Sherlock Holmes Review

In 2009 Guy Ritchie writer and director of huge blockbuster films such as “Rock n Rolla”, “Snatch” and “Lock, Stock and two smoking barrels” unleashed another big hit when under the works of Warner Bros. released “Sherlock Holmes”. In its opening weekend the film managed to rake in a whopping $62.3 million and overall an astounding gross of $209,019,489 with an estimated budget of $90,000,000!

I was quiet surprised to hear Guy Ritchie was giving Sherlock a go as he is quiet famously known for his British gangster films which I am a huge fan of. However after a bit of research I discovered Guy Ritchie is a massive Holmes fan and straight away I was re-assured that Sherlock’s legend would be safe In Ritchie’s hands, and too right he was!

There is no doubt that Ritchie has put his own twist into the world of Sherlock Holmes as he took us on a fast paced and dangerous ride through the seedy underworld of London. Special effects and camera shots changed Sherlock Holmes into something new, modern and exciting.  I was blown away by the bare knuckle boxing scene in the grimy warehouse as Holmes shows a new side to crime solving when he kicks ass in a ring with a six foot cockney nut job! Ritchie helps us get inside Sherlock’s head when we hear an inner monologue of his thoughts as step by step he talks us through the physical and physiological damage he precisely delivers to his opponent in a slow motion face off.

The story is simple enough consisting of an attack on parliament by the evil and satanic lord Blackwood (Mark Strong) in which Watson (Jude Law) and Sherlock (Robert Downy Jr.) are called upon to stop it. All seems well when Blackwood is captured and executed until he mysteriously rises from the grave and continues to wreak havoc on the frightened streets of London. Tension builds as one by one Blackwood kills off members of the parliament using mysterious sorcery, leaving little clues behind. Well that’s what we’re meant to think anyways. But where we failed to notice, Sherlock prevails piecing the clues together and saving the day after an action packed finale on top of a mid constructed Tower Bridge.

But, just when you think Holmes has had enough we find the puzzle is still yet unsolved and after Sherlock announces “case reopened!” the film opens up for a sequel.

 I can only hope the next will be just as riveting and spine tingling as the first. However, I’m sure I have nothing to worry about as I put my trust in Guy Ritchie once, and I would most certainly do it again.

I rate this film a 9 out of a possible 10. Guy Ritchie has created a gritty, fun, clever and exciting master piece.