Sherlock Lite
There are a lot of interesting things in the latest updating of the Sherlock Holmes film. And it is merely that. An update.
And interesting.
However diverting the character is in the original stories by the Victorian author has been tossed away for chunks of action and fast paced sequences that may be suitable for more action films. But not for something like Sherlock Holmes.
Whatever the result, it isn't bad. I felt that the character of Sherlock Holmes always meant things about high deduction and skillful tapping of information while uncovering a crime. He is an ideal character for smarts. And also the perfect one for using in a big blockbuster winter movie that comes out on Christmas holiday.
But it feels wrong. Sherlock Holmes isn't James Bond. The movie developed by director Guy Ritchie is not a terrible flaw. The director is very skillful of what he does. But he isn't right for the character of Sherlock Holmes. Far from it. If the director wanted to do something involving classy martial arts moves and high volume action, he should have done a kung fu flick with well known fighters in the arts.
Sherlock Holmes is in a world all of his own. He isn't super cool. He is super smart. But I suppose nerds aren't very cool with people. But big tough guys are.
It's far too easy to compare the film to the stories created for the television run which starred Jeremy Brett as the Victorian amateur sleuth for hire. Those stories were highly crafted material meant for the slow uncovering of crimes and marveling at the witty techniques performed by the science of this man who uses logic to explain away many of the wrongdoings.
Not only that, but Brett was an Englishman playing the part of the master detective. Brett did a superb job at the role that the role belongs to him in the 41 stories he's done for Granada Television. Now I do like Robert Downey Jr. very much as an actor and think highly of him in films like Iron Man and Tropic Thunder since he always displayed a wide range of abilities. Again, it feels wrong. Considering Downey Jr. is an American actor.
The film based on Lionel Wigram's story makes for a great departure from the Sherlock Holmes tradition by throwing in huge portions of action. There's a lot of fighting everywhere that it makes you feel like you're turned to the wrong channel of boxing or sports.
It's as if the director is trying to make Sherlock Holmes into an awesome street fighter. But what is awesome about Sherlock is his wits... defining his abilities to solve problems.
Yes, he does that in the film too. I do appreciate the fact that the writers try to bring in the idea of the supernatural to boggle the super logical mind of Sherlock in the film. For a while, he was at the end of his ropes. However, he comes to struggle with the outside forces overseen by one named Lord Blackwood, probably a reference to the supernatural writer Algernon Blackwood.
There are rituals and black arts plenty with several sacrifices to create the so called coming of darkness. This is well done. I've always thought Sherlock Holmes would run into a mind block if he tried to figure out something supernatural. He comes close to it here.
Sherlock Holmes does explain away the supernatural eventually with his science. This is one of the most interesting parts of the film when the use of flashblacks shows how fear can be used to manipulate people.
I like the idea of elements of horror mingling with this Englishness of the atmosphere. Nicely done. The final set piece of the London bridge still being under construction is also a good fit of film making here cleverly using backgrounds for telling a story.
However, there is a greater shadow at work as audiences will learn of the existence of one called Professor Moriarty. His presence remains hidden and always thrives in shadows. I like this as I always see this particular arch-enemy staying in the dark corners, not easily visible. He hired Irene Adler to get close to Sherlock Holmes and uses the current situation for his own advantage. Stealing certain technology while the detectives were distracted.
Where there anything good about the film? There were a lot of score points. Downey Jr.'s performance is a strong one, though I still feel he isn't the right choice for the role.
Jude Law's performance as Watson is right on the button. He is an English actor with immense talent who rises above the occasion to bring some reflections to the role. Law was once seen in an episode alongside with Jeremy Brett in the 1980s series when they were first brought out.
The idea of the supernatural was a pretty good front while the real devious work was at hand. This touch of horror spreads through the stories with a sheer fascination for me as I'm always a long time fan of horror stories. Notions of the dead rising and the devil rituals gives the stories an added dimension that was missing in many of the original Conan Doyle stories.
Did the film work? It is a perfect high budget blockbuster sure to rein in many audiences with its splashy directing and sharp slaps of comedy for light hearted entertainment. Most people will like it because it looks like Sherlock Holmes in a fight club, nothing more. Sherlock Holmes shouldn't be seen as a guy who goes around beating up bullies much like Superman or Batman would do in their streets. This is a character who is entirely different and relies more on his brains.
With enough star power in the film and an ending assuring there will be another one on the way, the reinterpretation of Sherlock Holmes is taking hold now. For the Baker Street Irregulars who are familiar with the original stories, it is possible they may be put off by the brutal fist cuffs now growing more popular in this particular adaptation.
It'll be interesting to see how the story unfolds for the next film. However, for my money, I'll stick with the old shows with Brett about the greatest detective in the world. If I want to see some beating up, I'll turn on the next channel to the Fight Club.
