Great movie. Great intriguing plot and amazing acting. If there is one thing that bothered me, it was the fact that most of Sherlock Holmes' wit took a backseat to the more favoured action sequences which are not staple of Holmes. The movie balanced action and wit pretty well. But I found myself at the edge of my seat much more this time, and it had a more intriguing plot. I liked it-

Sherlock Holmes is one of those immortal literary characters who boasts so many film adaptations under his belt that he needs no introduction beyond his name. Even if you've never read any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic mystery stories involving the British detective, you probably already know of his astounding observational powers, proclivity for cocaine in the absence of mental stimulation, and that he's a master fighter? All right, so obviously, Robert Downey Jr.'s Holmes is taking some slight liberties in that arena, and overall the movie is certainly aiming to please the modern action audience with a tale inclusive of rather frenetic action sequences and quickly-paced mystery elements. Too quickly-paced, in my opinion. The film just seemed to go by a little too fast for me, and I never really got the sense of any real suspense or palpable conflict. In all honesty, this really felt more like a 2-hour promo for the sequel to get you primed for a battle against Holmes's equally immortal archnemesis, Moriarty. However, there is still some fair entertainment value to it all, and in the end I enjoyed it enough to want to check out the second film.… Expand

This film sort of came out of the blue as an all-out action bonanza, a modern yet still classic tale on the eccentric detective, and I think Guy Ritchie has did an excellent job of bringing the character to life on the big screen, and leaves the opportunity for the audience to come along for the ride.
A contemporary take on the timeless detective, we have a cold opening of Sherlock (Robert Downey Jr) sneaking out of a carriage and attempting to infiltrate a ritual killing at the hands of the films main villain, Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong), but the films soon plays out as a mystery thriller.
Jude Law takes the reigns as Dr. John Watson, and the chemistry between himself and Downey Jr is excellent, a true friendly bromance.
The film scenes involving bullet time are some of the best of the film, when Sherlock analyses and anticipates what is about to happen, all done in a beautifully rendered set piece.
The movie rarely slows down through its action-packed run, throwing many explosions and revelations at many turns to keep the viewer enticed as to what is happening.
There is certainly many aspects of the historic character that Ritchie has stayed true to, the pipe, the violin and of course the martial arts rumours, but they perfectly blend in with the pace of the film, almost like a heroic mix of RocknRolla.
The one thing that can be said which is little nerving is perhaps the over the top feel of everything, at times its maybe just a little too perfect for Holmes to figure out what is going on, but then agin that isn't what the film is about, it is there to shock and surprise with its epic set pieces that would put the best of the superhero films out there to shame.
Downey Jr puts in a commanding performance as the detective and certainly introduces a different sort of character that we haven't necessarily seen before, combining his sparkling wit and charm to have plenty of comedic and memorable scenes with the expansive cast.
There is a fantastic soundtrack with upbeat and catchy notes to engage the scenes, and with stellar talent here, also including Rachel McAdams as the devious Irene Adler, and a host of British talent including Eddie Marsan and Kelly Reilly, this is certainly a film that will be enjoyed by most.… Expand

The scenes between Holmes and Watson were witty and fun to watch. I've not read a lot of Sherlock Holmes, but I can tell the movie presented him to be a little too eccentric. Holmes and Watson excel in hand to hand combat, which I thought unlikely. Ironically, I can believe Watson to be great in fighting, given he's a seasoned soldier. The antagonist was brilliant, so was the plot and the mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.… Expand

I give it a 6 because I genuinely enjoyed the movie, the actors and the scenarios; it's a good little unassuming action flick. On the other hand, I can't give more than 6 because it was advertised as Sherlock Holmes and it's not Holmes. To those people who didn't like the movie on account of it not being a Holmes film, erase the title from your mind and start thinking about the character as Johnny McAwesomeville, and you'll find yourselves enjoying it too; it worked for me.… Expand

I like this movie a lot, Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr. first together on the silver screen. Good Story and very good cast.One of the best movies of 2009.

Featuring remarkably written characters and dialogue, Guy Ritchie's reimagining of the classic literary character proves to be one helluva fun ride.

Robert Downey, Jr. as Sherlock Holmes; that's something worth watching. I loved his acting, obviously, because I am a huge Downey, Jr. fan. The plot involved more mystery and suspense, and that's the core fact I liked this film a lot. Guy Ritchie was able to deliver it properly. Well, to me, at least.

The film was fine but I genuinely think that it would have been better off without Rachel McAdams. Nothing against the lady but her character just seemed to be put in there to incorporate a female lead. The story itself is rather good and I thought that Jude Law in particular was great.

Absolutely terribly put together. I cant see how this is getting any good reviews at all. There is just too much wrong with it. The plots are weak. The story telling has holes and the pace is awkward at best. The fight scenes are laughable, not to mention pathetic for a period piece and clashes with everything Sherlock Holmes of books was about.

