Sherlock Holmes

Bridget's Review

My husband and I both thought this was one of the best movies we've seen in a long time. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law were meant for these roles. The plot was fantastic and the movie was hilarious. There was no boring pause in it like you find in some movies. I would recommend this DVD to everyone.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Made me want to read the books.

I am a big fan of Downey and he is as good as he always is in this movie. I did expect it to be slightly more funny and less Gothic. (By Gothic I mean in terms of late 19th century Gothic not as some teens are now) All in all I was entertained but it is not a movie I would watch over and over. The HD was good and some of the visuals were awesome in an artistic way. The plot was good if a little far out (but I like sci-fi, so I don't mind reality being stretch a little) I would recommend this movie for any Downey or Jude Law fans as they were great. The script was interesting enough for me to want to read the Sherlock Holmes books, if not just to see how well the movie was adapted from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's imagination.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Highly recommended

Very cool story and love the quirky personalities and attitudes of the cast! Hope there is a second movie!!

Reinvention of Sherlock Holmes

To start off, I bought this movie at the beginning of March 2011. I remember when this movie first came out in theaters and was ranked as one of the "must see" movies playing. If you are a Sherlock Holmes fan or just someone who likes to have fun with solving mysteries, while enjoying some humor between two colleagues, then this movie is something that I recommend you should watch.

The cast and crew who filmed this movie did an outstanding job in reinventing Holmes and Watson for a modern day crowd, while at the same time not losing the questionable elements that made Holmes and Watson such a intriguing pair of friends to follow on various adventures.

This movie is basically a prequel to the introduction of Holmes so called arch-nemesis, Professor Moriarty. Although, you don't get to see any distinguishable features of the "Napoleon of Crime," throughout the movie. It does set Holmes up for a confrontation with the evil Professor, sometime in the undetermined future.

The main villain in this movie is Lord Henry Blackwood, which is played by the actor Mark Strong. Holmes and Watson are first shown rushing off to stop a murder in progress. Which unavoidable leads the two friends on yet another adventure to solve a mystery that if left unchecked, will allow the criminal mastermind to kill everyone in a position of power and take over an entire country.

Quite a few people would like to say that the best qualities of this movie are its fast pace action scenes, referring to the fighting scenes, combined with the humor of Holmes and Watson. While this assessment is true for the most part, one must also take the time to mention how this movie shows a more in-depth look into how Holmes views the world in comparison to a normal person.

In some of the past movies of Sherlock Holmes, the directors and crew weren't able to vividly show the audience an in-depth look into how fast and accurately Holmes mind works when he plots a move from one point to another. But with the increase in technological advancements today, the producers can accurately show an audience a clear, slow motioned picture of how deadly Holmes is when he is either fighting in battle or just quickly piecing together something that puzzles him.

As I stated in the opening paragraph of this review, if you are a fan of mysteries or just want to enjoy the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, then I recommend that you take the time to enjoy this movie.

(Side Note: I don't give any review the maximum amount of stars because of the fact that their is always going to be something that a person doesn't like to happen in a movie, book, audio cd, soundtrack, etc. So if you see any review under my name and their is 1 less star from the maximum amount, then you can basically assume that the review got maximum points in my opinion.)

Laudable. Very, very laudable.

This movie had me hook, line, and sinker. It captures your attention and doesn't let go until ending credits. I found it deliciously action-packed and so very clever. I still cannot quite wrap my head around the wits of this movie. It was just such a fantastic experience to watch is film!

Sherlock Holmes

Awesome show!Everybody should check it out,So comical at times but also actioned-packed and serious.

Reveiw of the Movie Sherlock Holmes

When I first heard about this movie, I was not sure that it would be good. After seeing the movie, I was really impressed with Robert Downey Jr character and the "science" used in the movie to add to the mystery of Sherlock Holmes. The slow motion descriptive parts that Holmes described before he fought someone was really cool. The overall story of the movie was developed very well.(69) The storyine was perfert for the time and London looked realistic as if I was really in London during the late 1800's. The finale was great, with the introduction of Dr. Moriarty throughout the movie was interesting and should lead to a sequal. The violin playing, Holmes Baker St home was fit the origial character perfectly. A great movie to see!

A Perfect Sherlock Holmes Movie!

I've always been quite the Sherlock Holmes fan, and enjoy every opportunity to capture him in different media. Robert Downey Jr does an outstanding job with the part; it is perfect casting. The setting is quite dark, which I think accurately reflects the period. You must add this to your DVD collection!

Watch it, and you won't be disappointed.

This was a fantastic, enjoyable journey alongside two of the bestest friends in literary history.

