Sherlock Holmes is a movie which was based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s character of the same name. It was directed by Guy Ritchie and stars Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock. The movie does not follow a particular book, but there are many allusions, quotes, and characters from the series of novels written. It starts with Holmes and his companion, Dr. John Watson, who catch a criminal, Lord Blackwood. Lord Blackwood, claimed user of dark magic, had killed five women, and he was to be hanged for his crimes. The general public are all afraid of him and what he could do. Once Blackwood is hanged and Watson declares him dead, Sherlock and Watson deal with their other problems. Watson intends to get married, but Holmes detests the idea of losing his companion, and throughout the movie, he does random attempts to sabotage the relationship. Also, Holme’s only enemy who escaped him, but also the only woman he ever loved, Irene Adler, is back in town and he knows something is coming. His notices that Blackwood was caught too easily, and once a gravedigger sees Blackwood rise from the dead, Holmes starts investigating what might be his biggest case.

I really enjoyed this movie, the actors are all unique and yet blend in together in a comically ironic film. I have only read one or two of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s books (I intend to read more), but I found Robert Downey Jr.’s performance to be sublime. As always, he turned into a generally funny, ironic, and sometimes crazy character. Jude Law (Watson) was also a very good actor. He portrayed a different version of Watson than what is commonly known. I always pictured Watson and Holmes to be polite, and respective to each other, however, in the movie, it is the complete opposite. When they are not fighting bad guys, they are fighting each other. They are more like rivalrous siblings. They have many funny, and pointless, arguments.
I also enjoyed the special effects in the movie, i.e. the recreation of an old London, with dirty muddy streets, and many of the historical buildings there is too see in London now are shown while under construction. I really adored this film, and I could watch it again and again. There is, however, one little detail I didn’t like about this movie (isn’t there always?). Being bilingual, I thought I would not need the subtitles for a scene in French between a huge French bad guy, and Holmes. I understand that Holmes would have an accent while talking in French, and would not really be able to pronounce the sounds properly, however, the giant, supposed to be a Frenchman, had the worst French ever. It made the scene look fake and I was amazed that I actually needed the subtitles for the giant because I couldn’t understand a thing, even when I could comprehend Robert Downey Jr. I have to say, it was a little disappointing detail.

The end of the movie does imply a sequel, and the director had already taught about whether to do a sequel or not. All the main actors agreed to come back for a second round, and the next one is currently in pre-production. Let’s hope it comes out so I can watch it and give it a review!

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Tags: 2009, dr. john watson, jude law, lord blackwood, review, robert downey jr., sherlock holmes, sir arthur conan doyle