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'Sherlock Holmes' is a good movie.

Dec 25, 2009#1

edzepp

I saw it just now. Don't let the trailers fool you into thinking this is just another generic action film that just happens to bear the name of the famed detective. It's a Sherlock Holmes movie through and through. (Less beat-em-up, more deducing) I recommend it highly. Robert Downey Jr does not disappoint. (But you knew that)

Dec 25, 2009#2

Dave

edzepp said:
I saw it just now. Don't let the trailers fool you into thinking this is just another generic action film that just happens to bear the name of the famed detective. It's a Sherlock Holmes movie through and through. (Less beat-em-up, more deducing) I recommend it highly. Robert Downey Jr does not disappoint. (But you knew that)

Dec 25, 2009#3

SpecialKO

It's actually odd to me how many reviewers, like it or hate it, are jumping on the "why couldn't it be more like the books like older material" bandwagon.

Seriously, didn't these people ever read the books?

I can respect someone preferring the Basil Rathbone interpretation. That's cool, I get that. Or someone just not liking the action-movie-stylings of Guy Ritchie. Totally understandable, makes sense.

But the number of reviewers saying that Holmes wasn't a fighter (or claiming that Watson was an ineffective bumbler) "in the books" is truly face-palm worthy.

Dec 25, 2009#4

@Li3n

What i want to know is, does he use cocaine while bad mouthing the use of opium?!

Dec 25, 2009#5

Cajungal

Dave;320847][quote=edzepp said:
I saw it just now. Don't let the trailers fool you into thinking this is just another generic action film that just happens to bear the name of the famed detective. It's a Sherlock Holmes movie through and through. (Less beat-em-up, more deducing) I recommend it highly. Robert Downey Jr does not disappoint. (But you knew that)

What people don't realize is that this version is closer to the actual written Holmes. The others are the re-imaginings, not this one. Kinda like the 007 movies were at first the way that they were written and then turned into suave super-spy stuff instead of political assassin.

I can't wait to see this![/QUOTE]

That's what it looked like to me. Not that I've seen many Sherlock re-imaginings... but it seems like Watson is often portrayed as kind of a fat dummy when he wasn't that at all. Now, I haven't read that much either... but was there a woman for Holmes in the picture? Did that EVER happen in a book?

Dec 25, 2009#6

filmfanatic

Cajungal;320879][quote=Dave;320847][quote=edzepp said:
I saw it just now. Don't let the trailers fool you into thinking this is just another generic action film that just happens to bear the name of the famed detective. It's a Sherlock Holmes movie through and through. (Less beat-em-up, more deducing) I recommend it highly. Robert Downey Jr does not disappoint. (But you knew that)

Dec 25, 2009#7

twitchmoss

Poor watson.

Dec 25, 2009#8

@Li3n

filmfanatic said:
Irene Adler appeared in a few of the books. She was something of an intellectual challenge to Holmes, who was irritated enough to simply refer to her as "The Woman".

As i recall in the original books she only appeared once in a short story...

Dec 25, 2009#9

Philosopher B.

The following is spoiler free - As a huge Holmes fan, I have to say that was one rollicking, awesome experience. Seriously, go see this movie. See it twice, because I want Ritchie to make half a dozen sequels.

The issue some people seem to have with Holmes being in an 'action film' as it has derisively been called by some is unfounded and rubbish. Yes, there is quite a lot of action to be had, but it is not at the expense of the character himself. What this movie did was take a side of Holmes from the stories - the side that could send a man away on a cart while he himself but sustained a black eye - and magnified it, put him in a situation in which he would have to use such physical adeptness in order to survive. And not only that, but through the action, we were able to glimpse the minute workings of his mind as he planned out his moves, like a chess-master. Seeing it in slow-mo and then in realtime was especially effective, I thought.

Downey is absolutely awesome at playing quick-witted one moment and scruffy and befuddled the next, convincingly going from hyper-observant to crawling about awkwardly in the sunlight after having been cooped up for 3 months without a case.