It is very funny, very exciting, and very enjoyable. I can go on four hours about how great is is, but just go watch it!!!!

In defense of the movie against critics:

Naturally, this remake of Sherlock Holmes is an interpretation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories. However, as a devotee of the books, I firmly believe that the classic "Sherlock Holmes" of the stage and screen who wears a deerstalker and says "elementary, dear Watson" is as much if not more of a interpretation.

And this is how it should be. What works on the page doesn't work on the screen, and therefore it has to be reinterpreted. Additionally, Doyle's conceit that Watson wrote the stories (besides the one written by Holmes) provides the perfect method to rationalize any difference between the original and the new stories; the differences can be attributed to Watson's differing opinions on what information the reader needs, his own interpretation of events, and even his decisions on what is not any of the reader's business to know.

Well worth owning

After you buy some movies, you watch them once or twice and stick them on the shelf. Not this one! You can watch it over and over and see something new every time.
In the fight scenes Sherlock Holmes is shown thinking through the moves to make, and the result of each one, then he executes them in rapid succession. It is really exciting to go back over these scenes, and match the "thought out" actions to the rapidfire movements. Knowing how the movie ends, it is nice to go back and watch Holmes gather his clues.
Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal of the "Guy Richie's Holmes" is excellent. His Holmes is scruffy, distracted, and clearly brilliant. Jude Law is at his best. He plays Watson as part disapproving dandy, part action hero, and always a loyal friend. He is the perfect foil to Robert Downy Jr.'s Holmes.
Sets, costumes and everthing else about the movie is delicious icing on the card. I can't wait for the sequel!

I love Sherlock Holmes

Outstanding performances with a great story line and spectacular special effects make this a perfect night at home at the movies. I highly recommend it!

sherlock holmes

This is the type of movie that one needs to see more than once, it does keep you stimulated mentally, as well as on the edge of your chair, there is no way in this movie that you are able to figure out the who done it.....very well done...this is the first movie i have purchased thru barnes and noble, i have made numerous purchases of books on line and have been extremely happy, the shipping time is fantastic, plus, the discount is really a great perk! I highly recommend anyone to purchase thru barnes and nobles on line, the comfort, ease, and savings is well worth the time

Holmes and Watson As You Always Wished They Could Be

This is the most believable "buddy" movie I've seen in ages--a sort of action movie for the thinking person. Robert Downey, Jr. (Holmes) and Jude Law (Watson) snipe at each other like two brothers who know each other very well. They are perfect complements.

For those who want to see the brilliant Holmes of the old movies and his dithering but loveable companion, Watson, this movie is not going to be to your liking. For those who like neat detective stories with no loose ends, again this is not your cup of tea.

Characters trump plot in this version, and I, for one, am thrilled.

Both Holmes and Law are brilliant in their own ways. Downey's Holmes makes other portrayals pale by comparison: gone is the staid, methodical, arrogant bore whose mind is his only redeeming social value. Downey plays him as a less-than-immaculate scrapper, whose mind informs his personality rather than defines it. His character lives with both feet in different realities: drug-enhanced musings, experiments, mind games, and physical activities, e.g. boxing, which seem to be a blend of the two. His humor tends to be dry and pointed.

Law's good doctor is a crack shot and acts as if he had truly been in the military and had shone in it. He's more grounded in the realities of everyday life, including the enjoyment of the social activities which interaction with other people require, and which Holmes eschews. Watson's mind is quick and his mouth is quicker. The rapid-fire exchanges between Downey and Law evoke laughter and a glimpse into the two-boys' club that you never get in past incarnations of the famous detective and his friend.

Frankly, both my husband and I deem "Sherlock Holmes" one of the best movies we've seen. Period. We tried to find flaws, even reaching into the quality of the sound editing...no luck. We bought the DVD, because the action and dialogue rush by so quickly that we knew we were missing some bits we'd like to revisit often. Since we bought the DVD we've watched it again and again, and we don't tire of it.

Crisp dialogue and endearing/intriquing characters rather than the plot line make this movie a joy to watch time and time again.

The Truest Sherlock Yet

Those who read and adored the stories writen by Doyle will see nothing but perfect imagry and similarities between the Sherlock on paper, and the Sherlock in this film. I've seen a lot of Sherlock Holmes movies, and this does the best job of capturing Holmes' inane psychosis, his need for a case, and his perpetual relationship with Watson. Before seeing this, I was worried it would turn Holmes into an action movie, complete with overdone explosions, idiot female leads, and cliche lines. Imagine my delight when I saw the film in theatres, a living, breathing representation of the Holmes I know and love from literature. And, as far as movies go, it is impressive. The fight scenes are marvelous, the humour and writing are unforgetable. A mindblowing score doesn't hurt anything, either! Perfect for those just entering the world of Sherlock Holmes, or for the old veteran lovers of Sir Doyle's stories.

