Review : Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Wikipedia

Sherlock and his dear friend Watson get embroiled with a dangerous cult in London which has plans to take over the world. So the two join forces along with Irene Adler to save England from catastrophe.....


I got a complete case of Sherlock Holmes book when I was 10. It was gifted to me by my dad. And since that time I am completely captivated and baffled by the mind numbing deduction capacity of this world famous detective, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I never for once felt that it was just fiction, making plans to meet him one day and impressing him with my own deducing. But sadly he was. And I could only read and imagine myself meeting with this great man and his friend Watson drinking wine and accompanying them during one of their macabre adventures. And that imagination was helped a lot when this movie arrived and gave the perfect face to my dear Sherlock and Watson. So I just jumped at the first opportunity to watch this and now having watched this more than 10 times I realize I am in love with Sherlock. Still. And sorry to say also with Irene now. Just to see the perfect characters play the roles I only read and fantasized about makes this one of my favourite book film ever. And a great suspense thriller at that. Nice!!



Guy Ritchie( RockNRolla, Snatch) directs this as beautifully as he has over his sparse career. Some vivid colours and great production values add this magnificent work. Helped along by great camerawork he recreates England of the time when it was the strongest and the more technologically advanced. The suspension bridge was being still tested and horse carriages were the preferred mode of travel. The period look is perfect and Baker Street and Sherlock's house just looks damn good. He extracts good performances out of his actors and crew and makes this one of the most wonderful thriller suspense I've seen in many years. Most enjoyable!!

The perfect Sherlock and Irene!!

Acting by far is the best thing that has happened to the movie. Sometimes you make pictures of your favourite book characters in your head and when it translates into a movie. Theres scope for disappointment. But not here. These roles are just perfect helmed. Damn everyone fits it to the "T". Especially the trio of Robert Downey Jr(Sherlock), Jude Law(Watson) and Rachel Mcadams(Irene). Its just mindblowing work by the three who just work their magic and make us believe that if Sir Arthur had seen it maybe he would approved of them. Sherlock as the goofy but inhumanly brilliant detective with maybe some feelings for Dr Watson just grows on you and Jude Law as his roommate and great friend just aces it. In a small but not so insignificant role is Rachel as the only woman who , to quote Watson "Made a proper idiot" out of Sherlock, TWICE. She exudes carefree and dangerous and vulnerable feeling all at the same time as Sherlock refuses to fall for her. And to support such a wonderful cast is Kelly Reilly(Mary) the girl about to marry Watson. And who could forget Lestrade played by Eddie Marsan. But such a cunning detective needs a much more cunning adversary to make for an engaging battle. And we get Lord Blackwood(Mark Strong) who makes a rather strong impression and strikes fear into our hearts. Although we soon realize he won't be a match for our beloved detective but his theatrics does help in enjoying this movie more. Excellent work!!

Sir Arthur just turned in his grave!!

This movie looks good and has a very good feel thanks to some awesome work by the DOP Phillippe Rousselot(Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Planet Of The Apes). As his huge repotoire suggests he is really that excellent and gives some texture and colour in this movie. Plus some nice music and awesome editing means you get too engrossed to know that its a 2hours and 10 minutes movie. Excellent effects and production value just add to the experience.



HighTension Verdict:  People who grew up reading Sherlock, please watch this. And if you like suspense action thrillers this is pure class. So order or make some popcorn ,sit back and enjoy on your plasmas ASAP. Especially for that one shipyard sequence which is guaranteed to leave you breathless!!


HighTension Meter: 9/10


BEST Quote:

Sherlock Holmes: Why did you drain the bathwater?

Constable Clarkie: Out of common decency, sir.

Sherlock Holmes: Crime is common, logic is rare. The decent thing is to catch the killer, not provide comfort for the corpse.