The movie begins with Holmes and Watson breaking into a sacrificial ceremony. Instead of sneaking in and apprehending the mastermind while the police deal with the riff-raff, this duo battles the henchmen hand-to-hand on their way to the villain. Jaw-dropping slow motion fight sequences with a running Holmes monologue, explaining how the sleuth uses his mind to fight his battles before lifting a finger, make the fights entertaining and surprisingly informative. Once the villainous Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong; "RocknRolla") is supposedly brought to justice, a deeper mystery unfolds. The plot involves using the dark arts to overthrow the British empire of the mid-to-late 19th century. To stop this nefarious plan, Holmes and Watson must use all their brainpower and muscle (along with some helpful allies) to expose and stop the crime, hopefully in the nick of time.
Ritchie's England is as much a character in the film as the actors. A gritty elegance is given to the Great Britain of the master detective's time. Every background is truly alive, whether setting the scene before a word is uttered or as a potential hiding place for weapons of necessity. The director makes "Sherlock Holmes" his most accessible film yet, permitting general audiences to enjoy themselves and get wrapped up in the mystery without suffering through gore or profanity. The film does not dumb itself down for mass consumption but rewards its viewers for paying attention by revealing Holmes's internal logic.
The relationships in the story are as important as unraveling the mystery itself. Holmes and Watson are a well-oiled machine with the internal friction which comes from working together for too long. Holmes is a difficult person who is bored by the mundane and everyday but thrills to adventure and intrigue. The thought of losing Watson to wedded bliss is painful to his partner and housemate. He, therefore, subtly tempts Watson with clue after clue to keep him around. There is a fondness between the men but the occasional friction keeps their relationship interesting. The romantic interest, Irene Adler, is an intelligent criminal that has proven Holmes' equal in the past. The sexual tension between Downey Jr. and McAdams is palpable on-screen. McAdams proves herself to be capable of performing with the best actors in the business.
Downey Jr.'s pitch-perfect characterization of Holmes pays credence to prior performances while breaking the proverbial mold. He is the center of the movie and helps give the picture its very soul. While Holmes diehards may find this new version too fast-paced and brutal, for the casual viewer and the newcomer "Sherlock Holmes" is the start of an absolutely brilliant new series.
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some startling images and a scene of suggestive material.