Robert Downy Jr is an outstanding Holmes, and Jude Law is his perfect partner. I could do without Rachel McAdams, though. Her acting "skills" always fail to impress, and I was dissapointed to see her in a film worthy of much more talented actors.

Also, lovers of House and Holmes - did you know Hugh Laurie's character is based on Holmes himself?

Entertaining

Downey Jr. is a great actor and makes the role fun. However, the plot in question was a bit too complicated and grandiose for a Sherlock Holmes caper brought to the big CGI / Green Room screen. The flashbacks cleverly fill in the holes of the mechanical plot, but while we want to root for the hero, we are introduced to him in the midst of chaos instead of seeing a glimpse, perhaps, of how he came to be such a master detective. I think flaws in characters, seeing early love affairs and pain from childhood help mold a character, and assists the audience in identifying with him on a more personal level. In this flick, you don't get that sort of bonding time... so... 3 stars it is. I didn't connect with Holmes. I somehow knew he'd succeed without any question. It weakened the film. The film could have been twice as wonderful with more of a character study on a budding Holmes, rather than a waning one.

Liked it!

Had to watch it a couple of times to understand everything, but enjoyed it quite a bit. Will purchase the sequel when it comes out.....it looks like there will be another one.

Updated Sherlock Holmes

I am a Sherlock Holmes fan and was delighted when I heard there was going to be a new Sherlock movie. I don't think there has been a good Sherlock since Basil Rathbone. That has been a very long time and those are in black and white. I was not sure about Robert Downey Jr as Holmes but, he was a very good Holmes. I was used to Watson being slow and Dowdy but, Jude Law made a wonderful Watson. The plot was original and it contained a lot of fast paced action. The movie utilized Holmes' wonderful use of disguise. The movie also depicted that wonderful Holmes' humor. The filming and effects were great. I look forward to Robert Downey Jr bringing another Holmes case to life.

A fun ride with another view of who is Sherlock Holmes

I loved this movie.

Sherlock Holmes the famous detective of 221B Baker Street is not the regular genius with Dr. Watson as his following lap-dog. No, in this movie he is a co-dependent neurotic genius, with Dr. Watson his friend, close as brothers. Dr. Watson, smart, independent with a sense of responsibility for the welfare of Holmes, tries to balance life with Holmes and life with his fiancee.

This movie showing the train of thought of Holmes was brilliant, I loved seeing how he came to his conclusions. If ever there was a movie I just enjoyed for the fun of who-done-it this is the one topper. The cheeky dialog and action kept me going through the whole movie.

Great fun, slightly too long.

This is not your literary Sherlock Holmes, and nor should you expect it to be if you find out that Robert Downey Jr. is playing him. He plays the perfect lovable crazy-ass drunk, and I mean that in the best way possible. I love his Tony Stark, and I love his Sherlock Holmes.
Sherlock Holmes was always one of those characters I should have been head-over-heels in love with, but somehow he just never managed to come to life in my head. So just imagine how excited I was to find that not only was the guy who brought Tony Stark to life going to play Holmes but that the movie was being directed by Guy Ritchie, the guy who gave us Snatch.
Ah, but only if he had written it too. From what I've heard, enough people contributed to the script to populate a small country, which might explain why the movie dragged on a fair bit. There weren't any parts I remember as being exceptionally boring, but I couldn't help thinking, Is this movie ever going to end? I think they just tried for too much in what should have been a simple action film.
Overall, I'd say it was highly enjoyable with an excellent performance by Downey and definitely worth watching unless you are a literary purist and hate the thought of an action-hero version of Holmes.

Great teamwork!

Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are perfectly in sync with their respective characters of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. The opening scene gives the audience a perfect insight in how well they work together on a case. The banter is sharp and concise; their physical precision during a fight plays to each others strength and at the same time show the characters are watching each others back.

Downey always seems to do his best work playing damaged characters, of course people have been saying that since the 1980's. His performance of Holmes displays the keen intellect and attention to detail; and then the flip side shows a dark, needy soul. When Holmes is not working he locks himself away in his room, performing dangerous experiments.

Law presents Watson as a man of action, able to handle himself in a fight and ready for the next adventure. Yet Watson is conflict because he wants to settle down and lead a normal life.

I'm ready for the sequel!