Movie Review: Sherlock Holmes (2009) – Vinko’s Thoughts On…

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My Rating:

This evening thanks to NeonPunch.com I saw the movie premier Sherlock Holmes at JP Theater, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. One of the movies from my Must See Movies list.

If you are a fan of Arthur Conan Doyle‘s Sherlock Holmes novels then you will have been looking forward to this version of the movie for some time. For this movie they casted Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes and Jude Law as Holmes sidekick, Dr. John Watson. The villain this time is Lord Blackwood played by Mark Strong, and the romantic distraction is Irene Adler played by My Name Is Tanino‘s Rachel McAdams.

I feel Downey delivered his typical Tony Stark character, which in my opinion does not fit my imagination of how Sherlock Holmes should be. Given that Holmes is a well known character, it is often hard to satisfy movie goers’ expectations and preconceptions. On the other hand Law’s performance was excellent, he presents a Watson that I expects from the years of reading Sherlock Holmes stories. Having said that the movie was able to keep the audience intrigued by a series of twists and revelations in the plot typical of Holmes stories. The movie ends by revealing the character, professor Moriarty, but comes short of revealing who the actor will be. As fans of Sherlock Holmes will know that Moriarty is the arch nemesis of Holmes, so no doubt if this movie does well in the box office, there will be a sequel.

Aside from the acting, the special effects masters were able to recreate a very believable 19th century London, along with Piccadilly Circus and an unfinished Tower Bridge. Although at times some of the blue screen became apparent in the CGI when mixed with real actors, but having sat so close to the screen I hardly noticed them.

For fans of mystery novels, Sherlock Holmes, Robert Downey Jr. or Jude Law this will be a movie not to miss.