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The first half of Sherlock Holmes was boring, the second half was much better, and then the ending was just dumb. I'm not saying it was a bad film, it just wasn't Sherlock Holmes. The ending when Blackwood comes out of nowhere and pushes Sherlock's "girlfriend" off the bridge was so dumb that I really started laughing. It was just silly, but even this movie isn't great, it can still be mildly entertaining with some clever moments with Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law.… Expand

There isn't much of a mystery in this movie, but Sherlock Holmes mostly benefits from Robert Downey Jr's performance, and his pairing with Jude Law as Watson. Mark Strong gives chills as Blackwood and for what seems like the first time in movie history, the love interest gets cuts and bruises! One of many ways the movie avoids cliches. The action is also very imaginative and brilliantly realized. It's not your grandpa's version of Sherlock, but it's a great popcorn flick nonetheless.… Expand

Little fidelity to the orignal character, very little homework on the history and the period the story took place. This movie is a commercial enterprise to lure bored youngster or people with low reading skills so that they can sit and turn the brain off as usual sitting on the moive theater seat eating some popcorn. Jude Law cannot make a Watson as he does not look at all like a rugby player. Robert Downety Junior would actually make a good Moriarty and Mark Strong should have been the Sherlock Holmes. They have good the cast inverted.… Expand

This is probably as good as a Shaerlock Holmes movie is going to get. Robert Downey continues to do great in this movie.

Sherlock Holmes is known as the brilliant detective of 221B Baker Street, who can spot minute details in the blink of an eye and observe even the smallest and insignificant things and regard them as important. Here in this film we get a more rambunctious, drugged and physical man with the same intellect and persona we'd expect. An excellent film.

Hmmmm. There are action sequences, plenty of one liners, and Robert Downey Jr. I can only deduce that this is another Hollywood box office smash. And silly old me, I just saw the film. My friends pestered me about this for the longest time. They loved the film, and were positive I would too. I told them I'd get around to it, until finally one of my friends lent me the movie to watch. My feelings about this unique film are a little mixed. The film wants to be clever, but very little smarts at all are needed to view this film. Naturally, this film is geared towards teenage boys, who for the most part, are not interested in an intellectually stimulating film. They just want to see Downey deliver witty lines, and watch him beat up thugs. So, if that's what you came to see, you will not be disappointed. However those wanting a more intelligent film, should not look here. Even when the Sherlock Holmes is explaining how he figured out the case at the end, it's through many clues that the viewer didn't have a chance of deciphering themselves, which is quite contradictory to what Sherlock Holmes is all about. I know the target audience, so I expected as much, but my mother who viewed the film with me, was quite irritated at the obscure clues. A good mystery should be tailored so that the audience can try to solve the mystery too (and make it hard enough, so that they can't figure it out). This film does nothing of the sort, instead, we merely learn at the end, that Sherlock had seen things that the camera never shows us, making it impossible to solve the mystery ourselves. But like I said, the target audience doesn't care about such things, so therefore, the film is oddly "smartless." But I digress. On the other hand, the cast does a fantastic job at portraying each of their characters, even if some lines were delivered a little hammy. Also, the musical score, composed by Hanz Zimmer, is very good, and absolutely hilarious. Music doesn't commonly make me smile (out of humor anyway), but this score did. Though many of the action sequences were rather ordinary, there were definitely a handful that kept me on the edge of my seat, and I'm sure the target audience will eat it up. The film is quite amusing, as one can expect with from the leading actor, but for some reason, the film wasn't quite as humorous as I was expecting. It was funny enough, anyway. Lastly, and this may be a major problem for some, but this film just doesn't feel like Sherlock Holmes. It feels like Robert Downey Jr. makes another million dollars. I suppose this is to be expected, but somehow, I was hoping that there might be some sort of Sherlock spirit to this, but alas, there was not. I was not wowed, but I most definitely enjoyed myself. I do wish, though, that the film was a bit more intelligent, and this film doesn't feel like Sherlock Holmes at all. Regardless, this is an enjoyable romp, and I'll probably catch the sequel on DVD. Consider me entertained, but not impressed.… Expand

First off, this is probably a 9.25 out of 10. This movie is great. Action sequences are great. Story is really good. Acting good. RD Jr. Does a good job, and so does Jude law. Score is good to. Cameraing as it slows down and does the same thing is kind of cool, and kind of pointless. Overall, this is a great movie that you should watch. Recommend completely.

Brilliant acting from Downey Jr raises this movie from middle of the road to a good film. Some good camera work adds to the fight scene although at times it feels a bit like a Victorian CSI episode.

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Action, Adventure, Mystery, Thriller, Crime............The movie fully succeeds in achieving success in all these genres and also adds an element of humor........All in all,its TOTAL ENTERTAINMENT...!!!

I loved it. Great performances by the actors!

