Ever since we watched that crappy Bollywood trash 3 Idiots the other day, we’ve been dying for some relief from the acid reflux brought on by that garbage.
Casting eager glances hither and thither, we desperately sought solace.
Eureka, we found our nirvana in Sherlock Holmes.
Frenetic & Humorous
If you loved British director Guy Ritchie’s frenetic paced, humor laced movies like Snatch or Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, you’re more than likely to relish his latest movie Sherlock Holmes.
Even if you are not a Guy Ritchie fan, you’ll still savor Sherlock Holmes if, like us, you are a Robert Downey aficionado.
Since we love Guy ‘Ex-Mr.Madonna‘ Ritchie plus Robert Doweney plus Arthur Conan Doyle’s legendary fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, the new movie found much favor with us and removed the bitter after-taste of the trashy 3 Idiots.
After a long time, we found a full house for a movie (Munich was likely the last full-house movie we watched) on Friday evening.
Maybe, it was the holiday. Maybe, it was the $6 super bargain matinee rate. Maybe, it was the mostly favorable reviews for the movie.
Or maybe it was all of the above.
Whatever be the reason, we found ourself, to no little annoyance, in the first row. 🙁
Typical Ritchie Fare
Sherlock Holmes is typical Guy Ritchie fare – fast and furious violent action with crisp and witty dialogs brought to a boil by a first class actor like Robert Downey, Jr.
Set in 19th century London, the movie brings both Sherlock Holmes and his dedicated sidekick Dr.Watson to life in the most amusing manner possible.
We can’t recollect seeing any other Sherlock Holmes movies but surely never did the ace detective and his partner light up the screen with so much brio and verve as they do in this one.
Throw in a pair of pretty girls and soon you’re rubbing your eyes and wondering, in a good-natured way in this instance, what in the heck is happening here.
Sherlock Holmes is a movie where all have done their parts well – Robert Downey, who plays the renowned detective; Jude Law, cast as Dr.Watson; Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler, Holmes’ love interest and occasional opponent; Mark Strong as the principal villain Lord Blackwood; Philippe Rousselot for the cinematography; and, of course, director Guy Ritchie
Downey’s Finest Hour?
But the star of the show is undoubtedly Robert Downey.
One of the finest, albeit star-crossed, actors of this generation, Downey brings a ferocious energy and velocity (ever on the move and intensely agitated if not, our man) to his character.
Whether in his banters with his partner Dr.Watson, jousting with his girl Irene or battling the villainous Lord Blackwood, Robert Downey’s Sherlock Holmes is unlikely to be surpassed for a long time, if ever.
If you need just one reason to watch Sherlock Holmes, it’s Robert Downey.
[God, we’re high. Admitted, this Saturday evening our preprandial drink was more than what we normally allow ourselves. Hey, even completely sloshed we’re more sober than all ye schmucks. 😉 So, be certain that it’s SI and not Bacchus speaking.]
Pitted against Sherlock Holmes in the movie is the sinister Lord Blackwood, who seemingly rises from the grave, to the fear of all London except, of course, our consummate detective.
With only his legendary wits and peerless deductive skills and his loyal partner Dr.Watson on our brilliant detective’s side, Sherlock Holmes is the story of how the eponymous hero ultimately outwits the satanist Blackwood who’s now playing a big stakes game that threatens to ‘create a new future.’
“We will remake the world, create the future,” threatens the evil Blackwood, adding a warning to what he perceives as a civil-war weakened America.
Filmed mostly in grayish hues, the photography of 19th century London, carriages, slushy streets and all is superb.
And the action scenes very well executed.
The two major fight scenes, the first one in the shipyard and the second hundreds of feet high in the air toward the end, are both a delight to watch.
Folks, go for it.
Your $10 or wateva (depending on the show and the theatre) is money well spent.
Sherlock Holmes is a paisa vasool movie, as the stupid folks back home would say.
In wide release across the U.S., Sherlock Holmes is most certainly playing in a theatre near you.
Now, if you’ll excuse us our drink awaits us.
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About 16-17 years back, Doordarshan used to air Sherlock Holmes serials on Sundays.
Recently, I watched a few of them (on DVD).
Having read Sherlock Holmes short stories many times over, I found the teleserials OK, and very true to detail, but somehow felt that the character of Holmes wasnt brought to life by the actor. Now I am waiting for this one, and having watched Downey Jr in Iron Man, I am more eager.
I once read that Arthur Conan Doyle tried to apply his methods of deduction in practice and failed miserably.
Coming to detective stories, I dont know why, but I would like to read them (esply Holmes and Poirot) rather than watch them.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Most definitely worth watching on the big screen if and when the movie releases in India.
This movie is Sherlock Holmes in action. All other Sherlock Holmes is mere theory. No hyperbole here.
BTW, we’ve watched Iron Man too, on DVD.
2. As an aside and since you hail from Mysore, you might be interested to know that Arthur Conan Doyle’s widow came to Mysore and was the guest of the late Maharaja (most likely Kanteerava Narasimharaja Wadiyar), who presented her with some trinkets.
Interesting thoughts on the reinvention of the Holmes genre by Guy Ritchie. The key conflict I’m looking forward is the styles of Downey and the underrated Mark Strong. Not to mention Rachel McAdams 😉
Looking forward to watching Holmes in action this week.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Don’t get us wrong.
