Sherlock Holmes (2009)

My expectations were pretty high going into this film, considering the massive hype and excellent cast, and I have to say, I was not in the least bit disappointed. Sherlock Holmes is the tale of London's most brilliant detective and his almost equally as brilliant sidekick Watson. This most recent film in the Holmes saga chronicles Sherlock's inquiry into the actions of a nemesis who seemingly has unworldly dark powers. All things considered, this movie was actually better than I thought it would be, maybe even exceeding expectations. I have always been a fan of Robert Downy, Jr. and I thought that he did a great job in and as Sherlock Holmes. Jude Law, who plays Watson, is equally impressive, and does this character as much justice as anyone ever has. The most remarkable thing about these two is the incredible chemistry that exists between Downy and Law. If they did not work well together, this film would not have worked at all. That said, this duo is good that without both of them, a sequel would be inconceivable. The direction and plot of Sherlock Holmes are also pretty good. There are a lot of cool action scenes and interesting special effects that, unlike most movies, actually add to the enjoyment of the film rather than confuse it. This film also does a good job of incorporating a lot of intrigue and mystery in a way that further engrosses the audience rather than alienating it. One thing that I thought was a little laughable about this film was that it was left so open-ended in terms of a sequel that it made me wonder how anyone could be so sure that a film franchise would be a success. That said, Sherlock Holmes was a good enough movie that I am definitely interested in seeing what happens next. The end of this film was unique to me in a really impressive way. There was a cool fight scene at the end, but it was rather protracted. What I found interesting was that the main climax was Holmes' description of how he had come to solve the crime, and the impressive deductions that led him to the truth. I, personally, found it to be a little different and very enjoyable. My wife and I saw this film together and we both really enjoyed it. I would recommend it to anyone and look forward to watching the sequel. I give Sherlock Holmes 3 and a half stars.