Souped Up Superheroes Don't Have to Be Such a Bad Thing

Sherlock Holmes

Directed by Guy Ritchie, 2009.

So Arthur Conan Doyle's hero has been re-made and put on the big screen once again - but has this modern, mad and quick-witted detective got a bit carried away, getting too close to the Bond and Batman scene?

Sherlock Holmes' (Robert Downey Jr) latest adventure sees him and his pal Dr Watson (Jude Law) facing the lecherous Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong) who uses apparent supernatural powers to spark fear and panic in the Victorian British public. Holmes' powers of logical deduction take him right across the murky depths of London, battling a French brute, chasing a ginger dwarf and trying to resist the temptation that is Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams).

I for one think that the central partnership is one of the best of recent years. A notoriously wooden Law unexpectedly steps up brilliantly as the dashing and reliable Watson to contrast with the madly intelligent attitude that comes with Downey Jr as Holmes. The two fit together like two pieces of a puzzle bickering in the way old friends do but nevertheless unfailing in their friendship. It's also nice to see an intelligent, controlled Watson rather than a dithering fool who seemingly can't grasp Holmes' brilliant ways.

However, there is the inescapable Ritchie flair about the movie, with a similar folky score, slow-motion explosions and bare-chested brawls that have become this director's signature. Surprisingly, not all of it seems out of place. The intensity of Watson's close shaves, and Sherlock's sticky situations keeps the pace of this film, which is ultimately an introduction to further films.

Hans Zimmer's score was also a highlight of the film. A perfect mix of scratchy violins and honky-tonk piano to match Sherlock's quirky disposition as well as the mucky underworld of the Victorian setting. It made the action more gripping as well as creating a unique sound for this unique Sherlock.

The film is long, but definitely doesn't feel it, and yet there is plenty of room for further development both with character and plot. Downey Jr brings fun and excitement to Sherlock's character and Law provides a brilliant counterpart, but the female aspect of the film is weaker. Irene Adler remains an ambiguous character and her relationship with Holmes is unclear, but she adds another dimension to the detective that will be better developed in the movies to come.

Overall, this film is a must-see. So it's a souped-up version of the original detective, but that does not make it a bad movie. It's exciting, visually entertaining and shows an impressive cast at their best. It might have the Ritchie flair, but it has all the qualities of a Hollywood blockbuster too - I'd happily count the Victorian detective amongst some of our most exciting superheroes, even if there isn't anything superhuman about him. Ultimately, he's brilliant, and really that's all that counts.

Please comment if you have anything to add to this review of 'Sherlock Holmes'.