Mark Strong and Rachel McAdams (loved her in Notebook) were good too.
But their ‘misfortune’ was to work alongside Robert Downey. Our man puts them and other co-stars completely in the shade. Plus, he’s got a bigger/better role too.
I checked the promos and stills of this film in the Prasad’s Multiplex,when I went there to watch 2012.
I hope these unnecessary Bandhs get stopped by the time this film releases here. 🙂
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You’ll most likely enjoy Sherlock Holmes.
Just finished watching a lovely French film Au revoir, les enfants. (U.S. readers, it’s on Netflix Instant Play).
Sherlock Holmes releasing in India on 8th January.
Will be a nice relief for people after watching 3 Idiots.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You writing: Will be a nice relief for people after watching 3 Idiots.
Anything (activity or even non-activity) is a relief after that crappy 3 Idiots.
I was wondering where I saw the trailer of this movie, when sganesh’s comment struck me – I saw it at the same multiplex, during the same movie 😉
Btw, I’m a huge fan of Robert Downey Jr. too, absolutely loved him in Iron Man. And ofcourse, goes without saying that I love Holmes and Dr. Watson; so can’t wait to see the movie… God knows when it’s gonna release here.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: Btw, I’m a huge fan of Robert Downey Jr. too, absolutely loved him
You and two billion other girls. 😉
2. Amitshetty mentioned it’s releasing on Jan 8 in India.
nagarahaavu star vishnuvardhan dies today
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Thanks for the alert.
We were unaware of it until we saw your comment.
Kannada film industry is much the poorer today.
Here’s SearchIndia.com’s tribute to Vishnuvardhan.
Watched Sherlock Holmes last nite, loved it!! Loved the dialogue, the humour was dry! Cant wait for the second part
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: Watched Sherlock Holmes last nite,
In the cinema theatre or home theatre? 😉
ha ha ha, yeah i know we are known for our pirated DVDs 😛 but decided to head to the cinema this time
love the line from the first scene….ability to spit at the back of someone’s head…neutralised
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Yeah, Sherlock Holmes is for the big screen.
can you give the review of 1408 movie?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Which version?
Netflix has two: Theatrical and Unrated. Apparently, they have different endings.
the one which released in 2007 starring john cusack and directed by michael hofsman,check in wikipedia?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
OK.
sorry directed by Mikael Håfström
@guruprasad: “I once read that Arthur Conan Doyle tried to apply his methods of deduction in practice and failed miserably.”
Not quite so, in my opinion.
All sherlock holmes collections carry an introduction passage for the author Doyle, which states that “He personally championed two cases of injustice, using his own detective work to prove the men innocent of the crimes for which they were convicted.”
It can be seen in this article in detail.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Conan_Doyle#Miscarriages_of_justice
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We’ll let Guruprasad pick up the gauntlet on this one.
The recent comments widget always helps to continue a discussion on a older articles like this 🙂 That’s a good feature for SearchIndia.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Plus there are so many, many plugins that we feel we’ve only scratched the surface of WP’s capabilities.
For All SI Readers:
If you think there’s a plugin you’d like to see on the SI blog, there’s no need to feel shy about suggestions. 😉
“And ofcourse, goes without saying that I love Holmes and Dr. Watson; so can’t wait to see the movie”
But adaptations of a fictional characters don’t go well with the people always, since people develop a character, apply colors, behaviors, mannerisms, in their own mind while reading about it. And what we see in a film is a director’s view on how the character was developed in his mind. After that if we read further stories of the same character, what we saw in the film stands front. So it is sometimes disappointing that the film character (/ story) does not satisfy the readers.
For the same reason, I heard that, Idea of making Kalki’s Ponniyin selvan [Story of Raja raja chola] was dropped by Director Mani ratnam & writer Sujatha.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
This one is different.
Guy Ritchie has put Sherlock Holmes on steroids. 😉
🙂
There was no gauntlet intended. Just an information which may help one to revisit opinions.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: Just an information which may help one to revisit opinions.
Revise, you actually mean. 😉
Nope. Just “revisit”.
@Guruprasad,
Don’t get carried away with naughty SI’s fueling attempts 😉
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Haven’t heard from Guruprasad in two days.
Maybe, he’s too busy bisi-bele-bathing to worry about mundane things like commenting. 😉
Watched Sherlock Holmes yesterday. Though direction is good story is so so. Overall an entertaining movie. Have you seen Clerks movie. It’s very good.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
No, haven’t seen Clerks.
Seems like an interesting film.
Sundance and Cannes award winner….will definitely watch this indie.
can you give the review of the movie “cast away”,from the team one yours and mine favourite movie “forrest gump”,actor tom hanks and director robert zemeckis
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Will watch for sure.
Clerks introduced one of my most favorite characters:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silent_Bob
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Will watch Clerks later this month.
Just finished The Line (Andy Garcia, Ray Liota). Not good.
Sherlock Holmes is just amazing. Watched the remaining 35 minutes of the movie today.
Yes, Robert Downey was awesome. No words to describe his wonderful performance. I never enjoyed any Hollywood movie as much as this one. Fast paced and funny with a lot of witty dialogs. Sherlock Holmes will remain one of my most favourite movies.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Liked Sherlock Holmes better than Iron Man.