The Red Right Hand
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SHERLOCK HOLMES
Nothing Escapes Him

Director
Guy Ritchie

Starring
Robert Downey Jnr.
Jude Law
Rachel McAdams
Mark Strong

Sherlock Holmes, Robin Hood, John Wayne - three distinct figures from my childhood; solely for the adoration my father invested in them. As such, I have grown up with a distinct knowledge and awareness of the many adventures of Baker Street's great detective. Holmes' latest incarnation, however, focuses heavily on the character's more anti-social eccentricities and I should imagine die-hard fans are going to be a little bit put out.

The plot itself is almost inconsequential (at it was in the original stories), acting as a vehicle for the characters of Holmes [Downey Jnr.] and Dr. Watson [Law] to banter back and forth as they peruse a crime scene with methods that would contemporarily be considered standard forensics. The case in question follows an underground fanatical cult and the grisly undertakings of the sinister Lord Blackwood [Strong]; more aptly, the resurrection of the recently executed Lord and the subsequent deaths that follow. From this point, the film breaks down into three distinct parts: the first establishes the new-look Holmes, littered with various nods and mannerisms that fans should recognise and appreciate; the second is a rather glitzy mix of scenarios and action sequences that entertain but sometimes overstep their bounds; and finally, a conclusion that pulls everything into light and sound logic (scenes which should be condemned as cheap spoutings of exposition but, in light of the character, feels strangely loyal), confirming that this new breed of Ritchie-helmed Holmes flicks will be damned entertaining.

Other than the cinematographic effect and the overall visual appeal, the most compelling element is the thoroughly impressive cast. Not only are the actors involved wholly aware of how easy it would be to ruin this movie, they seem determined not to fall into the pitfalls of character stereotyping. I must confess, on hearing the intended cast and watching the first few trailers, I was far from impressed and assumed Sherlock Holmes would utterly destroy Ritchie's career. If anything, this has proved that Ritchie has a real head for directing without reverting to what is expected of him - a point of fact made all the more apparent by the distinct lack of directorial signatory touches. In addition to this, there was the presence of Hans Zimmer's superbly subtle score, centring on what can only be dubbed a 'plucking theme'. Featuring violins, harpsichords and upbeat Irish Trad, Zimmer creates a sense of slowly building tension and intrigue as well as embodying the sheer whimsy of the central character.

Granted, Holmes is far from perfect and to analyse it closely presents a wealth of problems and flaws. The first being the pacing which, as previously stated, leaves the audience feeling a tad frustrated and static midway through before picking up for the finale. Then there's the issue of Ms. Irene Adler [McAdams], a character referenced in the books as the one woman Holmes felt challenged by and worthy of his time - her inclusion here, however, serves only to introduce a powerful female element (in stark contrast to Kelly Reilly's Mary) and feels incredibly under-written and tacked on.

Granted, this version could easily be branded as more sensationalist than its source material, focusing on the fast-paced thrills and action but with a healthy bout of sufficient sleuthing, I would say this is a surprisingly faithful adaptation that has set itself up for many-a-tale and should prove increasingly interesting over the coming years.

Release Date:
26th December 2009

The Scene To Look Out For:
Lots of little things made me smile, Holmes' affinity for pipes and cigars, his occasional plucking of the violin, the manner in which he perfectly analyses every possible blow in a coming bout before enacting swift pugilistic force. But the nod that rendered most amusement is probably the most obscure. At one point, Holmes is sitting in a darkened room, attempting to perfect a silencer for his revolver. Taking pot-shots at the wall he spells out VR in bullet holes. A reference to the detective's patriotic feelings in The Musgrave Ritual, as VR stands for Victoria Regina. In addition to this, Holmes' frustration and seeming contempt for the general population is perfectly manifested with the almost misanthropic logician sitting in a restaurant, closing his eyes and attempting to block the chaotic sounds of the surrounding bustle.

Notable Characters:
Have you ever watched the TV series House? Did you know it's essentially a contemporary rendition of Holmes as an investigative doctor? Quite an ingenious adaptation too, utilising the character's disdain for people, his addiction to drugs, his impeccable deductive skills (demonstrated with both mediocre cases and substantial medical challenges) and finally the dynamic between Dr. House and his bumbling friend, Dr. Wilson. Seems obvious really, doesn't it? Well, in any case, many adaptations of Holmes have been penned and almost all focus solely on the central character. Watson, unfortunately, is always confined to the background, parroting Holmes' words and singing his praise. In truth, Watson was written as a limping army surgeon the same age as Holmes, who shared a strangely symbiotic and grounding role as the detective's aide. Truth be told, I'm not exactly a fan of Jude Law but every now-and-then, he surprises me. The duo's dynamic was witty and interesting, Law's delivery was thoroughly praise-worthy and the exploration of his personality flaws (love of gambling and willingness to follow Holmes into obvious danger) was completely commendable.

Highlighted Quote:
"Nut him!"

In A Few Words:
"Probably a little too steampunk for most Holmes fans but a worthy addition to the continuing legacy and a promising start for Ritchie's series"

Total Score:
7/10


Matthew Stogdon