Since this is based on an inspiring part of historical literature, people have come at it with their all, and what I'm mostly hearing is that it has turned much into an action movie and that they were 'getting tired of people being beaten up'. What might have been missed is the intellect that was deduced by Holmes, and that people may more have noticed the significant amount of violence because of it being seen on screen, and you have to look closer in order to pick up the lesser significant and more unnoticed details. Sherlock Holmes may have had violence and explosions in it, but it showed Holmes as an experienced person that didn't just go around injuring people for the fun of it. He looked for clues, he came to conclusions, he used logic. Ritchie may have spiced up this new Holmes a little more than people expected, but it added to the fun of the movie. It didn't show him in a new light, it just showed us his capabilities and his strength for his environment. People might not have picked up on this, and the fact it might have been 'too complicated and boring' means that they probably weren't focusing on it as such to figure it out for themselves. You might have expected what was going to happen, seeing as it was based on a piece of famous literature, but Sherlock Holmes of course is opened to interpretation. Then why go in there and see it, not bother to focus on the finer details, at least enjoy the film, and beforehand think you're going to expect something completely different? It's confusing how people thought this film would happen, and how it was going to turn out. With all these production teams and crews designing and creating this imaginative piece of media, why think you're going to get a tame bunch of people solving mysteries without any spice like the book says?
I, myself, loved the performance by Robert Downey Jr., who seemed to fit into the role like a glove. Why bother with any other actor when you've got him around to play a bohemian detective who performs experiments on animals (O.K, a little out of touch there)? Although he's American, that was not a barrier to him when he spoke in a brilliant Victorian English accent. It's harder than you think trying to cast these people, and what better way than such a famous star? Not to mention the good-looking British actor Jude Law, who, fair to say, did a superb job as Dr. Watson. Not bad picking an actor who lives on the opposite side of the pond, as they say.
As I said, I think many people missed out on the joyfulness and intellect of the film, because there was so much in there to look for. The characters themselves were not on a 'clown caper' or some unimportant journey as such, but I think there was more to them than people actually thought. Although films are for entertainment, you can also see the difference between this and what Conan Doyle wrote. It's a free country when it comes to this kind of interpretation, as Ritchie did nothing to harm one of the most famous fictional characters in history. The darkness of it did not put me off at all, it merely added to the climax, and it was extremely useful in aiding the referencing of the character's next worst scheming supervillain, Professor Moriarty. Since when can films like these pull of darkness, action, mystery and suspense, comedy and adventure without screwing up? And here we have it, a solid gold take on the famous detective, Sherlock Holmes. You can't get much better interpretation than this - there is no equal in this war - as this, my friends, is king.… Expand

Trop attaché à l'image qu'on lui donnait dans les films précédents, il m'a été difficile d'accorder le moindre intérêt à ce Sherlock Holmes version 2010. Et franchement, s'il n'avait pas quelques atouts en poche, je resterais sur ma décision. A commencer par son allure de blockbuster et sa mise en scène (ralentis, certains cadrages) parfaitement inutile, sans parler de l'ambiance un brin agaçante (Hans Zimmer n'est pas le meilleur à chaque fois). Mais je dois reconnaître que l'ensemble est largement sauvé par l'interprétation et par le scénario, véritable enquête policière qui rend le film divertissant et intrigant. Car voilà les seuls qualificatifs que je donnerais pour juger ce Sherlock Holmes : un blockbuster plutôt sympathique, mais pas aussi exceptionnel de ce qui se faisait entendre.… Expand

Sherlock Holmes was greatly acted, suspenseful picture with a great impersonation of Holmes. Robert Downey Jr. deserved best actor nomination.

SHERLOCK HOLMES is a funny, entertaining, well-acted and well-directed fresh new take on the famous Detective.

A good movie but nothing spectacular. The set was great and the story-line worked well. There is some funny moments in it as well, along with the serious scenes of the film. The actors played their parts well and the fighting and action scenes were choreographed well. Based in London a long time ago, Sherlock Holmes and his partner have to investigate a mystery where is seems someone has came back from the dead. It's a good movie and worth a watch.… Expand

Guy Richie's "Sherlock Holmes" is a stupid interpretation where Sherlock Holmes is a muscle brute solving murders and mysteries with bullet time and sheer luck. Surprisingly, the movie actually works great with its modern interpretation of Holmes.

Ritchie puts his own spin on the Sherlock story making him much more of a street smart detective and more of a oddball to society than god like genius. The story is a little bit complicated and losses steam but the performance from Downey is great, Jude Law is good and really grounds the movie as Watson and even though the supporting cast is forgettable they are made up for with fantastic slow motion run through of how Sherlock will dispatch his enemies, which is great as normally in action movies they just beat the crap out of their enemies but in this Sherlock narrates how he will beat them up and gives us the various injures they will sustain. I is a decent film but not having a great story in a Sherlock Holmes film is kind of stupid.… Expand

I wouldn't call this a classic but a must watch for some action, suspense and thrill. Both Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law portrayed their characters very well. I am waiting for the sequel !!

