First I had to admit I’m no Sherlock Holmes buff. I never really read the novels, though my sister had the books lying all around the house. So what my perception of Holmes is, is what most Joe Public know about him, that his a great detective.
Going to this movie I really don’t have that much of high hopes on what I want to see because I don’t really have that much of a back knowledge of what is cannon for the character. So, I tried to enjoy the movie and for what its and what it brings.
Ok, these where the things that runs through my mind when I watched the movie: League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, The Prestige, The Last Samurai and House M.D.
From the opening sequence I was hoping to see Quartermain and the Gang, but I was not a bit least disappointed when I first saw Holmes in action. As I said I love the ‘Last Samurai’ moment where he runs thru his head and gives us the detail on how he will take down an opponent. It really shows us how brilliant Holmes is and what a badass fighter he could be.
The banters between Holmes and his colleague Watson is great, again this reminded me of another show House M.D. I love the show and its wits and its complete disregard of what is sacred. Seeing that House was actually patterned from Holmes so it is not a stretch that they come of as similar characters. Though Holmes is the less obnoxious one but still obnoxious which in turn comes off as funny. I like the camaraderie of Holmes and Watson and how much they know each other, which allows Holmes to manipulate his colleague. Though I tip my hat to Ritchie on making Watson an engaging character as well, though he is not on par with Sherlock Holmes he is never portrayed as somewhat of a ‘dimwit’. Good acting on the part of Jude Law as well on making Dr. Watson a compelling character.
The other actors are good for their parts as well, I love Rachel McAdams, fallen in love with her during the Notebook (Yes guys I’m man enough to admit that I enjoy watching the Notebook), and she is good here on the role as Irene Adler she comes off as smart, sexy and formidable. In short she is believable as Holmes equal. I love the moment towards the end of the film where she calls him by his first name… it was touching and endearing. Mark Strong was a “Strong” villain as well as Lord Blackwood. He was really scary at times I love how they played up the mystical aspect of the character.
So my qualms, well I just felt the movie was too dark, I am not talking about the theme, because a dark theme is good for this movie, but the look of the movie I guess it’s all the grays and darker grays. I think it was suppose to represent London which they say really rains a lot. Which goes to my next ‘nitpick’ English is not my native tongue, American English I understand quite well but when it comes to the thicker British accent I sometimes get lost, I guess my ear is not really quite in tuned with the accent but then again that’s just me nitpicking.
About the mystery of the film I was really hoping for something like ‘the Prestige’ that was a well thought movie with a lot of twists and turns. I was expecting the same kind of experience like that with Sherlock Holmes. I wanted as an audience to have a certain degree of discovery myself and not being spoon-fed (I’m not sure how to expound on that I’m hoping you get the idea).
One more thing by the way I like Holmes theme music, I think that’s a violin (not really musically inclined). It was fun and energetic much like how Robert Downey, Jr. portrayed Sherlock Holmes.
To wrap it up I have to emphasize again I am not much of a Sherlock Holmes enthusiast, but I feel that the movie was quite fun, though some part may feel a bit lacking, though all in all it is for me a good watch.
I recommend that you watch this movie, and see what Tony Stark can be if he was Batman and British!
-ACCESS out. Godspeed and MABUHAY!