Sherlock Holmes! - no really bad spoilers

[acanthusleaf]

Saw it today.

I come from the perspective of never having read the novels or even seen the old TV shows. I get that it won't be like the books, and I thought it was pretty clear from the preview what kind of movie it would be. The preview did not lie. Much action, chasing, clever detectoring, sinister occultists, and dashing men in Victorian dress with hats. I love a man in a long coat and a nice hat.

The preview showed a bit of a boxing scene, and that was indeed an entire scene of RDJ being athletic and shirtless. I'll give those of us who appreciate such things a moment.


Whew.

Jude Law was less annoying than usual, perhaps because his character was supposed to be a bit peevish at Holmes. The Plucky Damsel did have a brain, but was still mostly patronized through the entire film. Watson's love interest was a small role, but better written. The whole occult-mystery plot was fairly foolish. The crows were overdone and annoying, but minor. Cool scientific and technical machinery, gadgetry, and weaponry. Not specifically steampunk because all that stuff maybe could have been period (except perhaps for the Fantastic Contraption toward the end and one particular handgun), but visually fascinating anyway. Cool coaches, filth on the streets and on the people but not stupidly overdone. Clever back-and-forth dialogue. Victorian social mores about a man and woman being alone together were completely ignored.

In short, it was overblown as only Hollywood and Guy Ritchie can be, but a good, fun action (not mystery) flick with excellent explosions. If you understand this going in, you will likely enjoy it, and if that's not your thing, you likely won't. Purists about the original stories had better stay away.

Laurie-Bob gives it two thumbs up, and I would see it again in a theater with a larger screen.

Comments

[falzalot.livejournal.com]

I actually didn't get to see it. Darn thing sold out! So I'm going first thing tomorrow morning. :->

But. Where did you go that had a small screen? I thought most places were large now?

[folo1.livejournal.com]

As an old Baker Street Irregular, I just want to mention that Holmes was much more canonical in this than in most of the films--notably the Basil Rathbone travesties. This, in fact, was my favorite Holmes film since Billy Wilder's sly "Private Life of Sherlock Holmes" (whuch is being shown on TCM tonight btw). My big disappointment was that Mycroft made no appearance :(

[acanthusleaf.livejournal.com]

Really! That's good to know. I said that because another friend had characterized the Holmes of the novels as emotionless, and in this version that is definitely not the case.

More books to put on the "eventually I want to read this" list!

[folo1.livejournal.com]

The "emotionless" characterization might be interpretation. I always saw Holmes as pretty subtle and trying to contain himself but with strong undercurrents of emotion (such as a great sense of humor that Watson never quite got. As to whether your friend was reading more into i tan Cnan Doyle planned or whether I am, I dunno. Who knows? He might hve beentrying to provoke interpretations!

[tanssi-orava.livejournal.com]

Even though I have read all the stories I still will want to see it just for the fun of it :-) Holmes was supposed to be very good at the boxing thing.... not martial arts lol!
I liked the tv versions of the stories with Jeremy Brett (filmed in the 80's)
At least I will go into the theater expecting a fun ride and lots of explosions!
.... oh yeah and having the last name of Moriarity, well I have to see it ;-)

[albionwood.livejournal.com]

Actually Holmes did have some Oriental martial-arts skilz: he used some Japanese wrestling move on Moriarity at Reichenbach Falls.

...Yeah, I'm a little bit of a Holmes-geek. Agree re: the Jeremy Brett/Edward Hardwicke series - we watch those over and over!

[j-i-m-r.livejournal.com]

Yes, he was a master of baritsu
a martial art that Doyle made up :-)

[tanssi-orava.livejournal.com]

Ah ha! A made up martial art..... when Albionwood said Holmes used a Japanese wrestling move all I could picture was Holmes grabbing Moriarty by the underwear and tossing him over the cliff :-D

[martianfencer.livejournal.com]

I agree with most of what you said, but I was bothered by the fact that Holmes did not look particularly Victorian.