This film has received much negative criticism from numerous sources. They say its too "thuggish", too "brutish" and that its a crude imitation of what sherlock holmes should be. Yet there is one thing niggling at me.
It seems that had it not been called sherlock holmes, then the film would have received much better reviews. All these people have it in their heads that because it is holmes then it MUST be this or that.
To this I say, what a load of..... The film is very good. There is a fantastic balance of mystery, action and clever details. Some of which you may not notice at first. The acting throughout is superb, from all those involved. The plot and story development is well thought out and ends with a brilliantly executed scene which reveals all to the audience.
All round it was a very good film, well worth the money for a cinema ticket or DVD. Don't listen to these prejudiced fools who tell you it can't be good just because it isn't like the sherlock of old. This is an outstanding adaptation of the classic tales.… Expand

So I rented this one, expecting it to be like an old crime whodonnit thing - and was kinda surprised. Never knew the Holmes / Watson combination were like Batman and Robin!?!
... Come to think of it, this IS Batman in the 19th century! (or was it early 20th century!?)
The plot was far too difficult for my wife to understand, - was similar to "Da Vinci Code" but added a "bit" of reality to the ending (still I understood, wife, not a clue)
As it got to around an hour in, it felt like the story was dragging a little longer than it needed.
As a rundown, Batman (the new style) + Da Vinci Code = Sherlock Holmes. .. who'd have guessed!?… Expand

The first time I saw this movie, I hadn't really read a lot of the Sherlock Holmes stories so I wasn't that familiar with the character. However, after becoming more familiar with the character, I really enjoy this movie. Thanks to some great performances, especially Robert Downey Jr., a script that is original while accurately recreating the characters, and some good humor, Sherlock Holmes is a movie worth seeing. A little cliche? Yes, but definitely good.… Expand

I went to see this movie with a friend, and was expecting a great movie. Ultimately it didn't live up to the expectations of a Sherlock Holmes movie. However, it was extremely entertaining. I enjoyed the mixture of deduction and modern technology. The plot was interesting, but I was able to figure it out a good twenty minutes in. Overall, it was really entertaining, but would have been better if they made up a new character instead of Sherlock Holmes.… Expand

Before thiz newest version, there are about 200 movies that brought Sherlock into wide-screen and more than 70 Actors played as thiz famous character. Sherlock Holmes is a well-known detective on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle novels (Which first time published on 1887). Sherlock on thiz movie is Robert -Iron Man- Downey Jr., Accompanied by his fellow side-kick Dr. John Watson (played by Jude Law). The Other Casts are Rachel McAdams and Mark Strong. Downey Jr. seem does not care how to perform Sherlock authentically, otherwise he just act with his style and just have fun on his version of Sherlock. As we knew, Sherlock is discreet, calm, and charismatic person. But in the end, I think viewers also agree to put beside the original Sherlock for a while, bcoz thiz version is enjoyable. In the overall, The movie was very good enough and very funny with a good fresh concept. The Director is Guy Ritchie. Ritchie known as Indie-Director, which is his best works are LOCK, STOCK, AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS (1998) and SNATCH (2000). The plots in thiz movie is excited on the beginning, a little lame on the middle of film, and closed with just customary ending. After watching thiz movie, maybe its cross on our mind, Downey Jr. on his version of Sherlock resembles with Will Smith performance on WILD WILD WEST (1999). But we must to admit that thiz movie have some plus poins compare with Smith WILD WILD WEST. Both of the movies show us a new style on the legendary figures. Here he comes, The Funky Sherlock!



Visit My Blog on JONNY'S MOVEE on : http://jonnyfendi.blogspot.com… Expand

The backdrop and music are fantastic, while the actors really seem spot on. There is a unique sense of style and all the actors fit well. Camerawork and effects are great, but not too overwelming. I enjoyed the interesting touch editing. Robert Downey Jr. delivers, as well does Jude Law, though I would love to see Mark Strong being a hero one day. My only complaint is that I figured everything out before the end.… Expand

I thought this film was great. Great performances all around, very atmospheric. It also manages to be authentically Holmes, although the action's on a slightly larger scale. But how could anyone not enjoying watching Holmes work out how to take down his opponents in more unique ways.

Ehhh, not nearly what I expected. I'm a huge fan of Robert Downey Jr. and an even bigger one of Guy Ritchie, so naturally when I heard this film was being made I got excited. Not at all lived up to the anticipation. Watch if you like, but you're not missing anything if you don't.

this movie has been led to perfect performances from Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law.

Why this film is getting the bad reviews I've seen is beyond me. Great actors, great scenes, good direction and a pretty good story. What the hell is wrong with you people? /rant.

When it comes to big blockbusters, I generally dislike movies that fall into this category because they simply lack any cerebral characteristic. Surprisingly, Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes is dissimilar to my tendency of aversion of big budget films. Contrary to what I just stated, Sherlock Holmes is undoubtedly not a thoughtful film. But unlike other films in my categorical standards, Holmes makes up for it with its beautiful art direction and action sequences. Even though they are not accurate to the time setting, the scenes of combat are well choreographed and give the film personality. Additionally, the art direction is great, the images of vintage London are just mesmerizing giving the film much needed charm to successfully emulate the original Sherlock Holmes. Lastly, Downey Jr's replicates Conan Doyle's literary character to English perfection with his remarkable false accent and smug personality. With these statements said, the main flaw is the lack of mystery. Sherlock Holmes is a renowned literary character that was famous for the mysteries he solved and how he manipulated every sort of evidence to solve the case. Even though there are some traces of it, Sherlock Holmes ultimately doesn't create a plot of anonymity. It is obvious that the film focuses on action, and that only. That does not necessarily ruin the film, I found the film thoroughly entertaining. But the audience should simply lose the thought that Sherlock Holmes is a mystery; because it ultimately is not thought provoking or mysterious in any way.… Expand

Holmes works out and is sort of American, and Watson is young and not fat? Gotcha. Better keep Guy Richie away from the franchises that actually hinge on obesity.

