Here's a bad movie. Like, in don't see it. And if you have, and you liked it, so be it, we can still be friends.
Boys will be boys, and Guy Ritchie, the director, likes to dig into their fantasies. So he put together something identified as "Sherlock Holmes", for the cool set. Boys of about 11 to 16, add a couple of dozen years or so. Watched it on Netflix. Was on the "long wait" list for a very long wait.
I get fooled by hype. Still. How bad can just one more Sherlock Holmes movie be? Especially one starring Robert Downey, Jr. as Holmes, and Jude Law as Watson. Hee, hee. Very. Because first of all, this one seems to be based on a lost manuscript by Dan Brown, which I'll just call, "Demons and Holmes". The one that never got published, but it's obvious who and what inspired this script. I think that Brown should get a token of appreciation, if not a kick-back.
Next, lets examine performance. Downey seems too pleased finding himself cast as Holmes. It's as if he's really playing House, playing Holmes. Which, sucker that I am, would probably pay to see. Hugh Laurie, as House as Holmes. And just an aside..Downey's aging rather quickly, something's catching up to him! I think he's talented, but his elocution got lost in the sauce in this one. All over the English map, and next time, sub-titles, please.
And of course Holmes falls for Jude Law. The movie tries to deny it. Law is sort of almost like a person as Watson. Lots of fisticuffs and special effects divert them, and it's just right for the teenagers watching. Me, I'm hopeless, always looking for a plot!! Maybe in the sequel.
Villain comes back from the dead, too much eyeliner, thought this was more Drac trash. Irene Adler is a saucy dish...she'll have to return..but will Holmes really care? On the plus side..really gorgeous to look at, set design, extravagant London. Just turn off the sound, watch the action for a while, take a nap.
