“HOLMES AND WATSON A DEDUCTIVE DUO”
Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, and Eddie Marsan
Directed by: Guy Ritchie
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic material including violence, disturbing images and a scene of suggestive material.
Genre: Action/Adventure, Thriller, Adaptation and Mystery
Release Date: December 2009
By John Delia
Dr. Watson I presume is one phrase that still comes up today, but was coined by Arthur Conan Doyle in his novels about Sherlock Holmes over half a century ago. Guy Ritchie takes Doyle’s books and creates a movie thriller starring a great cast, excellent sets and a very creative storyline for the screen. Easily in my top ten for 2009, the film is a must see.
Ritchie’s film centers on detective Sherlock Holmes (Downey, Jr,) and his partner Dr. Watson (Law) who have finally unraveled a mystery and leads the police to the demonic Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong) killer of 5 young women. Shortly thereafter Lord Blackwood is hanged and the case gets closed. When people start reporting sightings of the dark Lord, Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan) calls upon Holmes and Watson to tie up lose ends.
Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law have the chemistry to make the deductive duo work
on screen. Holmes’ brawn and deductive reasoning go hand in hand with Watson’s wit and brains, and no one does it better than this pair of prime actors. Both Mark Strong as the dastardly villain Lord Blackwood and Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler a cunning jewel thief, provide superb support.
Director Ritchie does a marvelous job of bringing the fast-talking, tough willed and cool psyc detective to the
screen. Instituting imaginative early London sets, costumes and historical happenings of the times, Ritchie paints his pallet with some very evil characters that cause mayhem and death. But his genius is best shown in how he manipulates his stars to give outstanding performances while bringing the famous detective and his case to life. Look for a sequel to this excellent production.
Sherlock Holmes is rated PG-13 for thematic material including violence, disturbing images and a scene of suggestive material.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A highly creative piece of genius Watson! (5 of 5 Palm Trees)