Although the trailers only had me moderately interested, I guess they were a good manager of expectations because this move was PHENOMENAL! Robert Downey Jr is superb as the intellectual detective Sherlock Holmes. Jude Law is perfectly cast as his partner, Dr. Watson. Even though the trailers are full of the witty quips that run rampant in this flick, they don't do justice in showing just how intelligently this story is delivered. The script is near flawless. The story is intoxicating from the first minute. The acting is immensely entertaining. The sets were exquisite. The directing was surgically executed. Like Batman Begins, the story is almost nonstop, even up to the very end when the sequel is teased. Except instead of the Joker, we learn that Professor Moriarty will be the next villain!… Expand

Guy Ritchie's interpretation of Conan-Doyle's famous sleuth with Black Magic, bare-knuckle boxing & general 19th Century japery.
Nice to see GR back on form in this action-adventure romp which has its clever twists & turns with a very strong cast (even Jude Law is good!).
Took me a while to warm to RDJ's Holmes as he is very much a hyper-active thuggish brute but by the end I was won over.
The whole thing looks great too with Tower Bridge under construction, scaled down Piccadilly Circus & a great authenticity.… Expand

Nice action movie. Good performances and directing. Entertaining but I can understand the negative critic scores, after all it is a movie about Sherlock Holmes and this is definitely not the Sherlock Holmes we are used to.

I'm loving the reviews here, the stupidity within the statements: "It was too rational" and "It was too complicated and boring" are reminding me once again that most movie-goers prefer to have their hand held throughout an entire movie rather than use their deductive skills. Too rational? are you kidding? you actually need 'magic' to enjoy something? Sherlock Holmes is ALL about the mystery being solved, everything being presented and known. If you don't like that then why did you even bother to go watch? @the Sherlock Holmes purists, every other hero of some of the oldest stories in time have transitioned into numerous changes like this one(batman, being a man without powers, being a sort of detective on his own, was changed a lot over the years). The picture of however you imagined Sherlock to be might not be the same as the next person beside you. Its open to interpretation, unless you seek to extinguish everyone's creativity due to your close mindedness. The characters weren't empty, their relationship was fully realized (Sherlock and Watson, two detectives fighting over small, inconsequential things, Watson being tired of Sherlock's antics, and yet what unifies them is the mystery for the time being. Sherlock feeling stuck in his life, feeling as though he is being abandoned, trying to pull his old friend back into the game so he wont be the only one who's trapped and alone, his character develops from there but I wont spoil it) and it was very much apparent that they cared deeply about each other, but most would rather that their emotions surface in a much more obvious way. Its ridiculous to give this movie a bad review just because you didn't bother paying attention.

As for the science and the technology in this movie, it wasn't a copout. All of this was at their disposal back then. Sherlock Holmes, whatever version you prefer of him, was above all else a man of science. Also it goes without saying that in the books and in the cartoon or live action series on tv, things did go slower and there was less action. However in movie format things have to be sped up a bit in order to fit everything in, otherwise the movie would wind up being 3-4 hours and coming wayyy over their estimated budget. Its impractical, and to say otherwise means most of you don't have a clear grasp on what making a movie entails, including the reviewers of these magazines. Besides it all works out in the end, and I found the pacing to be especially stimulating, kept me at attention the entire time.

I understand that you have to pump out these reviews almost everyday, but it doesn't mean you have to rush them like this. Hating a movie like this one while its successful doesn't make you a good critic, it just makes an idiot, especially when you assume this was made for a younger generation or for the "ADD crowd". Branding them the ADD crowd while skipping over the fountain of medical terms used in the proper way(for once in a mainstream movie, no pseudo-science, no **** spells or rituals), the witty jokes and all of the deductions and experiments Holmes made all tied together in one neat conspiracy(Which given a little thought, wasn't all that complicated to those who said it was) just makes you look like your the one who deserves the label.

Also what was mentioned was the exaggerated scenarios. They were pretty lucky to survive I will admit, but one thing I found realistic was the part when they lost a whole night's sleep after the fight. This is something I rarely see in movies, usually the fight is over, hero carries on like a good soldier. This humanized them, and it wasn't the only occasion in the movie where they did this.

One last comment before I leave this review to those whom aren't as gullible as the rest, the hand to hand combat wasn't as uninspired as some claim it to be. While being as intelligent as Holmes with the reflexes he possessed, its not hard to observe the fact that every hit he made was calculated beforehand, as displayed in the very beginning of the movie. When he didn't have time to calculate his every movement he used things like the electricity conductor or chains or guns etc to gain an advantage. I honestly don't get how all of this could have been missed by so many reviewers, but that's fine. I hope that if you've read this you've decided to rent or buy this movie. Whatever you decide, its definitely worth the look.… Collapse

Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law work great together. It's a shame that nothing else in this movie works at all - the worst part is how hard it tries to.