And interesting.
However diverting the character is in the original stories by the Victorian author has been tossed away for chunks of action and fast paced sequences that may be suitable for more action films. But not for something like Sherlock Holmes.
Whatever the result, it isn't bad. I felt that the character of Sherlock Holmes always meant things about high deduction and skillful tapping of information while uncovering a crime. He is an ideal character for smarts. And also the perfect one for using in a big blockbuster winter movie that comes out on Christmas holiday.
But it feels wrong. Sherlock Holmes isn't James Bond. The movie developed by director Guy Ritchie is not a terrible flaw. The director is very skillful of what he does. But he isn't right for the character of Sherlock Holmes. Far from it. If the director wanted to do something involving classy martial arts moves and high volume action, he should have done a kung fu flick with well known fighters in the arts.
Sherlock Holmes is in a world all of his own. He isn't super cool. He is super smart. But I suppose nerds aren't very cool with people. But big tough guys are.
It's far too easy to compare the film to the stories created for the television run which starred Jeremy Brett as the Victorian amateur sleuth for hire. Those stories were highly crafted material meant for the slow uncovering of crimes and marveling at the witty techniques performed by the science of this man who uses logic to explain away many of the wrongdoings.
Not only that, but Brett was an Englishman playing the part of the master detective. Brett did a superb job at the role that the role belongs to him in the 41 stories he's done for Granada Television. Now I do like Robert Downey Jr. very much as an actor and think highly of him in films like Iron Man and Tropic Thunder since he always displayed a wide range of abilities. Again, it feels wrong. Considering Downey Jr. is an American actor.
The film based on Lionel Wigram's story makes for a great departure from the Sherlock Holmes tradition by throwing in huge portions of action. There's a lot of fighting everywhere that it makes you feel like you're turned to the wrong channel of boxing or sports.
It's as if the director is trying to make Sherlock Holmes into an awesome street fighter. But what is awesome about Sherlock is his wits... defining his abilities to solve problems.
Yes, he does that in the film too. I do appreciate the fact that the writers try to bring in the idea of the supernatural to boggle the super logical mind of Sherlock in the film. For a while, he was at the end of his ropes. However, he comes to struggle with the outside forces overseen by one named Lord Blackwood, probably a reference to the supernatural writer Algernon Blackwood.
There are rituals and black arts plenty with several sacrifices to create the so called coming of darkness. This is well done. I've always thought Sherlock Holmes would run into a mind block if he tried to figure out something supernatural. He comes close to it here.
Sherlock Holmes does explain away the supernatural eventually with his science. This is one of the most interesting parts of the film when the use of flashblacks shows how fear can be used to manipulate people.
I like the idea of elements of horror mingling with this Englishness of the atmosphere. Nicely done. The final set piece of the London bridge still being under construction is also a good fit of film making here cleverly using backgrounds for telling a story.
However, there is a greater shadow at work as audiences will learn of the existence of one called Professor Moriarty. His presence remains hidden and always thrives in shadows. I like this as I always see this particular arch-enemy staying in the dark corners, not easily visible. He hired Irene Adler to get close to Sherlock Holmes and uses the current situation for his own advantage. Stealing certain technology while the detectives were distracted.
Where there anything good about the film? There were a lot of score points. Downey Jr.'s performance is a strong one, though I still feel he isn't the right choice for the role.
Jude Law's performance as Watson is right on the button. He is an English actor with immense talent who rises above the occasion to bring some reflections to the role. Law was once seen in an episode alongside with Jeremy Brett in the 1980s series when they were first brought out.
The idea of the supernatural was a pretty good front while the real devious work was at hand. This touch of horror spreads through the stories with a sheer fascination for me as I'm always a long time fan of horror stories. Notions of the dead rising and the devil rituals gives the stories an added dimension that was missing in many of the original Conan Doyle stories.
Did the film work? It is a perfect high budget blockbuster sure to rein in many audiences with its splashy directing and sharp slaps of comedy for light hearted entertainment. Most people will like it because it looks like Sherlock Holmes in a fight club, nothing more. Sherlock Holmes shouldn't be seen as a guy who goes around beating up bullies much like Superman or Batman would do in their streets. This is a character who is entirely different and relies more on his brains.
With enough star power in the film and an ending assuring there will be another one on the way, the reinterpretation of Sherlock Holmes is taking hold now. For the Baker Street Irregulars who are familiar with the original stories, it is possible they may be put off by the brutal fist cuffs now growing more popular in this particular adaptation.
It'll be interesting to see how the story unfolds for the next film. However, for my money, I'll stick with the old shows with Brett about the greatest detective in the world. If I want to see some beating up, I'll turn on the next channel to the Fight Club.
posted by K.M. Paters at 11:48 AM
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