Rating of
2.5/4
Sherlock Holmes transforms to Victorian Steampunk
Lenny Manzo - wrote on 01/02/10
If you want a spectacle you’ve come to the right place. The cinematography is breath taking. The special fx are huge and done with taste. The performances are spot on. I would expect nothing less from Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law.
However, there are some things that do not sit well with me. I don’t like the personality flaws that this rendition of Sherlock Holmes has to offer. In between cases Holmes is a man who can’t cope with every day life and must be engaged in a case or he can’t function properly. In reverse Watson is far brighter and tougher than any other that has come down the pike before. The Watson upgrade is fine but, no need to take Holmes down a couple of notches.
I love Holmes for his intelligence, confidence and powers of deduction. It did seem inappropriate to make him dysfunctional. I don’t mind that the 2009 Holmes borders on super hero, as he is a master fighter and enjoys a good brawl. I do mind that he is portrayed as a screw up with immature insecurities.
The plot is a little over blown. It seems they just went to the old James Bond Filing cabinet and pulled out the standard Master Villain Script 21A, evil guy tries to take over the world. Did they have to go that far? Is a murder mystery to simple for our friend in the deerstalker hat?
You may not care about these incidentals if you are looking to get on a roller coaster and snuggle up with your special someone on a Saturday night. If you want the big budget extravaganza with all the bells and whistles this is it. I found the core of this film lacking, mediocre and it is one I could take or leave.
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