'Holmes' is chock-full of mysterious magic, suspense
Hannah Briesemeister
Issue date: 2/4/10 Section: Entertainment
Being mysterious can be a tricky characteristic to come by. For "Sherlock Holmes," it's no different than breathing air.
The movie was set in old-time London where Holmes, played by Robert Downy Jr., and his trusty associate Watson, played by Jude Law, used their brains and wit to catch some of London's most sought-after criminals.
The film follows the particular case of Lord Blackwood, played by Mark Strong, who plans to use his magic to take over England. After stopping Blackwood from one of his ritual killings, Holmes and Watson send him to jail where he is sentenced to death. Watson himself pronounces Blackwood dead at the hanging. Order is restored in London now that its serial murderer is dead-or so they thought.
In order to keep the movie afloat, Blackwood rises from the dead and the case is reopened. This time, however, it appears Holmes is on his own. Watson wishes to marry Mary Morstan and leaves his life of catching criminals behind. But as any movie watcher knows, big stars like Jude Law just don't stop participating in the action mid-movie.
The action can't resume until Holmes' own love interest appears. Irene Adler, played by Rachel McAdams, is quite the opposite kind of character one would expect going into the film.
She out-smarts Holmes multiple times only to show up months later and play with his heart strings more. Holmes, being the criminal catcher he is, can't seem to catch Adler. She plays the seductive criminal of the film. Holmes' adoration for Adler stops him from turning her in.
After a series of fight scenes, explosions and Watson's near-death experience, Holmes realizes Blackwood has tricks up his sleeves.
The film was entertaining enough to hold the audience's attention, but no one stuck around in the comfy theatre chairs after the almost two and a half hour movie. The fight scenes were a highlight of the film, but not in the way most would assume. The scenes were slowed down and the actions of Holmes and the reactions of his victims were portrayed in slow motion. This allowed the viewer a play-by-play before the scene began again and Holmes won effortlessly every time.
Robert Downy Jr. did an excellent job taking on the life of Holmes. He took his own one time drug addicted, real-life personality and put some of that into Holmes' character. Downy has definitely turned over a new leaf and this film shows his abilities as an actor in a way audiences have never seen before.
The film is rated PG-13 with a running time of 2 hours, 8 minutes.
This film is entertaining to all who watch, whether it's a 19-year-old girl who doesn't know who Sherlock Holmes is or a 50-year-old man who use to read the Holmes novels.
The movies stay in theaters is almost over, but the DVD will be released in late March or early April. Make sure to check it out.
3 out of 5 stars
The movie was set in old-time London where Holmes, played by Robert Downy Jr., and his trusty associate Watson, played by Jude Law, used their brains and wit to catch some of London's most sought-after criminals.
The film follows the particular case of Lord Blackwood, played by Mark Strong, who plans to use his magic to take over England. After stopping Blackwood from one of his ritual killings, Holmes and Watson send him to jail where he is sentenced to death. Watson himself pronounces Blackwood dead at the hanging. Order is restored in London now that its serial murderer is dead-or so they thought.
In order to keep the movie afloat, Blackwood rises from the dead and the case is reopened. This time, however, it appears Holmes is on his own. Watson wishes to marry Mary Morstan and leaves his life of catching criminals behind. But as any movie watcher knows, big stars like Jude Law just don't stop participating in the action mid-movie.
The action can't resume until Holmes' own love interest appears. Irene Adler, played by Rachel McAdams, is quite the opposite kind of character one would expect going into the film.
She out-smarts Holmes multiple times only to show up months later and play with his heart strings more. Holmes, being the criminal catcher he is, can't seem to catch Adler. She plays the seductive criminal of the film. Holmes' adoration for Adler stops him from turning her in.
After a series of fight scenes, explosions and Watson's near-death experience, Holmes realizes Blackwood has tricks up his sleeves.
The film was entertaining enough to hold the audience's attention, but no one stuck around in the comfy theatre chairs after the almost two and a half hour movie. The fight scenes were a highlight of the film, but not in the way most would assume. The scenes were slowed down and the actions of Holmes and the reactions of his victims were portrayed in slow motion. This allowed the viewer a play-by-play before the scene began again and Holmes won effortlessly every time.
Robert Downy Jr. did an excellent job taking on the life of Holmes. He took his own one time drug addicted, real-life personality and put some of that into Holmes' character. Downy has definitely turned over a new leaf and this film shows his abilities as an actor in a way audiences have never seen before.
The film is rated PG-13 with a running time of 2 hours, 8 minutes.
This film is entertaining to all who watch, whether it's a 19-year-old girl who doesn't know who Sherlock Holmes is or a 50-year-old man who use to read the Holmes novels.
The movies stay in theaters is almost over, but the DVD will be released in late March or early April. Make sure to check it out.
3 out of 5 stars
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