Sherlock Holmes

When I read that Robert Downey, Jr. had been cast to play Tony Stark in Iron Man, I was surprised.  He was the one actor I least imagined to play the comic book character.  When I saw Iron Man, however, I was completely surprised at how well-fitting a role it was for him, how good a performance he gave.  So, when I read that this same actor would be playing arguably the greatest fictional detective of all time, I was again surprised, not imagining him at all in the role.  And when I finally saw this film, I was once again completely surprised at his performance.  The film is none other than last year's Sherlock Holmes.

The film starts with the master detective and his equally legendary partner, Dr. Watson, stopping a serial killer from committing another murder, and who is promptly executed.  When it looks like the same killer is back from the dead and killing again, however, Holmes and a reluctant Watson are on the case.  Add in an elusive woman from Holmes' past, a unknown and sinister individual, a secret organization involved in sorcery and a conspiracy of national proportions, and you have a mystery only one man could possibly solve.

The most obvious thing about Sherlock Holmes is that from the beginning, it is unlike every other production done about the master detective.  In Robert Downey, Jr.'s performance, Holmes is quirky, offbeat, eccentric, but no less a keen observer and a brilliant detective.  Jude Law delivers as Dr. Watson, who seeks to move on from his work as the sidekick of the world's greatest detective.  Together, Downey and Law work well together, making a good team in the roles of the legendary characters.  Rachel McAdams, in the role of Irene Adler, is sexy and alluring in her performance (I will admit I have a soft spot for Rachel McAdams and regard her as sexy and alluring already, but it doesn't matter since this is my review and I'm writing it the way I want!) and Mark Strong is convincing as the film's villain, Lord Blackwell.

Guy Ritchie, the film's director, presents the story in a way that's truly original, as offbeat and quirky as Holmes himself, not at all confusing when showing the conclusions Holmes reaches, and sets up the ending of the film nicely for a sequel.  Filled with mystery, suspense, action and plenty of lighthearted moments, Sherlock Holmes is certainly worth the price of admission.  I give it three (of four) stars.