Monday, December 28, 2009

Sherlock Holmes...Old story, new look.




"The game is afoot" or should I say movie? This Christmas, Hollywood gave us the present of Sherlock Holmes, staring Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, and Rachel McAdams. This movie is a  fast paced, high action adventure that never slows down. With some humorous banter between Holmes and Watson and the unquestionable good looks of Holmes this movie would seem to have it all...

When first hearing that there was going to be a new Sherlock Holmes movie, I was ecstatic. Then when I saw the trailer I became a little wary of what they had done to the Holmes character. There have been so many adaptions of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, but this one is by far the most edgy and loose interpretation. This is no suave and methodical Holmes, playing the violin in thoughtful silence. Instead he is more brawn then brains; from beating up villains with fists and sticks to wearing nothing but his pantaloons while participating in a boxing match.

- Here are some comparisons between the new Sherlock Holmes and the original.
                                                                                            
  New Version- Robert Downey Jr.


   Original Version- Basil Rathbone



The movie is set during Victorian England but has all the action, explosions, and crazy plots of today. The action never stops and can be a bit overwhelming at times. Besides the action, the plot is also intense, but that is better then no plot at all. The scene sets are very well done, the only complaint I have about them is that at times, I felt as if their clothes did not always flow with the time period.

Overall it is really a good movie, as long as you look at it with an open mind. If I compare the original and new version, I prefer the Sherlock Holmes played by Basil Rathbone in every way possible. Yet if I view this movie as if it's the first Sherlock Holmes movie I have ever seen and let it stand completely alone, it becomes a good movie.

Hopefully the rumored sequel will be more true to the original...even if just a bit.

4 comments:

BurtonReview said...

I remember tghe old Sherlock Holmes as well.. and would never have pictured him with his shirt off, let alone doing whatever he is doing in the photo above in bed!
Yet, the smoldering looks of Downey, and the comical nature of the movie has me intrigued.

I am definitely surprised they are talking SEQUEL already though.. seems a bit premature, but what do I know?

Lana said...

I'm a bit wary of the Sherlock Holmes movie. When I first saw a trailer, I was convinced that it was actually Jude Law who was going to be Sherlock... and I really don't care for Robert Downey, jr. That said, I'll probably give it a try. It's been way too long since there was a Sherlock Holmes movie!

Maria Grazia said...

You are right, not very credible as a Victorian story, but such a good movie! Btw, I've just discovered your blog, nice one! I've become a follower. Let's see how much we share... Meanwhile, I wish you a great 2010!

Svea Love said...

Thank you Maria, and a very Happy New Year to you too!