I don't understand why this movie got such bad ratings, I thought it was BRILLIANT!!! Robert Downey Jr. was perfect for Holmes, he was funny, yet serious at the same time. I thought it was an amazing movie for the holidays, it totally made me happy after seeing it. I must say though, it was a little unreal when they knocked down some of the bad guys.... But good must always win!!!


Enjoy the movie!!… Expand

Critics are totally wrong on this movie..I thought it was really great.

This movie was boring. It was also very gray; not fun to look at, and it didn't make any sense.

This picture currently has the same grade as Downey's other recent blockbuster, "Iron Man 2." Both average out to a 57. That's difficult to comprehend, since the Iron Man sequel is a piece of garbage, while this movie is full of all of the suspense that the Iron Man sequel failed to capture. Applying Sherlock Holmes-like deduction to this case, I can only guess that the critics have used different standards in evaluating "Sherlock Holmes," treating it as a literary adaptation. Well, it's not Arthur Conan Doyle; it's based on a comic book version. And the result is actually better than yet another stuffy Doyle adaptation would have been: it's stylish, funny, exciting. I'm disappointed to see critics sniff at "Sherlock Holmes" just because there's a book somewhere behind it. The only misstep is Rachel McAdams, who plays her role seductively but makes it hard to imagine that she was ever a master criminal.… Expand

Let me begin by saying that "Sherlock Holmes" is a lot of fun. That said, as a movie about Sherlock Holmes, it is a failure. As a lifelong fan of the stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, I have seen many screen adaptations and interpretations of his most enduring creation, and this movie simply fails to do the subject matter any kind of justice. While billed, somewhat schizophrenically, as both a "return to origin" and "reinterpretation", the film definitely inclines to the latter. A romance is added, as is an emphasis on chop-socky action and physical comedy. The joy of the Holmes stories, and of all his best films, is the unraveling of the mystery. Here the mystery takes a back seat, serving as a vehicle to propel the film from one frenetic action sequence to another. The fights are kinetic and exciting, but ultimately many of them seem included for their own sake, not the sake of the story. This is truly a Sherlock Holmes for the MTV generation. Between the whizz-bang fights, some plot sometimes occurs. There is not very much, however, and what is there is underwhelming. Mark Strong is given little to do as the main villian, and his nefarious scheme does not hold up to close scrutiny. Rachel McAdams plays a totally reimagined Irene Adler, who is now a master criminal and Sherlock Holmes's love interest, a development which never appears in Conan Doyle's books. Love, in the books, is anathema to Holmes, and he would no sooner form a romantic relationship than dance naked down the Strand. A good Sherlock Holmes story must remain within the parameters that Conan Doyle set down. It must be a convincing story about Sherlock Holmes. Otherwise, why have it be about Holmes at all? Why not a different detective? The obvious answer is, of course, because the Holmes name is arguably one of the most famous brands in the English speaking world. But this is not an excuse to run roughshod over such a unique character. This is not to say that the movie is without its strong points. Quite apart from its failings as a Sherlock Holmes adventure, it is fun and features two fanstic actors (Downey and Law) as Holmes and Watson. The fights are, admittedly exciting, and the views of 1800s London are top-knotch. I can only hope that the sequel will include more plot, more mystery, and more of Conan Doyle's Holmes, not Guy Ritchie's.… Expand

Cleverly done and entertaining.

First of all Downey and Jude were both very good. The story was not as good as the acting. As a whole it was a decent movie. To the crics who gave 50 or below: we are living in the 21st century, where the real stories that Conan Doyle wrote wouldn't satisfy as a blockbuster movie, it needs to be embellished with fast paced action scenes (or a bit of comedy). Although I am a big fan of the books I found the slight change in the story entertaining.… Expand

The visuals (action sequences and scenery) were superb. The acting was great. And the story, while briefly making you think "oh great some unrealistic supernatural trash", comes together nicely in the end. Yes the "old" Holmes is no more in this movie.. but honestly... a more badass "I'm going to not only kick your ass with my mind, but with my fists as well" opens the door to far more interesting encounters and simply...a far more entertaining movie.… Expand

The best I could say about this film is that it inspired me to re-read A. Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. I'd watch Robert Downey Jr in anything but even he was hard to take as he consistently mumbled his lines off screen making him almost unintelligible and and adding confusion to the already obtuse storyline. I am still puzzled over what the plot was really about. Although the fast action and CGI London was amazing, I wanted more of what a Sherlock Holmes story is supposed to be - the use of recognizable deductive reasoning and those 'ah-ha' moments on my part as I understood what the mystery was all about. No such moments here. This film is Holmes as an action hero and although I appreciate the change in character from the old 1940-1950's stogy British gentleman, this version just did not work for me. Maybe I should have paid closer attention but the confused plot made me wish I'd taken a nap instead.… Expand

An interesting mystery, yet surprisingly predictable due to Sherlock's logical world, worth a rent but not recommended to buy.

This movie is so boring, I fell asleep in the theaters.

