Sherlock Holmes - Positives

When people think about detectives, one of the first characters to jump into the forefront of their minds is the timeless Sherlock Holmes. With fifty-six stories and four novels about him written by creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and numerous others composed by various other authors, the character is certainly one who has been locked into the prominent head of detective literature. For the most part, Holmes has been carried on through books, but now as films have been rising at an exponential rate, the character has been making appearances in movies. The most recent of these is Sherlock Holmes, directed by Guy Ritchie, and released on Christmas day, December 25, 2009.

In the film, a series of murders attracts Holmes’ attention when they are suspected of being linked to occult worship. Together with his friend John Watson, they set out to uncover the means and reasons behind the killings. For the most part, audiences and critics have received the film with positive feelings alike. The story has been well received for its innovated plot twists and detailed, but understandable descriptions to key events that occur during the film. It never feels overwhelming or confusing. By the end of the film, viewers are anxious to learn how instances in the movie were completed, which should be expected from a detective production. Another strong point about the film comes from the pace of its script. The story moves along at a rather quick rate, even with the amount of information presented at every turn. Viewers are taken through the film with enjoyment and drawn into the world presented on the screen, despite the fact that some of the language used is within the realm of what one would hear from an expert working in the field.

Probably the most positive point of Sherlock Holmes deals with the pattern already set for the character within the stories. It seems that this pattern was followed by the current take on the character. The pattern, more or less, is this: Get case, search for clues, gather clues, solve case, then explain how the clues helped Holmes close the case. It has been this way in most of the stories and it could have both positive and negative effects, due to audiences always wanting to see something new and original. Thankfully, the story delivered is one that stays true to the essence of Sherlock Holmes, but adds the kind of action to the mix that audiences of today desire. As mentioned above, there is never really a dull moment in the film, enabling audiences to always be “on edge” so to speak, waiting for the next big event. Fights and chases are plentiful in the film, but they don’t detract from the intellectual pursuit and confrontation that comprises the main plot. The story itself is firmly established as the most important part of the film, outshining the special effects and barely edging over the spectacular characters.

All in all, Sherlock Holmes was a thoroughly engaging film and one that many fans of the character seemed to enjoy. While there are negatives to the film, as there are in any film created, the consensus is that Sherlock Holmes is worth the watch and most importantly stays true to the character that is loved by millions.

Till next time,
Richard Jicha