Downey perfect for ‘Holmes’ (3.5/5)

 Sherlock Holmes

Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams
Directed by: Guy Ritchie
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some startling images and a scene of suggestive material.
Running time: 2 hours, 8 minutes.

Guy Ritchie’s take on “Sherlock Holmes” is anything but elementary, my dear movie viewer.

It’s a twisted plot with twisted characters, and who better to take on the icon than Robert Downey Jr.? Answer: Nobody. His cavalier attitude and scruffy appearance lend a distinctly street-wise and clever aura to the traditionally stodgy character.

Holmes’ notorious quick-thinking analytical sense is well demonstrated in an early fight scene (which reminded me of the present-day UFC).

Hans Zimmer’s score is often upbeat and unexpected, the fiddles complementing Holmes’ cheeky ways.

As to the second half of the detective duo, Jude Law is a stellar Watson. Patient but commanding, Law’s Watson is anything but a simple sidekick. The banter between the two is hilarious and will make you want to keep watching.

The pair are in for the puzzle of their lives when the frightening, vampiric, murderous Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong) seemingly rises from the dead.

The only thing more horrifying than the pale aristocrat is what he plans to do next.

Ritchie’s method of storyline is highly essential here, allowing the audience to see things that they might not even notice and then later showing them again, highlighting its importance.

Speaking of importance, it saddened me to see such weak female roles. Holmes’ famed escapee Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) and Watson’s fiancee Mary Morstan (Kelly Reilly) both seemed secondary and very nonessential. Morstan seemed involved only to throw a wrench between Watson and Holmes, and Adler only to introduce a love interest for Holmes.

True, Adler was used to further the plot at times, but this never seemed to be her real reason for being in the movie. It is mentioned that she has been the only one to outsmart Holmes, but her character seems too superficial for us to really believe that.

And I wish we had seen more of Morstan — more of who she was, how she met Watson, why they love each other, and even more of her interactions with Holmes.

Another aspect shoddily done is the threat made to the United States, which appeared very out of context and made me wonder if it was only to bring relevancy to the American audience.

But, “Sherlock Holmes” is a great, fresh take on the famed character and is certainly a movie worth watching twice, if only to fully understand all of what you saw the first time.

And, as with any movie that does moderately well these days, we need only wait for the sequel. Ritchie is currently in pre-production for another “Holmes,” and it is rumored that Brad Pitt will star as the nemesis. According to imdb.com, Robert Downey Jr. is listed to star again as the charming but oft impossible detective.

* * *

There was some concern over the fate of a certain little dog in last week’s movie review of “The Proposal.”

Fear not, fellow puppy lovers, the dog was returned safe and sound to the earth and not sentenced to be the dinner of an Alaskan eagle.

I would also like to emphasize that “The Proposal” is, in fact, a movie and a comedy (though whether one actually finds it funny or not is another matter) and no slight toward our four-legged friends was intended by my amusement.

I am not, by any means, an animal hater. I have volunteered my time at several animal shelters and any who know me also know my affection for man’s (or woman’s) best friend.

Too, I cry every single time I watch “Homeward Bound.”

But I will stand by my previous analysis of the scene — it’s funny. You don’t have to agree, but maybe you should watch it before you disagree.

I do thoroughly appreciate any and all comments and suggestions, however, and may be reached at rcrofut@fltimes.com.

3 1/2 of 5 stars