Sherlock Holmes (Guy Ritchie, 2009)

Better than I expected (and at the least I expected was a pretty good film). With the versatile and talented Robert Downey Jr at the helm of what is another remake, you can be assured of a quality performance. But what made this film rise above the multitude other film remakes is something I’ve been thinking about since I first watched it in the cinema.

First of all, there is a decent plot full of twists and constant conflict which keeps the film moving. The film begins with Sherlock and newly-engaged assistant Watson, played by the quite adept Jude Law, catching the serial killer Lord Blackwood, who appears to be some kind of sorcerer. Having warned Holmes before his hanging, Blackwood then mysteriously rises from the grave and continues his mission. The main storyline follows Holmes and Watson as they attempt to unravel this mystery and stop Lord Blackwood before he can target the British Parliament. There is no lack of material in the storyline and the audience is constantly kept in awe of Sherlock’s skills of observation and deduction.

Downey plays the role of Sherlock Holmes very nicely − he is perfectly suited to the role of a quirky yet charming detective. Add this to a strong supporting cast featuring Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong and Hans Matheson, and you’ve got yourself some great characters.

One of the reasons this film works so well is because it combines so many different elements − there really is something for everyone. You have intriguing characters (well, Holmes is at least), plenty of action (whether explosions or fights, such as the highly entertaining scene when Holmes is fighting in the ring), plenty of humour (both from Holmes’ witty dialogue and slapstick moments), a complex romance (between Rachel McAdams’s character Irene Adler and Holmes), not to mention the strong bond between Holmes and Watson who have a close relationship and act like a bickering married couple at times. The film also gives audiences suspense and mystery, and the way Holmes is able to so brilliantly come to instant conclusions is also a bonus appealing to the audience’s love of discovery (such as learning how to fake death). So there are clearly a lot of reasons to like this film. It combines many different strengths into one engaging and amusing tale - a feat I think is not often achieved in films nowadays.

5/5