Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Director:

Guy Ritchie

Writers (WGA):

Michael Robert Johnson (screenplay) and
Anthony Peckham (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

25 December 2009 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

Nothing Escapes Him

Plot:

Detective Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England.

Plot Keywords:

Sherlock Holmes | Handcuffed To Bedpost | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Robert Downey Jr.	...	Sherlock Holmes
Jude Law	...	Dr. John Watson
Rachel McAdams	...	Irene Adler
Mark Strong	...	Lord Blackwood
Eddie Marsan	...	Inspector Lestrade
Robert Maillet	...	Dredger
Geraldine James	...	Mrs. Hudson
Kelly Reilly	...	Mary Morstan
William Houston	...	Constable Clark
Hans Matheson	...	Lord Coward
James Fox	...	Sir Thomas
William Hope	...	Ambassador Standish
Clive Russell	...	Captain Tanner
Oran Gurel	...	Reordan
David Garrick	...	McMurdo

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some startling images and a scene of suggestive material.

Runtime:

128 min

Country:

UK | Australia | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:PG-13 (certificate #45714) | UK:12A | Ireland:12A | South Korea:12 | Finland:K-13 | Australia:M | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Brompton Cemetery, Fulham Road, West Brompton, London, England, UK

Company:

Lin Pictures

Trivia:

The song that plays from 1:03 to the end on the second trailer is a piece called "Unstoppable" by the group E.S. Posthumus (specifically 1:47 to the end on the track).

Quotes:

[from trailer]
Sherlock Holmes: You've never complained about my methods before.
Dr. John Watson: I've never complained! When have I ever complained about you practicing the violin at three in the morning, or your mess? Your general lack of hygiene or the fact that you steal my clothes?

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Angela and Friends: (#1.29)" (2009)

Refreshing to a fresh eye...

As you can tell from the first review, you probably have to be a big reader or fanboy/girl of Sherlock Holmes in order to be displeased. I was pleased almost the whole way through this movie without caring much about character. Still, even though Sherlock Holmes sometimes was a bit too 'ambiguously gay' and had an annoying modern-like personality, he continued to be funny, strange, and as intelligent as I thought Sherlock should be. Jude Law did a good job as well as others on the cast.

I loved the plot. It was obvious to me at times how the story would unravel, but then it hits you again in the end. It was a subtle hit, however. Anyways, my favorite part of the story was mainly the broad scheme of things and the people involved. Sherlock goes deep enough into the world of conspiracy to keep me interested.

My only gripe with this movie is sometimes the humor. A lot of the 'humor' came out during conversations. People would laugh at the wittiness spewed by the main characters, and it just felt too much like a modern sitcom. Today, American society and culture is infected with internet memes, battles of quick wit, and straight-faced jokes that provoke a lame laughter from me (one not deeply felt.) You could compare what I am saying to the dialogue in 'The Big Bang Theory.' Hollywood could maybe tone down a bit on dry and clever jokes, especially when they poke out during unnecessary times.

In conclusion, I enjoyed this movie enough to rate it an 8 out of 10, and although I did complain more than I gave praise, I just didn't want to give away all of the good parts. Go see this movie. It's fresh, isn't based in America, and doesn't trail off there either. There are twists, excellent action scenes, lots of fun moments, sweet investigation, and some analogous material better discussed in a forum of theorists.