olivia_sutton (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
olivia_sutton) wrote2009-12-27 06:56 pm
olivia_sutton) wrote2009-12-27 06:56 pm
Entry tags:
Jeremy Brett is still the World's BEST Sherlock Holmes, but new film is fun
Movie Review Sherlock Holmes
Starring
Robert Downey, Jr. as Holmes
Jude Law as Watson
I enjoyed the new Sherlock Holmes movie with Robert Downey, Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Watson. Jeremy Brett is still the WORLD'S BEST SHERLOCK HOLMES EVER! But, this movie was pure fun, and Jude Law really steals the show as Watson.
Downey plays Holmes, at least physically, as almost a "bum" or "tramp" - he's almost never clean and doesn't dress in proper Victorian clothes at all (no frock coats - darn!). However, Holmes IS a man of action, able to defend himself, and also an excellent boxer, all of which is canon from the books (and portrayed a bit more accurately in Brett's series for Granada/ITV).
What's REALLY impressive is Watson. Watson's understated humor is perfect, and an excellent foil for the more serious and mercurial Holmes, as it should be.
The plot brings back Irene Adler, tho' it's a mystery who she's really working for until the very end of the film (Holmes fans will not be surprised, however). More mysterious is why none of the actors pronounce her name correctly, including the actress playing her. (It's pronounced, "I-reen-AH", despite the spelling). The character of Irene Adler, becomes more like a Catwoman-type to Holmes (as Batman). It other words, even though she's bad, and a criminal, Holmes is attracted to her. There's also a hint that Holmes is attracted to Watson (slash fans will LOVE this film), tho' Watson doesn't return that type of affection.
The plot is more supernatural, and could fit in easily to the "weird" era of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional creation (particularly "The Devil's Foot"). Basically, Holmes catches a killer who's murdering women in weird rituals. The man is hanged - but the trouble really starts when he "comes back from the dead", to commit additional murders, cause trouble, and, oh, yeah, blow-up (or at least poison) Parliament. (However, the scene does take place in the House of Lords, not the House of Commons. Normally, tho' "Parliament" includes both houses, it's used to refer to the House of Commons, since they are the ones who actually pass the laws.) You'd think that the Lords would agree with the bad guy of the film (who's kinda' one of those stereotypical "I'm going to take over and tell you what to do because it's good for you"-types. Yep, Lord Blackwood isn't very original, but Marc Strong (sp?) does a good job playing him - nice and chilling at times, he's just not that original in his ultimate desires. I did love Holmes' showdown with him tho'. That was awesome!
Jude Law, as I mentioned before really steals the film. His understated humor adds a lot to the film. He and Holmes had an interesting relationship, without the co-dependency often seen between the two. As stated before, Holmes even seems to be attracted to Watson, tho' Watson doesn't reciprocate (in fact, Watson's desire to marry Mary is a rather important sub-plot of the film).
Surprisingly, the cast does manage to speak in the correct British accents, for the most part.
Overall, a fun, enjoyable film, I recommend it.
--Olivia Sutton
Starring
Robert Downey, Jr. as Holmes
Jude Law as Watson
I enjoyed the new Sherlock Holmes movie with Robert Downey, Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Watson. Jeremy Brett is still the WORLD'S BEST SHERLOCK HOLMES EVER! But, this movie was pure fun, and Jude Law really steals the show as Watson.
Downey plays Holmes, at least physically, as almost a "bum" or "tramp" - he's almost never clean and doesn't dress in proper Victorian clothes at all (no frock coats - darn!). However, Holmes IS a man of action, able to defend himself, and also an excellent boxer, all of which is canon from the books (and portrayed a bit more accurately in Brett's series for Granada/ITV).
What's REALLY impressive is Watson. Watson's understated humor is perfect, and an excellent foil for the more serious and mercurial Holmes, as it should be.
The plot brings back Irene Adler, tho' it's a mystery who she's really working for until the very end of the film (Holmes fans will not be surprised, however). More mysterious is why none of the actors pronounce her name correctly, including the actress playing her. (It's pronounced, "I-reen-AH", despite the spelling). The character of Irene Adler, becomes more like a Catwoman-type to Holmes (as Batman). It other words, even though she's bad, and a criminal, Holmes is attracted to her. There's also a hint that Holmes is attracted to Watson (slash fans will LOVE this film), tho' Watson doesn't return that type of affection.
The plot is more supernatural, and could fit in easily to the "weird" era of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's fictional creation (particularly "The Devil's Foot"). Basically, Holmes catches a killer who's murdering women in weird rituals. The man is hanged - but the trouble really starts when he "comes back from the dead", to commit additional murders, cause trouble, and, oh, yeah, blow-up (or at least poison) Parliament. (However, the scene does take place in the House of Lords, not the House of Commons. Normally, tho' "Parliament" includes both houses, it's used to refer to the House of Commons, since they are the ones who actually pass the laws.) You'd think that the Lords would agree with the bad guy of the film (who's kinda' one of those stereotypical "I'm going to take over and tell you what to do because it's good for you"-types. Yep, Lord Blackwood isn't very original, but Marc Strong (sp?) does a good job playing him - nice and chilling at times, he's just not that original in his ultimate desires. I did love Holmes' showdown with him tho'. That was awesome!
Jude Law, as I mentioned before really steals the film. His understated humor adds a lot to the film. He and Holmes had an interesting relationship, without the co-dependency often seen between the two. As stated before, Holmes even seems to be attracted to Watson, tho' Watson doesn't reciprocate (in fact, Watson's desire to marry Mary is a rather important sub-plot of the film).
Surprisingly, the cast does manage to speak in the correct British accents, for the most part.
Overall, a fun, enjoyable film, I recommend it.
--Olivia Sutton