Movie Review: "Sherlock Holmes"

[jpskewedthrone]

So, I just got back from the movie Sherlock Holmes . . . and it was a GREAT movie! I knew going into the movie that it was not going to be "true to the books" in any sense, but I have to say that it certainly had the same spirit of the books.

And that's what was so great about the movie: spirit. Both Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law played their roles with great spirit and good humor and just the right touch of seriousness. So while they did have their little spats and their own personal stories throughout the movie, those stories didn't subsume the main plot. I'd say that everything was extremely well balanced: personal stories along with main plot, as well as the larger plot. There weren't so many twists and turns that you got completely lost. You could follow everything and they explained nearly everything that dealt with the explanation of how the "crime" was committed. I only say "nearly" because there were a few handwaving moments when they didn't explain exactly how things worked . . . but I wouldn't say that was a problem. They explained exactly what they needed to in the detail they needed to. Any deeper explanation would have amounted to a science lecture and that's not what you go to the movies for.

And here's the thing: there weren't any movie tropes here. Oh, sure, good guys win in the end and such, but unlike Avatar I couldn't guess where things were going in the plot sense. So I was riveted to the pillow screen and kept involved during the whole movie. There were no slow points.

And the best recommendation I can give the movie is that at the end, I REALLY REALLY wanted to go immediately to the next movie. And there will definitely be a next movie, simply because I WILL IT! But just in case, I highly suggest that EVERYONE go out to see this movie.

And bring your pillow.

PS--Thanks to Joshua B for the last minute gift of some spare tickets!

Comments

[catwithclaws.livejournal.com]

good assessment of the movie! I really rather enjoyed it too, having read Sherlock Holmes when I was younger a lot as well as seen a number of BBC versions.

I *did* like that there were a few times in the movie when I went 'What ARE they going to do NEXT?' because I had no clue where they were going to take it. I enjoy that :D

ps. Rumors of Brad Pitt as Moriarity in the next movie, although it might just be wishful dreaming on the fandom part.

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

I've heard those rumors about Brad Pitt. Could be interesting. I wonder if they'd need a smaller pillow or a larger one?

[alebodden11.livejournal.com]

Awesome! I saw the movie yesterday and I loved it! Of course, there are always 'down' parts when you compare it to the books. But all in all I think the movie was amazing as well. And, like you, I am so waiting for the next one! :-)

Nice review :-D

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I think as long as you go into the movie NOT expecting it to be exactly like the books, you'll be fine with it. Otherwise you might have some problems.

[barbarienne.livejournal.com]

"Pillow"?

(I mean, sure, shirtless and scruffy Robert Downey made me want to hop in bed, but I'm not sure if that's where you're going with that...)

Hee, I posted my review a little after yours, and it's very similar! I walked out of that film very happy and bouncy. VERVE, baby, it's got verve!

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

The last pillow remark was an in joke for those that went with me last night. I brought my own pillow and used it as a prop when I showed up at the theater. Just for the sight gag.

[(Anonymous)]

Thank you for explaining the pillow reference. You had me wondering...

[wolfette]

ummm - loved the movie, but I'm afraid the plot was quite transparent to me all the way through.

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

In the sense that everything was couched in "magic" and yet there was a scientific explanation for everything, yes, I agree the plot was transparent. (Bad guy faked his death, Sherlock exposes it, etc.) But from scene to scene I couldn't predict what was coming next, unlike Avatar, where I basically said, "And now they'll go do this with this character, and after that they'll come back to this and do that to advance the plot," etc.

WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!

[lagilman]

I REALLY REALLY wanted to go immediately to the next movie.

Yes. That. And why is it not out on DVD yet? *bounces*

I've read the negative reviews and the grumblings and I can't say they're entirely wrong (this is not the "traditional" Homes and the plot was a bit unbelievable...) but they put it together well and used everything they had, and gave me a feelgood good time for my money. I really don't ask for anything more from a holiday-release movie (if I want to be depressed or thoughtful, I stay home and read the news).

As for the plot-grumblings: yeah, the names were OMG Obvious and B. was way Evil Mastermind in the worst Bond tradition, but I totally bought M. as being interested in new-developed tech for the sheer "what can I do with this?" aspect of it, and they had me wondering how they were going to dismantle the entire woo-woo trappings because this WAS Holmes after all....

And I didn't even mind their overuse of Herself, because it actually did add something to the characterizations a well as giving us a strong front-line female character in a movie that otherwise would not have one due to Actual Society at the time.

Oh, and for those griping about the 'action hero" aspects? A) go back and read some of the original stories and b) check out the classic personality of the hyper-edge genius. The need for physical stimulus is a perfectly normal and oft-documented side effect of the brain going 1000 miles an hour. Hell, just look at a bored 6 year old of any mental stage....

Re: WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

The "dismantle the entire woo-woo trappings" thing is what always drew me to Sherlock Holmes. They didn't explain everything precisely, but the handwaving they did in some spots was acceptable for me.

And I also bought M's potential interest in new science.

[jongibbs.livejournal.com]

I liked the trailer, though I suspect we need to try look at this as a movie with a smart detective called Sherlock Holmes in it, rather than a Sherlock Holmes movie, if you know what I mean :)

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

I agree. If you go with that mentality, it's a great movie.

[music-lover3.livejournal.com]

I have not read the books, but I absolutely loved the movie! I can't wait for the next one, because with that kind of an ending, they have to have a next one! And I will definitely be watching out for the DVD for this one. It was really good. :)

[capnflynn.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the review! My husband and I really enjoyed the movie too--fun and full of surprises, and not as dumb and explode-y as the trailers would have you believe.

I was skeptical going in

[elizabeth-welsh.livejournal.com]

I was very skeptical going in. I'll even admit I wouldn't have gone, had it not been by SIL's pick for a birthday flick. I loved the books, and have read them so many times that I can break down the character flaws of each of the main characters. Like any true fan, those are endearments to me in their own quirky way. So that said, I saw the trailer with the pillow part and was thinking, well now there's a twist. Sherlock and his absolute refusal to become emotionally entangled (or sexually) with women anyway. After watching that trailer, I told my husband that as I'd already spotted six contradictions, I couldn't imagine it would be worth the ticket cost.

So there I found myself at the movies reluctantly. Right off the bat I was annoyed that Sherlock had not yet met Mary when she'd actually been a client. And I whispered to my husband that Watson seemed less human without the leg injury that would forever keep him from being an action hero. But I loved his medical criticism of Holmes, which was exactly in character. I also loved the sideways compliment that sounds more like an insult from Holmes to Watson. And the opening mental explanation in the fight scene followed by the real, full-speed execution definitely had me intrigued. By the time we were midway, my eyes were glued to the screen. And even questions from the little genius, which I answered sotto voce, did not draw my eyes down. Speaking of the little genius, I was pretty impressed with my six-year-old for following all the science. He had asked about the green sparks and from then on was enraptured. Two days later, he was still breaking down the pieces of science. I've held off getting him a chemistry set, thinking it smart to wait until I trust him more with flames, but I can see that's going to need revisited. I have now been asked the colors created by nearly every element on the periodic table (when introduced to flame) and sadly, I don't know them all -- only about half (and of course which should never meet flame in the hands of any but an expert).

Like you, Joshua, I'm eagerly anticipating the next one. And there will be one. They set it up well. The cost of making the movie has already been reached and exceeded at the box office. I hope Brad Pitt isn't chosen for Moriarity. There are others that could do greater justice to the role, playing that debonair yet intelligently slimey personna we all love to hate and yet hate to see the end of.