Guy Ritchie’s 2009 version of Sherlock Holmes starring Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law is one of my favorite “modern” films. The banter between the two leads is as enjoyable as the “case” itself. Here is their investigation going terribly wrong.
Tag: Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes – A Game of Shadows (2011) – A Movie Review
This sequel to the previously reviewed 2009 movie “Sherlock Holmes” has actors Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law returning as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson. And Rachel McAdams, Kelly Reilly, Geraldine James and Eddie Marsan also reprise their roles as, respectively, Irene Adler, Mary Watson, Mrs. Hudson and Inspector Lestrade.
The plot of this movie is once again an original story but it does add in elements from one particular Arthur Conan Doyle story namely, the “The Adventure of the Final Problem.” This is the story in which Arthur Conan Doyle arranges the final showdown between Holmes and his nemesis Professor Moriarty. And this story covers what was in the written story but adds much more in the way of motivation for the duel to the death between Holmes and Moriarty. And the writers manage to link the story to the greater reality of this time period. They tie Moriarty’s evil plot to the actual fact that in 1900 Europe is on the precipice of World War. The movie even has Moriarty explicitly chide Holmes with the bitter reality that even if he eliminates Moriarty, it still will not stop the coming war.
I’m happy to say that the dash and humor from the first movie are on clear display in this second film. The camaraderie between Holmes and Watson are undiminished even after Dr. Watson finally marries Mary. In fact, the occasion of the honeymoon provides one of the most comical scenes in the movie with Holmes dressed as a woman attempting to save the newlyweds from imminent death on a train packed with assassins.
I won’t attempt to synopsize the plot. It would sound like nonsense and I refuse to spoil the details of the plot. Suffice it to say that Holmes and Watson traipse across Europe attempting to catch up to the plot that Moriarty has set in motion. And Jared Harris who portrays Professor James Moriarty is a great villain.
As with the preceding movie I have the highest praise for this film. All the principal parts are brilliantly acted. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a well-made entertainment film. And just to add an interesting note, ten years after this movie the producers have finally had the opportunity to film another sequel. I look forward to that movie with great anticipation.
Sherlock Holmes (2009) – A Movie Review
Guy Ritchie directed this 2009 update of the Sherlock Holmes legend but instead of re-doing one of the Arthur Conan Doyle stories he re-imagined the characters and wrote a screenplay that gives a sort of steam punk feel to the outing. Robert Downey Jr. is Holmes and Jude Law is his partner in crime detection and chronicler, Dr. Watson. On the face of it these two men would seem to be completely miscast in these roles. But nothing could be further from the truth. The script combines equal parts comedy and action adventure. And both Downey and Law play the parts as if they were born to the roles. The bickering friendship that they portray is as important a part of the movie as the nefarious doings of the evil Lord Blackwood and the barely glimpsed Professor Moriarty.
The plot involves the resurrection from the dead of a hanged man, Lord Blackwell who engaged in satanic rituals and is linked to a powerful masonic secret society in London. All sorts of strange goings on have baffled Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard and with the sometimes assistance, sometimes sabotage by Holmes’ femme fatale, Irene Adler and the reluctant presence of Watson’s fiancée, Mary Morstan, they pursue the truth behind the unbelievable return from the dead of Lord Blackwell and discover and attempt to foil his devious plot to gain control of the world.
I am a fan of the Sherlock Holmes stories and I’ve watched all the previous cinematic versions, the Basil Rathbone movies and the Jeremy Brett series by Granada Television. I don’t take anything away from these older series but what Guy Ritchie has created is a new and highly entertaining take on the characters. You can probably tell that I am highly enthusiastic about this film and the also excellent sequel. The chemistry that Downey and Law have on the screen is marvelously entertaining and must be a combination of their acting skills and the truly excellent script and direction.
I wholeheartedly recommend this movie to fans of Sherlock Holmes, to action-adventure fans and to movie fans of all stripes. Find it and watch it.
06APR2020 – Quote of the Day
How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains,however improbable, must be the truth?
Sherlock Holmes (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Loading ...05APR2020 – Quote of the Day
You see, but you do not observe. The distinction is clear.
Sherlock Holmes (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Loading ...04APR2020 – Quote of the Day
It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.
Sherlock Holmes (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
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03APR2020 – Quote of the Day
It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.
Sherlock Holmes (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
02APR2020 – Quote of the Day
I consider that a man’s brain originally is like a little empty attic, and you have to stock it with such furniture as you choose. A fool takes in all the lumber of every sort that he comes across, so that the knowledge which might be useful to him gets crowded out, or at best is jumbled up with a lot of other things, so that he has a difficulty in laying his hands on it. Now the skillful workman is very careful indeed as to what he takes into his brain-attic. He will have nothing but the tools which may help him in doing his work, but of these he has a large assortment, and all in the most perfect order. It is a mistake to think that little room has elastic walls and can distend to any extent. Depend uon it – there comes a time when for every addition of knowledge you forget something that you knew before. It is of the highest importance, therefore, not to have useless facts elbowing out the useful ones.
Sherlock Holmes (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
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01APR2020 – Quote of the Day
I think that there are certain crimes which the law cannot touch, and which therefore, to some extent, justify private revenge.
Sherlock Holmes (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Loading ...07MAY2018 – Quote of the Day
Holmes again! Jeremy Brett starred in a BBC series which encompassed a large number of the Holmes canon. The scene I highlight here was memorable so I decided to include this for today’s quote.
“When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of
a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor,
the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has
an interest in preventing his stepdaughter’s marriage, the dying
allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner
heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of
those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its
place, I think that there is good ground to think that the
mystery may be cleared along those lines.”
“But what, then, did the gipsies do?”
“I cannot imagine.”
“I see many objections to any such theory.”
“And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going
to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are
fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of
the devil!”
The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that
our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had
framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar
mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a
black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters,
with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his
hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his
breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face,
seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and
marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other
of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin,
fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old
bird of prey.
“Which of you is Holmes?” asked this apparition.
“My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me,” said my
companion quietly.
“I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran.”
“Indeed, Doctor,” said Holmes blandly. “Pray take a seat.”
“I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I
have traced her. What has she been saying to you?”
“It is a little cold for the time of the year,” said Holmes.
“What has she been saying to you?” screamed the old man
furiously.
“But I have heard that the crocuses promise well,” continued my
companion imperturbably.
“Ha! You put me off, do you?” said our new visitor, taking a step
forward and shaking his hunting-crop. “I know you, you scoundrel!
I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler.”
My friend smiled.
“Holmes, the busybody!”
His smile broadened.
“Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!”
Holmes chuckled heartily. “Your conversation is most
entertaining,” said he. “When you go out close the door, for
there is a decided draught.”
“I will go when I have said my say. Don’t you dare to meddle with
my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her!
I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here.” He stepped
swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with
his huge brown hands.
“See that you keep yourself out of my grip,” he snarled, and
hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the
room.
“He seems a very amiable person,” said Holmes, laughing. “I am
not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him
that my grip was not much more feeble than his own.” As he spoke
he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort,
straightened it out again.
“Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official
detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation,
however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer
from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now,
Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk
down to Doctors’ Commons, where I hope to get some data which may
help us in this matter.”