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You don’t need to have spent years immersed in English literature to know a thing or two about Sherlock Holmes—the brilliant sleuth who (with the help of his Dr. Watson) solved crimes from his rooms on Baker Street in London. You’ve probably read of his exploits at some time or another. You’ve probably seen him pop up in movies—or TV shows—too. You’ve seen him copied and parodied and quoted repeatedly. But I think it’s safe to say that, no matter how many times you’ve encountered Sherlock Holmes in the past, you’ve never seen him quite as he appears in director Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes.
Three months after aiding in the arrest of serial killer Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong), famed detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey, Jr.) is in a bit of a funk. He hasn’t taken on another case, and his once loyal partner, Dr. Watson (Jude Law), is leaving to get married. It’s a dark time for already moody Holmes—and the only thing that can help is a good mystery. But not just any mystery will do.
Fortunately, though, Lord Blackwood isn’t done with Holmes yet. Before his execution, Blackwood—an allegedly powerful sorcerer—calls Holmes to the prison for a meeting. There, he offers a cryptic warning, predicting three more deaths. And the case only gets stranger when, after the execution, a man reports having seen Blackwood rise out of his grave.
After a different body is found in Blackwood’s grave, Holmes starts putting the pieces together. But he’ll have to do so on his own—unless he can talk Watson into joining the fun.
If you’ve read Arthur Conan Doyle’s Holmes mysteries in the past, you already know that his exploits are often quite elaborately convoluted—and the same can certainly be said about Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes. It’s a fast-paced action film, with quick cuts and even quicker dialogue. The rapid exchanges are often difficult to catch as they go zinging past. It gives the film a frantic feel—because you’ll constantly feel as if you’re one step behind, desperately trying to keep up. The story, too, is incredibly complex—much more than necessary—and that, together with the brisk pace of the dialogue, makes it a film that you won’t completely catch on the first viewing. But, then again, that’s how Ritchie’s films generally go: there’s so much going on that you need to watch them twice before they really start to come together.
Fortunately, though, there’s still plenty to love about this complicated crime thriller—especially its talented cast. Downey’s Holmes isn’t the slightly stuffy old sleuth that you most likely imagined during those long nights of lit class homework. He’s witty and impulsive—and prone to tantrums and fistfights. And without his strong and stable Watson—artfully played by Law—there’s no telling what he’d do. The two have wonderful chemistry—and their constant bickering is immensely entertaining.
Sure, Downey’s Holmes may seem like a stretch—a mix between classic Holmes and one of Ritchie’s usual street-smart tough-guys—but, when you look back, you’ll realize that it actually makes perfect sense. He’s moody and flighty and slightly unhinged—just like Arthur Conan Doyle’s Holmes.
Sherlock Holmes definitely has its flaws: like its excessive complexities, its occasionally underwhelming CGI, and Rachel McAdams’s completely unnecessary role as Irene Adler. But it’s also a wildly entertaining reimagining of a classic character. Like Ritchie’s earlier films, Sherlock Holmes is dark and gritty and complex—and there’s nothing elementary about it—but it’s a whole lot of hard-hitting, fast-paced fun nonetheless.
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