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Sherlock Holmes, Movie

Sherlock Holmes 2009

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Guy Ritchie (Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch) brings some grit and darkness to the London-based super-sleuth's legend, with Robert Downey Jr taking the lead role and Jude Law as sidekick Dr Watson. The clue-sniffing twosome take on a fiendish nemesis, with Holmes getting the chance to show off his boxing and fencing skills along the way. Ritchie says he hopes his take on Holmes will be more true to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's source material than previous slightly camp incarnations.

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Flicks.co.nz Review

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Flicks Writer

Sherlock Holmes holds the world record for most portrayals of any character – ever – in movies and our pop culture has certainly refined his image to near mythical levels: deer-stalker hat, smoking pipe, magnifying glass, emotionally distant demeanor and that infamous cocaine habit. While Guy Ritchie's (Snatch, RocknRolla) new action-hero interpretation seems to buck this trend, a closer look reveals a film that is quite worthy of the Holmesian canon, even if for pure novelty value.

Robert Downey Jr plays the famous consulting detective much like his other famous role: Tony Stark from Iron Man. Jude Law's Dr Watson compliments this; armed with a sword-cane, amazing pistol skills and tendency to interview suspects with his fists. Together they scramble to save London from a dark magician named Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong) who has risen from the grave and set afoot a plan to seize control of England.

Although the film offers up an unsurprisingly paint-by-numbers story, what makes Ritchie's film worthy is its attention to detail. Victorian London has never looked so accurately dirty and literary fans will enjoy the wall-to-wall in-jokes and dialogue lifted directly from Conan Doyle's writing. Ritchie's own brand of humor features prominently, delivered note-perfect by the very charismatic Downey Jr and Law partnership, all bolstered by an unconventionally period-inspired score by Hans Zimmer. There is more to this Bruckheimer-style Sherlock Holmes than meets the eye and if you can forgive action-movie sensibilities then there is much to be enjoyed by Holmes fans and newbies alike.

The People's Reviews

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11 ratings and 11 reviews

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THE AFFAIR OF THE UPDATED DETECTIVE

RexH Flicks Superstar (?)

Just saw this film and LOVED IT! I began reading Sherlock Holmes as a teenager and have never strayed too far from the sleuth's particular fascination. Then there was the excellent BBC (or was it Thames?) television series starring Jeremy Brett and movies like The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes by Billy Wilder - a film not too dissimilar to this latest incarnation. How does this Holmes fare compared to his many other onscreen interpretations? In my view, very well.
Ritchie succeeds in creating an excellent and believable rapport between Holmes and Watson - there's enough character development to define the pair without it getting in the way of the action. Setting the tale at the point of Watson's imminent departure from 221b and his engagement was an interesting decision and worked for me. What didn't work so well was the rather predictable plot. We've seen this theme many times before and the only thing that keeps this one interesting is Ritchie's approach to it.
That and the wonderful evocation of 1890's London - one can almost smell and taste the place. All in all, this was an enjoyable enough romp for me to pay to see it twice. But maybe I'm more of a dedicated Holmes fan than I realised!

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A good old-fashioned ripping yarn!

Mike-Regan A-Lister (?)

Really enjoyed this film - more so than "Avatar" in many ways. Much better pacing and engaging lead characters. The attention to period detail was fantastic - the Brits do this sooo well. Yeah, sure Sherlock Holmes has been done before for years on both the big and little screens, but this is very much a new interpretation and looks to be much closer to Athur Conan-Doyle's original character.
Great entertainment and well worth going to see!

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Sherlockshocker

Gary Nobody (?)

London tuff guy turned softie Guy Ritchie has not made a decent movie since Lock-Stock, which, coincidentally, rhymes with Sherlock, or wot-a-crock. More proof that money, overblown special effects and franchise-driven producers equal mediocrity. The Guy has gone up in smoke.

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Totally liked!

tashnz75 Nobody (?)

Went to see it because reading the reviews on here said it was better than Avatar. I didnt think Avatar was worth the hype so looking forward to this... Totally enjoyed!!! Good mystery, lots of action and I thought Jude Law did a brilliant cover of Dr Watson.

Only negative is I totally didnt believe RDJr as Sherlock, he didnt fit my imaginery perception that childhood has created. All those who arent aware of Sherlock Holmes will be fine with it tho.

Looking forward to the sequel.

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Not impressed

Jennifer Nobody (?)


This mocie was a huge disappointment! The only good things about it were Jude law as Dr. Watson, and the London backgrounds. Before the movie came on, there was a trailer for Clash of the Titans. I found it hard to tell the difference! The things I usually appreciate in a Sherlock Holmes movie are the plot, the deductions, the eccentricities. What I don't appreciate is the action-hero stuff and the interminable violent fights - it just doesn't fit. I shan't hold my bresth for the sequel!

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More than elementary

Marty Nobody (?)

I really enjoyed Guy Ritchie's take on Sherlock Holmes. The topic seems to suit him, and using the deductive thinking of fight scenes with a bit of snazzy camera and video work is lifted nicely from Snatch and placed in here.

It's good to see a big-budget movie tackle Victorian London with aplomb. The half-built Tower Bridge is fantastic, and you get a real feel for what it may have been like to live in that time where Edison and other's technology was knocking at the door and must have seemed a magical step forward.

The acting laurels go to Jude Law for his solid support work. Downey Jr. gets a bit mumbly at times for me - perhaps he dallied in a little of Holmes' favourite chemicals to try some method acting?

On the whole the plot grabs you and the action, mystery and wit all keep you well entertained throughout.

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There is NO MAGIC!

Courtesy Nobody (?)

I saw this recently and thought it was a nice movie with touching action. However, it did end on a rather controversial note, with the case unsolved.

It leaves people cliff-hanging on barely anything.

still, all-the-same, it was an interesting screening.

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Freakin' Awesome!

guy Nobody (?)

Great plot, great action, great characters, great acting, great film!

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Press Reviews

Empire Magazine

A fun, action-packed reintroduction to Conan Doyle's classic characters. Part Two should provide more in the way of scope. Full review.

Hollywood Reporter

Sherlock Holmes goes wrong in many ways except for one -- at the boxoffice. Full review.

Rolling Stone (USA)

Ritchie is all about the whooshing and headbanging, leaving no space between Holmes' words to savor their meaning. Downey is irresistible. The movie, not so much. Full review.

The Times (UK)

Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes is a riot. The director takes on a British institution with a swagger and a wink and the result is boisterous and unabashed fun. Full review.

TV3 (Kate Rodger)

Great cast, plenty going on, and I do love a bit of Guy Ritchie. So I suspect I may have to blame a script that was just trying to be a little too clever for its own good. Full review.

Variety (USA)

Ritchie has never worked on a scale anything approaching this before and, while some of the directorial affectations are distracting, he keeps the action humming. Full review.

ViewAuckland.co.nz (Matt Turner)

Downey Jr. is perfectly cast as Holmes, delivering a quirkily engaging performance and adding several delightful touches throughout. Full review.