Watson was straight from the books. Unlike what the Rathbone pictures and other media popularized, Watson wasn't a baffoonish idiot. He was Holmes' best friend, a man he could depend on to pick up a revolver and give chase through back alleys in a pinch. Sometimes I thought Watson seemed a tad TOO sharp, but as someone who saw the movie with me pointed out, by acting slow at times Holmes was but leading his friend on, teaching him, encouraging him to use his own powers of observation. These sort of dynamics and the general banter between Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr. - who have excellent chemisry together, by the way - are what really propel the film, and it is this heart of the movie that makes the action worthwhile, not the other way around.

I was also highly appreciative of the point in time in which they chose to show the relationship between Holmes and Watson. It is a time far after they met and have already been on a great many adventures, when Watson wants to move on with his marriage but, as Holmes tells him in the movie, he doesn't quite want to let go of the macabre. He will still pick up the gun that his colleague deliberately leaves behind, just as Holmes knows he will. I do not know if I have seen a better Watson.

I liked little things like the mention of Mycroft Holmes. It surprised me when Holmes said 'The game is afoot'. I thought they would avoid that quote, originally from The Adventure of the Abbey Grange and later popularized by subsequent adaptations; however, at least that was from an actual story. Thankfully, they avoided 'elementary, dear Watson', which never actually appeared in a story (though there was a similar quote). I liked when Watson got on Holmes while in jail about how much Holmes withholds, something which has long been lobbed at the Holmes stories as a major criticism. I also enjoyed all the references to Watson's notes he took on the cases, something which is often glossed over in adaptations. That was how the stories were to have come to light. And interestingly, in the original stories, Holmes often chided Watson on the fantasic manner in which he presented some of the cases, something which lends some credence to the liberties taken in the movie, as they were always supposed to be presented in a popular fashion.

One of the principal liberties they took of course involved the character of Irene Adler, who appeared in but a single story. It was never a sexual thing between them, at least not on the surface. Holmes was primarily concerned with the fact that she was an intellectual equal, having outsmarted him in the story in which she appeared. That said, I didn't think her part detracted anything from the fun to be had in the film.

The music was fantastic. Hans Zimmer did an excellent enough job that I intend to purchase the soundtrack in the near future. The overall mood of the film was very nice. London has never been grungier.

Some parts WERE a little James Bond-ish, such as the big-man-versus-little-man fights and the climax, but this movie kicks the panties off of any Bond movie I've ever seen (though I haven't seen the Daniel Craig outings). So yeah, this ain't your grandpappy's Holmes, but it doesn't need to be. All 56 short stories and 4 novels are still there to read (and I've read 'em quite a few times by now). This is just another look (and a fresh one) at the Holmes character, one which I must say I thoroughly enjoyed.

I really, really hope this movie does well. One could do worse than have a few more outings with Downey and Law on the trail.

Dec 25, 2009#10

edzepp

@Li3n said:
What i want to know is, does he use cocaine while bad mouthing the use of opium?!

It doesn't pop up.

Dec 26, 2009#11

@Li3n

edzepp;320955][quote=@Li3n said:
What i want to know is, does he use cocaine while bad mouthing the use of opium?!

It doesn't pop up.[/QUOTE]

THEN IT WASN'T ACCURATE ENOUGH.... NERD RAGE!!

Dec 26, 2009#12

edzepp

He does drink medication for eye infections at one point though.

Dec 27, 2009#13

Hailey Knight

The music was fantastic. Hans Zimmer did an excellent enough job that I intend to purchase the soundtrack in the near future. The overall mood of the film was very nice. London has never been grungier.

Wow. Hans Zimmer? I couldn't tell, which is really saying something, because I can usually tell. He sometimes has an unfortunate blend he gets stuck in. The score for this was great, with a modern type of percussion to the strings that reminded me more of a guitar even though you could tell it was on a violin. It was very effective moving things along.

I agree with every said in this thread; it's a good movie and I hope they make another.

Dec 27, 2009#14

TwoBit

They better make another one.

Dec 27, 2009#15

V.Bond

TwoBit said:
They better make another one.

I agree.

And if Guy Ritchie would direct the next installment as well, that would be phenomenal.

Dec 27, 2009#16

CynicismKills

I loved this movie. It was entertaining and engaging, and Downey/Law were a great pairing. Definitely hope to see another Holmes movie in the future.

Dec 27, 2009#17

Alucard

Going to see the film tomorrow afternoon and shall let you know what my opinion of it is.
From the trailers and tidbits I've seen it looks rather well done.

