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Highly Recommended : Sherlock Holmes

    Cast
    Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes.
    Jude Law as Dr. John Watson.
    Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler.
    Eddie Marsan as Inspector Lestrade.
    Mark Strong as Lord Henry Blackwood.

    Directed by Guy Ritchie.

    Music by Hans Zimmer.

    Released on 25th December 2009.
    Released on DVD and Blu-ray/DVD/digital copy combo pack on March 30, 2010.

    Watching a movie on its world premiere is always an event to remember. More so if it happens to be about something you grew up reading. Badass, detective, a man on the verge of insanity, a loner, a man losing his best and probably only friend. Sherlock Holmes is all of the mentioned.


    The environment of the Sherlock Holmes era has been successfully created. 221B Baker Street is faithfully imagined. The entire of the house and the rooms are as you would expect them; Messy and weird. London is dark and gloomy. Factory workers, police, carriages, prisons, everything is done to the detail. The entire movie is a very exciting and pulling-in experience. Music by Hans Zimmer means it is well suited and top of the notch

    Robert Downey Jr. gives a stellar performance, as is expected. This man has been a critical and commercial success. Sherlock Holmes is a man with flaws. Just like us. Robert Downey Jr. plays Holmes to perfection. He was made to play this role (along with Iron Man, of course.) Starting from Holmes eccentricity of experimentation to his fear of losing Watson, he conveys it well. This is a more badder, tougher version of Holmes than ever before. He will fight and do whatever necessary to solve the case. Jude Law plays the ever-dependable and useful Dr. Watson. A Watson that Holmes is depended on. Watson too, has his flaws. Watson’s gambling problems and womanizing habits make him more human. Watson tires to move on and put his crime fighting days behind him and start a married life. But each step of the way, Holmes is the obstacle. Watson is a doctor. A practical man just like Holmes.

    Probably the best thing about the movie is the great chemistry between Holmes and Watson. A lot of emphasis is put on the deeper level of their relationship. Holmes dependency on Watson. Watson’s inability to not get drawn in Holmes cases. Watson is the antidote to Holmes insanity. The only one who quite sees things almost like Holmes does. Whether Watson’s marriage will ruin their friendship remains to be seen, but it has tested their relationship. Holmes and Watson are men of justice. That is what bonds them together.

    The presence of Irene Adler, played by Rachel McAdams, in the movie is controversial.
    Irene Adler is of significant importance in the world of Sherlock Holmes, but whether she was needed in the film is debatable. Holmes does have a respect for her, as she is the only woman to have outwitted him, but there is a difference between respect and love. She mainly serves as love interest to Holmes, but ofcourse you can never keep outwitting Holmes.

    Inspector Lestrade and Scotland Yard are always second to Holmes, like expected. Lestarde is completely useless without Holmes to do all his thinking and even fighting. He does, however, have enough wits to know the importance of Holmes, and trusts him fully.

    Lord Blackwood, the villain, is a character made up for the film. A character that is heavily rooted on magic and supernatural elements, the inverse of Holmes logic and sense. It is a nod to the firm notion through out the books, magic vs logic.

    Guy Ritchie hasn’t had the best times of late. Bad movies, relationship troubles. This movie has marked his return to form. Even thou many will not agree with his directing style in the film, it works and that is all that matters.

    The main surprise factor of the film is one that will please all Holmes fans. Professor Moriarty’s appearance is hinted at. There is buildup to a sequel. We are waiting.

    All in all, the characters are kept very true to they way they were written in the book. Changes have been made here and there to update them to certain degrees, but that is well justified. This is one for the fans and the unfortunate people who do not know who Holmes is.

    This is book adaptation done good.

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