Sherlock Holmes 2009

      This film is based on a screen story written by Lionel Wigram and Michael Robert Johnson.  The characters are based on the novels written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  The vibe is incredibly stylish, wonderfully balanced & thoroughly entertaining.  Guy Ritchie's on-screen adaptation of one of literature's greatest creations is a smooth blend of kinetic direction, deft writing & solid performances.  This change in style may not go down well with the die-hard fans of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?   Nevertheless, it succeeds as an impressive movie of its year that manages to get many things right, if not all things.

     This film stars Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law and Rachel McAdams.  It presents an earthier, brawnier and glossier version of the story than most of us are used to watching.  Because of this different style of filming, it will be very much liked by teens.  It is gritty, the setting is the late1800s.  London is the movie's backdrop and there's no shortage of action.  There are brutal, slow-motion fist fight scenes, most with blood, broken bones and gun play plus big explosions.  There are also some fairly gory crime scenes including shots of dead bodies, one with a few wriggling maggots!!  A brief scene of a naked man except for a strategically placed pillow. Holmes is handcuffed to a bed, there are references to the dark rituals of occult secret societies, smoking and drinking.  There is very little swearing, a lot of wise cracking and the movie ultimately celebrates Holmes and Watson's close friendship.  5* I REALLY liked this movie!!  

Note:  Imdb 7.6* out of 10* with 584,631 reviews, Roger Ebert 3*, Rotten Tomatoes 69% with 247 critic reviews 77% with 250,000+ audience scores, Common Sense Media S. Jhoanna Robledo, 3* out of 5*, age 14+, 1* language, 2* positive role models, 3* sex, drinking, drugs & smoking, 4* violence, The Guardian 2* out of * Catherine Shoard, Letterboxd 3.4* out of 5* with 223 fans.

128 min, Action directed by Guy Ritchie and written by Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham, Simon Kinberg, Lionel Wigram with Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan Robert, Maillet, Geraldine James, Kelly Reilly, William Houston, Hans Matheson, James, Fox, William Hope, Clive Russell, Oran Gurel, David Garrick, Ky Discala, Andrew Brooke. 
 

Special Note:  Watson's line to Holmes, "You know that what you're drinking is for eye surgery?" It  is an obscure reference to Holmes' cocaine usage.  At this time, cocaine was used as a topical anesthetic for eye surgery.  In the novels, Holmes injects cocaine.  Robert Maillet in the role of Dredger, accidentally knocked out Robert Downey Jr. while filming a fight scene!!  After examining Lord Blackwood's coffin, the line that Holmes and Watson deliver in unison, "The game's afoot; follow your spirit: and upon this charge, cry--God for Harry! England and Saint George!" is from William Shakespeare’s play Henry V.
     
Note:  Imdb 7.6* out of 10* with 584,631 reviews, Roger Ebert 3*, Rotten Tomatoes 69% with 247 critic reviews 77% with 250,000+ audience scores, Common Sense Media S. Jhoanna Robledo, 3* out of 5*, age 14+, 1* language, 2* positive role models, 3* sex, drinking, drugs & smoking, 4* violence, The Guardian 2* out of * Catherine Shoard, Letterboxd 3.4* out of 5* with 223 fans.