Sherlock Holmes

This is not your grandfather's Sherlock Holmes, but that's not what's going to put people in the seats. Guy Ritchie understands that as he attempts to revamp the series into an action blockbuster.

Holmes is a man of deductive reasoning, so it stands to reason that this may be a movie which blurs the line of suspense/mystery and action blockbuster. But in an age where Michael Bay is allowed to make movies the traits of the blockbuster will always win out.

Ritchie uses the same techniques he has always used in his movies, the quick cuts and intense fight scenes. But in a series like this where most of the audience already have an idea of what Sherlock Holmes is all about, it doesn't really work.

The plot isn't all that important to the enjoyment of the movie. It has secret societies, ritual sacrifices, and the use of black magic. Its all big picture stuff, the five writers who worked on the screenplay don't pay attention to any of the important details in order to keep the audience hooked. Rather they add some details to a couple of the scenes to make Holmes look like a genius later. But the whole movie is so overcrowded with objects to make it look like a period piece, many in the audience just won't be that invested. And this is all just little fluff pieces until they can get back to the ass kicking.

What makes this movie special in any kind of way is the cast. Robert Downey Jr. takes what is given to him and really makes it his own. It becomes enjoyable to watch Downey interact with the world around him. The subtle face tweaks and quirks he adds to a character which seems to have too much brawn is what helped to resurrect his career.

Jude Law is not what you would expect out of a Watson but who cares. Law does better when acting in period pieces anyway, so why not enjoy it. He proves equal to Downey's skill and the interaction between the two is a wonderful bromance with adorable flirtations throughout the movie. Holmes' jealousy of Watson's fiance adds to the tension between the two, as you know its these two that belong together.

Rachel McAdams is hot.

Eddie Marsan also does admirably as the chief investigator for Scotland Yard and also shares some great chemistry with Downey. Mark Strong looks more like an over-sized version of Andy Garcia but doesn't take anything away from the cast. It's too bad you couldn't put this cast into a project with a little more heart, that could really be something.

The franchise has been left open for a sequel as, similar to the Batman series, fans of Sherlock Holmes realize that the hero's greatest adversary, Professor Moriarty, was not the primary villain. But this movie lacks the substance for anyone seeing it opening weekend to suggest it to friends with so many other options during the holiday season. This franchise may just be left on the shelves right next to The Golden Compass. C+