What the hell are the critics complaining about? They are basically saying that the movie is nothing like thew books. Have you even read them? It is a brilliant adaptation of the stories that Doyle wrote!

With all these low scores and sad reviews claiming the film to be "one of the worst films ever" seriously? Heres a few worse films... Changing Lanes, Snakes on a Plane, and Spiderman 3 (oh how I hate Spiderman 3).

I'm not sure why the critics disliked this movie so much. As a person who has never read a Sherlock Holmes novel, I found the movie quite enjoyable. Well shot, well acted, and very entertaining.

I'm having a difficult time understanding why the lower end of the critics believe this to movie to be so deficient. Is this the best crime drama since the dawn of time? No. Is this an exact replica of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famously brilliant short stories and novels? Of course not. But if it where either of the two it would probably be not nearly as entertaining. For those of you who remember, I'd like you to imagine making an exact replica of the "Encyclopedia Brown" series on screen. It would be the same with Sherlock Holmes. Both accomplish their tasks of solving the crime by sheer powers of deduction. I imagine it would be quite tiresome after awhile, just watching someone analyze the facts to reach a conclusion. For that, you could take a Logic course at your local community college and achieve the same effect. Guy Ritchie brings to the series a fun and engaging aspect to Holmes that allows the viewers to be simultaneously entertained and intrigued by Holmes tendency towards the criminal (readers will remember things such as his opium addiction) and his genius as the detective. The film was ultimately an entertaining portrayal of a classic character intended to amuse, bedazzle and intrigue us. I believe Guy Ritchie accomplished just that. That isn't to say that the movie is without fault. Some moments seem a little far-fetched than others and the tension between Adler and Holmes could have been played up a bit. This, however, does not diminish the overall quality that I believe the movie to have. To those expecting a movie portraying a brooding mastermind in the dark solving the crime in a quiet and matter-of-fact brilliance then you clearly have come to the wrong place for entertaining cinema. If you expect a well-balanced mix of action, humor, and, of course, mystery, then I believe "Sherlock Holmes" is well worth the viewing.… Expand

Great action/thinking movie... Not sure why so many bad reviews... I enjoyed it all the way through.

I don't know what all the critics are so mad about. Of course, this movie is nothing like the old books, but hey, did they want it to be like that? I think teh crowd would be bored to tears if they would have to watch an hour and a half of Holmes questioning some random person and in the last 10 minutes solving the case. This movie took some liberties (read: a lot) if you want to compare it to the books, but the fantastic plot and entertaining action scenes, this movie should've been rated way higher.… Expand

I enjoyed this movie very much, the relationship between Watson and Holmes, feels very similar to that of Dr.House and hes college Wilson.

Excellent movie. i just simply loved the story narration and the thrill. awaiting the sequel.

Not interesting at all. And I hate unrealistic films.

Very good but felt a little long by 3/4 of the way through.

Sherlock Holmes brings more than a few quick street fighting scenes that brings some critiques to give an automatic hate to the movie. The use of not your fathers Holmes is an excuse for those who can not get past their own childish nature. The movie itself brings us an interesting take on not just Holmes, but the times he lived in. To chuck it aside because its not him sitting there for 30 minutes smoking his pipe then coming up with the answer is to insult Doyle.… Expand

If you go in to a movie with low expectations, you'll more than likely be surpized. As was the case for Sherlock Holmes. Don't get me wrong, Guy Ritchie taking on a literary masterpiece is no way the same as Kubrick and The Shining, but Ritchie has incorporated Holmes' intelligence with his usual over the top action pieces and made a much better-than-expected entertaining film. Downey and Law play Holmes and Watson with humor and a little gay innuendo, but the way Ritchie has Holmes analyse his fights in slow motion first is a great advantage to all the commotion that follows. All in all, well worth the price of admission.… Expand

Downey. Jr, even he does not believe in anything happening in the movie,is brilliant. Jude Law Ok. The rest is only BORING. But well, is Guy Ritchie so, what did you expected, a good movie?

This certainly isn

Entertaining, but basically a Victorian period carbon copy of every plot most of uf have seen time and time again.

I liked the pics for Sherlock Holmes and Watson I thought Jude Law and Robert Downy JR were great and not bad action stars it also has a nice plot to it.

Pants. Oh, alright then, if I must say more... Unbearable fake English accent from Downey ( like DvDyke's cocker-nee chimney sweep) grates throughout. No chemistry with Jude Law (who, IMO, has no chemistry in anything I've seen him in on his own, never mind with others). Typical Ritchie cockney geezers, silly plot, slo-mo fights (Sooo overdone these days). One decent gag - the fight on the slipway - and one decent actor - Mark Strong - but limp climax. 5 is generous!… Expand

Really, like a 6.7; a silly, light-headed prologue to what could be a more intriguing sequel once Prof. Moriarty reveals himself. One thing the film has going for it, though--the much discussed chemistry between Holmes and Watson, which all involved, including Rachel McAdams, seem to be reveling in. McAdams plays a sporting beard, understanding that Irene Adler is to be witty, cunning, pretty (but not too pretty), and not to get in the way of her two pretty male costars, whose seem to be barely containing their laughter at their characters' suppressed Victorian passion for each other. There is a ambiguously evil plot; Mark Strong does well at an ambiguously evil Lord Blackwell, and Hans Matheson (from The Tudors) actually manages to put some enthusiasm into the whole scheme. Overall, a fun two-plus hours, with some great verbal banter and random action sequences. A fun diversion; let's see if Ritchie can come up with an actual mystery next time.… Expand

This movie was terrible. Zero points for anything other than Downey, who was his usual great self. But Guy Ritchie shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a camera again.