Correct me if I'm mistaken but isn't this movie based off an adaption of a Sherlock Holmes comic and not of the famed Conan Doyle detective?

Dec 28, 2009#18

sixpackshaker

edzepp said:
He does drink medication for eye infections at one point though.

Not quite, it was a serious narcotic.

There are also other empty medicine bottles laying empty.

Dec 28, 2009#19

@Li3n

sixpackshaker;321425][QUOTE=edzepp said:
He does drink medication for eye infections at one point though.

Not quite, it was a serious narcotic.

There are also other empty medicine bottles laying empty.

[/QUOTE]

Cocaine was used in Coca Cola and children's medicine at the start of the 20th century, so i figured its something like that.

And if Guy Ritchie would direct the next instalment as well, that would be phenomenal.

So it's true... the divorce worked... we're seeing good films from him again.

Dec 28, 2009#20

Tinwhistler

plus it's implied that he got high as a kite when he was re-creating the magical ritual

Jan 12, 2010#21

Shegokigo

Scared the crap out of the GF during this film:

I screamed MORIARTY!!!! really loud the very SECOND they showed the "Shadow Man" while practically leaping out of my seat

She wasn't exactly expecting that.

Jan 12, 2010#22

Frankie Williamson

Did the person immediately behind, to the right, to the left or in front of you punch you in the head?

Jan 12, 2010#23

Shegokigo

Any real fan of Sherlock Homes would have known right away, any non-fan would have no idea what I meant. So yeah, no.

Jan 12, 2010#24

The Lovely Boehner

Well, you were still screaming out in the middle of a movie theater as if it were your living room.

Unless you stole the movie, and if that's so, then carry on

Jan 12, 2010#25

Chibibar

Shegokigo said:
Scared the crap out of the GF during this film:

I screamed MORIARTY!!!! really loud the very SECOND they showed the "Shadow Man" while practically leaping out of my seat

She wasn't exactly expecting that.

My wife and I both kinda "scream" at the same time when we saw that

I DO hope they make another movie.

Jan 12, 2010#26

fade

Now let's hold on a second....Doyle DID decay Watson a lot over the run of the books. He started out as a competent fighter, but near the end, he was getting close to the older movie interpretation.

Jan 13, 2010#27

zero

Good movie. The end confused me a bit though.

Was there a sewer chase from the Houses of the Parliament to Bridge Tower??? It's been a while since I've been to London, but I seem to remember it was quite a walk...

Jan 13, 2010#28

Shegokigo

zero said:
Good movie. The end confused me a bit though.

Was there a sewer chase from the Houses of the Parliament to Bridge Tower??? It's been a while since I've been to London, but I seem to remember it was quite a walk...

Jan 13, 2010#29

zero

Shegokigo said:

Since there's absolutely no sane way to continue this discussion under spoiler tags, check PM.

Jan 13, 2010#30

AshburnerX

@Li3n said:
Cocaine was used in Coca Cola and children's medicine at the start of the 20th century, so i figured its something like that.

No, it wasn't. That was an urban legend. They called it Coca Cola because of the color of the drink and the original bottles, which were short and fat like Coca Beans.

Jan 13, 2010#31

Frankie Williamson

AshburnerX;328468][QUOTE=@Li3n said:
Cocaine was used in Coca Cola and children's medicine at the start of the 20th century, so i figured its something like that.

No, it wasn't. That was an urban legend. They called it Coca Cola because of the color of the drink and the original bottles, which were short and fat like Coca Beans.[/QUOTE]

Yes it did! The name of the drink came from the cola nut and the coca plant.

Jan 13, 2010#32

edzepp

By the way, how good is the music in this movie? It's SO good.

Jan 13, 2010#33

Tinwhistler

Frankie;328474][QUOTE=AshburnerX;328468][QUOTE=@Li3n said:
Cocaine was used in Coca Cola and children's medicine at the start of the 20th century, so i figured its something like that.

Jan 13, 2010#34

Hailey Knight

My dad just bought us a 4-movie collection of the Basil Rathbone stuff. Never seen any of it before.

Jan 13, 2010#35

drawn_inward

Eh, I thought the direction was extremely sub-par. Ritchie wasn't the right choice, IMO. Acting was good, the story was good, but the direction was weak. Left it being just an okay movie for me.

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