Sherlock Holmes Reviews

Mi aspettavo molto di meno, soprattutto dalla sceneggiatura che molte recensioni avevano descritto come banale, superficiale o inadatta al personaggio. Invece è l'esatto contrario: ben congeniata, complessa quanto necessario e perfetta per l'interpretazione di Robert Downey Jr. che, se mai ce ne fosse stato bisogno, brilla di bravura. Dà vita a uno Sherlock Holmes mai visto prima d'ora: una geniale carogna. Si tratta senza dubbio di uno dei migliori attori oggi in circolazione. Interessante anche il dottor Watson di Jude Law, che tanta letteratura ha sempre dipinto come il personaggio che serve solo per evitare che Sherlock parli da solo. Bella fotografia: niente di nuovo, probabilmente, ma dà quel tocco goticheggiante e scuro che non è altro che il filtro con cui Holmes vede il mondo. Un grigiore e una noia che scompaiono solo quando appare lei a dare un tocco di colore (alla sua anima e al film).
Convincente il cattivo (che per oltre metà film non riuscivo a non associare a Andy Garcia), buono il ritmo.
A un film che voleva regalare solo due ore di intrattenimento non si può davvero chiedere di più.

I wasn't sure what to make of this film when I first saw the trailer. I was thinking that it was just going to be a film for entertainment. That is exactly what it was but I found the acting from Downey Jr. and Law absolutely brilliant!! This film reminded me a lot of Tim Burton's Sleepy Hollow because it is set in the 1700-1800s; it is set in a dark background, it is a mystery film and Sherlock is a slightly similar kind of character as Ichabod Crane.


Robert Downey Jr. delivers another absolutely awesome performance! His career really is getting back on track again. Sherlock is a typical Robert Downey Jr. character to be honest because he is a rather witty character and is an absolute genius in other ways too. His performance is a lot like Johnny Depp's performance in Sleepy Hollow because as I've said, Ichabod and Holmes are quite similar. I think most people saw it for Robert Downey Jr. more than for its entertainment which is really good! His on-screen partnership with Jude Law was awesome! Law's performance as Dr. Watson was awesome as well. I never really liked Jude Law very much before but after seeing Sherlock Holmes, Cold Mountain and especially Closer, I am starting to really like his films now. This is a new kind of film for him and he did a fine job like Downey Jr. did. Rachel McAdam's performance wasn't as good as I thought it was going to be. I was quite disappointed with her involvement within the film because I felt like she wasn't involved as much as she should've been. Also, I didn't really like her character very much. Mark Strong was a villain who I had mixed feelings for. I mean, he was quite a scary, threatening character but I just don't think they should've "killed him" at the start of the film because Watson not realising that he had no pulse but was still alive was quite silly. It was irrelevant; to be honest, but as the film went on it worked which did please me.


Guy Ritchie tries something new. He usually does modern crime films but this time he did a mystery film set in the 1700s. Sherlock Holmes is still a crime film, though. I mean, if I hadn't read the film details before I watched it, I wouldn't have recognized this as a Guy Ritchie film at all. It was more Holmes than Ritchie which was mostly good because if Ritchie made it like he has done in the past with modern crime films, it would've really failed. I think this would have been a good Tim Burton film if not Richie. I think this because of the similarity between Sleepy Hollow and Sherlock Holmes.


Overall, Sherlock Holmes is a very entertaining film with intense action scenes and good comedy. I find it almost one of the best of 2009. I like Guy Richie even more as I watch more of his films. As for Robert Downey Jr., keep up these great performances!! If they are planning a Sherlock Holmes sequel, I shall look forward to it.

''You've never complained about my methods before.''

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.

Robert Downey Jr.: Sherlock Holmes

I love Robert Downey Jr.; witty, funny and entertaining in his roles he takes on. Unfortunately, his character, though named after the Sherlock Homes invented by Arthur Conan Doyle, has almost nothing in common with his literary ancestor. This film's Holmes is a hyper-kinetic pugilist who excels at swinging hand to hand weaponry/guns/sticks, swan-diving into the Thames from the commons, and leaping about city buildings in a manner reminiscent of Prince of Persia.



Robert Downey Jr. read many Sherlock Holmes stories and watched The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes(1984) by Granada Television (starring Jeremy Brett) in order to learn more about the character. I do believe he should of given it more attention considering the end result.
The hyper-real Victorian London of the film's exterior shots has a very similar CGI feel to it; one amplified when it vividly depicts the Tower of London on the wrong side of the Thames, among other gaffes.
The set for Sherlock Holmes's home in this film was previously used as Sirius Black's home in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix(2007).
Also while filming a fight scene, Robert Maillet accidentally knocked out Robert Downey Jr.

Where is the cerebral intensity in Sherlock Holmes?, Where is the vibrant emotion?; Essential qualities to Holmes as an intelligent gentleman detective are sadly missing. A pipe appears precisely three times (Although this isn't the pipe Holmes smokes in the book), and a cigar but unsmoked. Jude Law's Doctor Watson shows little affection for or understanding of his friend Holmes and their little segments of stage business evoke nothing of the bond and chemistry essential between the two companions.
Other cast members include Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong ( who would of made a better Holmes), and Eddie Marsan.

Having said this; If a steam-punk action-adventure film that's built around three or four elaborate chase sequences appeals, Sherlock Holmes may be a fun way to spend an afternoon.
It's certainly a decent popcorn flick. Although if anyone who knows anything about, or cares very much for, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's immortal character they would be better off staying home and reading the book instead of this satirical screen incarnation.

So Guy Ritchie next time you make a film either cast an English hero for an English literary hero. Mark Strong being relegated to the villain here in itself is a crime, as is Jude Law as Watson. Next time make the sequel to Rocknrolla and leave Sherlock Holmes alone; The damage is extensive enough after this.
This is not elementary my dear Guy Ritchie...more Guy Fawkes abashment, disaster and flames for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle whom is crying in heaven no doubt.