Sherlock Holmes [DVD]

--Crew--
Guy Ritchie...Director

--Cast--
Robert Downey, Jr as Sherlock Holmes
Jude Law as Dr. John Watson
Mark Strong as Lord Henry Blackwood
Rachel McAdams as  Irene Adler


--Review--

Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) absorbs his environment. He makes notes of the smallest details. He is a detective, taking in clues that most of us wouldn't consider. He is also a skilled fighter. He can deflect attacks and calculate the number of movements necessary to defeat his opponent. To Holmes, life is a game, abundant with mystery and waiting for someone to solve it.

Downey plays Holmes with a lot of character quirks. Holmes is constantly looking around himself, eying things from the corner of his eyes. He's speaks quickly and almost always seem to be in over his head. He is curious about the criminal mind and likes a good chase. He also likes alcohol and anything that keeps him from being sober. Conan Doyle would be proud.

Dr. Watson is here too, played by a mustached Jude Law, acts as Holmes' foil. Watson is humored by Holmes, they are friends reliable to each other. Where Holmes might execute subtly, Watson is abrupt and straight to the point. Their personalities compliments each other the way real friends do. They like each other.

Holmes is on task to stop the resurrected Lord Henry Blackwood (Mark Strong) from a plot to take over the British government. There are several twists in the story and the expectations of the audience will be played with. In the backdrop of an industrial London, can magic really exist?

The plot isn't as interesting as the characters. There is a clear villain in Blackwood but the real joy of watching the picture is for Downey's amazing performance. The plot is serviceable but the picture straddles the line of an origin story with teasers for a true “Sherlock Holmes” picture. The elements for a sequel is well placed throughout the picture. Sherlock Holmes is waiting for a real nemesis.

Holmes' love interest Irene Addler is played by Rachel McAdams who is far too young for the role. When Holmes and Addler are in scenes together their age difference isn't noticeable. But it's difficult to ignore McAdams age when the rest of a cast consist of people in their forties. McAdams does well as Addler, but she doesn't feel necessary. She feels like a miscast actress for a character that shouldn't be part of the story at all. She doesn't detract from the picture but she doesn't add to it either. Are my comments for Addler or McAdams? I will let you decide.

“Sherlock Holmes” is a movie worth seeing. It isn't filled with the best of things but plays out very well. It's an action film with mystery elements. Downey and director Guy Ritchie play with the preconceived ideas of Holmes and does away with them. It's Sherlock Holmes reinvented for a modern film audience.

It's good. It's brief and I'd like to see more.