Film Review: Sherlock Holmes

I would say that this isn't the Holmes you know, but let's be honest here. While there is a "traditional" view of what the master detective should be like, there have been a countless number of treatments of the character over the years. We've gotten versions where the detective is a sham and his assistant Watson is the genius (Without a Clue). We've even had versions where the titular detective was a puppet who hung out with a young boy and a talking dog. (Oh, Sherlock Jones... what fond memories I have...).

Still, this new film from director Guy Ritchie feels like a new treatment, or at the very least a fresh take on a character that hasn't gotten much of a spotlight in recent years. In this tale Holmes (the suddenly resurgent Robert Downey, Jr.) and Watson (the always bankable Jude Law) take on a case that involves murder, deception, and the dark arts. To say more would be to give away details that are best left witnessed for oneself.

And witness you should. The film takes you into historic London and completely wraps you up in its world until its conclusion. The story told here is a complete, entertaining tale told within a reasonable time span. The film runs exactly as long as it should, and when it ends it leaves you wanting more, but thoroughly satisfied with what you have. More films should try and do that...

Downey's performance as Sherlock, a tortured genius who is as hindered by the workings of his mind as he is aided, is inspired. Mind you, we've seen tortured, socially awkward genius roaming around for a good while now in various venues (that curmudgeon House comes to mind), but Downey's portrayal makes Holmes annoying, but in a manner that's almost charming. Almost.

Law's Dr. Watson is the perfect foil for this character. Unlike some iterations of the story where Watson is simply a sidekick or narrator, here Watson is both the mental and physical equal to Homes (who is himself quite the brawler). And while he spends a good deal of time remorsefully enduring Holmes' abuse and dishevelment, it is obvious that he truly enjoys their friendship and the work that they do. He is a perfect partner to the detective.

The rest of the supporting cast puts in solid performances, so much so that it doesn't feel like a single character is wasted. The allies are supportive, and the villains are as entertaining as they are antagonistic.

If I have one complaint about the whole thing, it would be that at times the visuals suffered. Although the only real thing that bugged me was the same thing I see all the time now: excessive quick cuts/unsteady cameras during fight scenes. It's a shame, because all of the fighting appears beautifully choreagraphed, and would have been better served with just a slightly slower visual treatment. At least Holmes gets to showcase his disturbing, bullet-time like fight scripting at various points of the film.

I don't really have much else to say. Except that I can't remember the last time I thoroughly enjoyed a film as much as I did this one. Granted, I don't hit the movies that often, but the packaging here is brilliant, the story is solid, and it barely misses a beat. You might as well go ahead and pony up the bucks to see this one now, or at the very least be ready to buy it on DVD. You really don't want to miss it.

Rating: 9/10