Loved it. One of Ritchie's best movies, and Downey was hilarious.

Excellent movie, entertaining and fun. Great action. Holmes and Watson compliment each other nicely.

Very fast pace and fun movie, some violence but not extreme. Excellent new take on showing Holmes thought pattern (slow-mo fight scenes). Added +1 as I like Guy Ritchie's other movies and this is in a similar vein. 9/10 if your not a Ritchie fan.

I liked it a lot! But I had to forget everything I read as a kid. As an action movie it's great.

the movie was overall quite intruguing and enjoyable. the cinematography was quite unique in some parts, such as at the beginning and in the chase scene leading up to the shipyard. the plot was believable and quite intriguing, and when not compared to the books was an exceptional movie. the psychology was thrilling.

Excellent movie. Very entertaining...Loved Downey, Law and Adams performances.

I have read all the Sherlock Holmes stories several times over AND I am a mature person of 60ish. I thought the plot was a clever interpretation of the stories for today's cinema - the biffo and the World Domination seem essential for an action/adventure movie to hold its own. Interesting Holmes only plucked at his violin, I thought this verged on looking odd, but perhaps it was necessary. A violin sounds better in a book! I thought the characterisations were very true to the stories, interpreted for the biffo and also to lighten the tone a bit. I really liked the sense of fun of the actors and in the plot, that helped the movie a lot. RDJ and Jude law were excellent, each challenging the other to lift their game. The set and scenes were pretty good too, I like the grey and dull tones for the atmosphere.… Expand

A sensationalized version of a cerebral sleuth, with high production values and a poor script. Robert Downey, Jr., as a would-be ninja? I don't think so.

Refreshing. Great fun. Didn't come to this conclusion until about 24 hours after watching; this Sherlock and Watson and crew stays with you and ripens somehow. Excellent character development of all the major plays and also of many of the peripherals. All in all a rollicking, fun ride. Am going to see again.

Brilliant film with good directing and an excellent, complicated storyline. It's obvious that Downey Jr and Law enjoyed making this film. The only problem was that it was a little bit long.

Very funny and tense which we all love and quite a thinking movie but brilliant.

Very hard to rate, but I'll bump it because the average is too low. The plot is stupid, the hand-to-hand combat is dubious, it's no more a Sherlock Holmes movie than it is a mystery (closer to a spy movie) and the use of drugs and technology is a massive copout destroying all sense of crime-solving deduction. Yet Holmes and Watson are just so *funny.* They carry the movie away from total oblivion and make in entertaining for at least another viewing. Meanwhile their domestic, awkward relationship sets off the homoeroticism alarms of reviewers everywhere. Arthur Conan Doyle's work was always somewhat pulpy. Perhaps this is really a fitting (if entirely faithless) modern reboot.… Expand

I have not seen a class movie since Slumdog, this was a very good movie. Guy Ritchie is back now that he is over Madona, maybe now he will continue to make some good movies.

Started off interesting enough and then quickly dropped off the edge of the table. why ham it up with the gay angle if you are going to introduce the beard/love interest for holmes? made absolutely no sense. guy ritchyyyy at his absolute worst.

Bears not the slightest resemblance to Sherlock Holmes, and I was so tired of watching people beat each other up. Rachel MacAdams doesn't seem bright enough to be any kind of mastermind, and the plot of the story is a total snooze. Downey Jr. is fine, Jude Law is forgettable.

I love Robert Downey but he never once said "elementary my dear Watson".

Pretty good movie. I would recommend seeing it.

Damn good movie. Damn good.

Fun enough to be intelligent, and yet confident enough to wink while pulling you into the inside jokes. Near brilliant.

I thought it was fun, fast, and a blast to watch. Seems like critics wanted it to be boring, staunch, and unexciting. Too bad for them. See it. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law killed it. A beautiful period piece with loads of laughs.

Extremely entertaining.

I would love to review the whole of this movie but i honestly don't know if it improves after the first hour. Y'see my fiance and i both walked out after what seemed the longest hour of our lifes. I could genuinly find no reason to stay seated as this film completely lacked any kind of heart, and the so called "chemistry" between Law and Downey jnr was completely missing from our screening. Normally when i'm sat in a packed cinema and the audience is deadly silent it usually a good sign. It often means they are compelled and fascinated by the on screen perfomances. This time the audience just looked bored. I can only pray that RDJ's performance in Iron Man 2 makes up for this travesty. p.s. this is the only movie i've ever walked out on and i've seen a lot of rubbish in my time. Hell i even watched terminator 3.… Expand