For those who might remember Basil Rathbone’s iconic Sherlock Holmes-forget it! Robert Downey Jr. is a much more fun version of the classic sleuth. He is serious about crime-solving, without taking himself too seriously. With Jude Law as Dr. Watson-certainly more partner than sidekick-this Sherlock Holmes makes a great holiday movie.
I’ve never read the Sherlock Holmes stories of Arthur Conan Doyle, so I don’t know how faithful this tale is to any of the originals. I’m guessing not very, since Doyle’s only screen-writing credit is for the creation of the characters of Holmes and Watson. The movie is fast-paced and fun. The stunts and special effects are not so overdone as to seem impossible. The characters are more caricature than not, but it doesn’t matter. This is more in the action-adventure genre than classic cerebral detective story.
With the popularity of this movie (currently #2 at the box office), I’m guessing that a sequel is in the works. I will gladly see it, and recommend this movie to anyone looking for some fun.
The Complete Sherlock Holmes: All 4 Novels and 56 Short Stories
La Bibliofille 