No shit, Sherlock!!
By now most of you would’ve come across the behind the scenes “Avengers: Infinity Wars” photo... For those who didn’t here it is!
As noted by many... that’s TWO Sherlock Holmes’ in the same picture! Marvel’s pulled off quite the feat - the 2 Infinity Wars movies have probably got over SIXTY Marvel characters in them - and like Scarlett Johansson recently admitted - perhaps 30 characters in one scene alone!!!
But today i’m going to focus about the aforementioned - and a slightly different kind of superhero - everyone’s favourite Bad Boy from Baker Street - Sherlock Holmes!!
The Guinness World Records believes Sherlock is “the most portrayed movie character in movie history”. And for good reason - Arthur Conan Doyle’s creation about the stunningly gifted Englishman is a fun tale to revisit time after time - and many artists have managed to added their unique tweaks to the Holmes-ian setting.
But in the past few years - it’s probably universally accepted that Benedict Cumberbatch is the quintessential “Sherlock” - as he plays the the part to near perfection in the BBC Series. In the 4 series’ starting from July 2010 - Cumberbatch has cemented his legacy as THE Sherlock of our generation.
BUT - and this actually surprised me to no end - another Englishman actually undertook the task of relaunching Holmes & Co. on the big screen a year before the BBC series came on the small screen. Guy Ritchie brought alive his vision of the Sherlock, Dr. Watson and all the memorable characters of Holmes-ian lore.
Guy Ritchie is known for his kinetic cinematic energy, sharp witted, quick talking characters & chaotic calmness. His stories are usually a walk on the wilder side of life & law - of protagonists with questionable moral compasses, worlds were recklessness, anarchy and confusion reign supreme.
The Snatch director says he’s been a fan of Holmes’ since his own school days - and you can see that he wants to impose his signature stamp on the iconic detective and bring him into a rather contemporary, visceral & high energy setting. Sherlock was erstwhile considered to be a wasteful, laggard recluse who solved his cases on the basis of his supreme deduction skills and minimal exertion. Ritchie turns this notion completely on its’ head and infuses a street smart, roguish dimension to Holmes who doesn’t think twice before launching headfirst into a fist fight.
And while this approach certainly helped the movie get a younger generation of fans flocking to the theatre - i have to admit i disliked it highly. Industrial Revolution era England is portrayed as a whimsical sandbox with no rules or a sense of right & wrong.
Here i am compelled to comment that Steven Moffat & Mark Gatiss managed to strike the perfect note in updating the Holmes’ lore to modern day sensibilities for the BBC series - a task that Guy Ritchie fails at.
As expected - production values are high, camera work is slick & the music (Hans Zimmer) is just right. These are the hallmarks of a Guy Ritchie film and this version is a worthy addition to his repertoire of movies.
When it comes to the cast & the characters - straight off the bat, my biggest regret is that Sherlock’s fascinatingly complicated relation with his brother Mycroft is thoroughly overlooked in this outing. While the character is introduced in the sequel - i feel his inclusion here would’ve grounded the high octane proceedings to good effect.
Mark Strong plays the perfect antagonist - his arrogance & quest for power justifies his heinous actions and brings alive a wonderful sense of menace for the macabre Lord Blackwood.
Rachel McAdams’ Irene Adler is a great supporting act - the elusive American makes a fool of Sherlock yet again. Her portrayal of the “one who gets away” is spot on!
Jude Law as Dr. John Watson is fleshed out as a worthy partner - and perhaps even an equal - to Holmes, rather than just an assistant. His gambling, military past and medical expertise are highlighted prominently. Ritchie tries to create a viable, parallel lead and succeeds, to an extent.
By 2009 - post Iron Man - Robert Downey Jr. had become THE MAN. A string of brilliant movies (Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, A Scanner Darkly, Zodiac) leading into the mega success of the Marvel film that launched a billion dollar empire, the world was literally at his feet.
Studios were dying to get a piece of action & i suspect the decision to take on the role of Holmes was strategic positioning for Team RDJ more than artistic expression - making hay while the sun shone (blindingly, might i add).
His performance to me seemed like an exercise rather than earnest experiment. Everyone loved his accent - i didn’t. His transformation to a skinny (bordering on gaunt) often messy Englishman - i appreciate, though.
At this stage though, RDJ could’ve half-assed through entire movies yet producers would’ve THROWN bags of monies at him. His turnaround from being on the brink of near collapse due to his alcohol & substance abuse - to the hottest ticket in the business is perhaps most well encapsulated by this film - it almost seemed people were scared to call out what was essentially an average, yet overhyped movie.
Another pet peeve - what’s the point of a Holmes’ adaptation with a looming shadow of Moriarty - without ACTUALLY showing the damn mastermind! Ritchie sets up a major showdown for future installment(s) while teasing in the first film - a pattern visible in his King Arthur adaptation as well.
You shouldn’t wait for tomorrow, Guy - you need to deliver right away... after all, it’s not rocket science, it’s just..... Elementary, my dear.