Sherlock Holmes

Continuing our Robert Downey, Jr. fest, we saw Sherlock Holmes. Inspired by the books of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the film takes a somewhat different tack. In this movie, Holmes is an eccentric detective who makes up for his lack of social graces with his tremendous martial skill and deductive reasoning. His relationship with Dr. Watson is almost mythic, their connection seems practically telepathic/empathetic as they understand each other almost without using words.

The story begins with the capture of a serial killer. Just before the criminal is executed, he asks to see Holmes. His last statement is that three more will die and Holmes will not be able to stop the deaths. And the game is afoot!

Okay, this movie is hokey and predictable, and not in the same vein as any of the books (I'm still scared of "The Case of the Speckled Band" to this day, btw), but it is so much FUN. I enjoyed the clever repartee, the relationship between Holmes and Watson (LOVE Jude Law in almost anything anyway), and the big revelation as the case was solved. Sure, it's a popcorn flick, but it was good time.

This is also not a moms movie, and I don't think it is going to be a successful launch of a new film franchise for Robert Downey, Jr., but that's okay. Iron Man 2 comes out in the spring.