Think of this as a 19th century buddy cop movie, and its not too different from a sharper, witter version of Lethal Weapon. Robert Downey Jr is quite like the eccentric Mel Gibson who gets things done after piling on a huge mess, and Jude Law is Danny Glover contemplating retirement. But heck, there is so much fun to be had here you'd wish to return for a second viewing.

'Sherlock Holmes' does very well in borrowing a few choice titbits from the books, sample these lines - "The game is afoot", "You have a grand gift for silence, Watson. It makes you quite invaluable as a companion.", "Crime is common, logic is rare", "My mind rebels at stagnation" and "Data, data, data—I can't make bricks without clay". And Downey's dialogue delivery shockingly gives a humorous twang to all of them. Holmes affectionados will also be pleased to know there's the classic shot of the 221B Baker street appartment. And Irene Adler is one of the main characters in the film. With her Crown Diamond. Sheer genius.

Coming to the story, Holmes finds himself embroiled in an extraordinary case dealing with the villainous Lord Blackwood (played with startlingly affective menace by Mark Strong) dealing with Black Magic. Blackwood is arrested in the beginning of the film after Holmes crashes in on his Voodoo murder party. The court pronounces a death sentence and Blackwood is hung by his neck till death. Doc Watson checks the body's pulse. The corpse is cremated. Lo and behold, three days later an eyewitness sees Blackwood's body rise from the grave. And all hell breaks loose. Meanwhile there is a surreptitious, faceless second antagonist with ulterior motives lurking about in a wagon. The mystery is intense, the adventure is swashbuckling, the action scenes and editing are very Ritchie-esque with slow-mo and fast cuts nicely jelled together.

The cinematography and art direction deserve special mentions as Ritchie convincingly fleshes out the 19th century England of Doyle's books. The soundtrack is killer as it never derives from the cliched, blaring orchestra seen in most Hollywood films. The highlight of 'Sherlock Holmes', is of course the duo of Downey and Law who are completely committed to their characters. There's no way you won't be entertained with this product. Do give it a watch. But make sure you watch it in a theater which provides subtitles, for you're bound to miss a dry British wisecrack or two.