Not suitable for children.
- GENRE: Action
- ACTORS: Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan, Kelly Reilly, Hans Matheson, William Hope, William Houston, Geraldine James
- RATING: PG-13
- PARENTAL NOTE: Not intended for younger children. There may be some profanity, but it is not prevalent. Some questionable situations and references to magic and the occult. There is almost (but not quite) brief nudity in a couple of scenes.1 Lots of violence, but not explicit nor gory. I don’t think watching this movie would harm older teenagers.
- INTENDED AUDIENCE: This movie should have a broad appeal for viewers of an appropriate age.
- GENERAL PLOT: (No spoilers) If you’ve read the Sherlock Holmes books by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859 – 1930), or seen other Sherlock Holmes movies, it’s best to pretend you haven’t. This movie is only loosely related to the book. I’ve always thought the detective, Holmes, was a more “dark” character in the books, than in earlier movies. He’s portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. as plenty “dark” in this film. Although there is reference to magic and the occult, I wouldn’t say that dark themes dominate the movie. Perhaps only dim themes, or grey themes. There are lots of twists and turns in the plot, but you never get the feeling that there is going to be any big surprise. There isn’t. After all, Sherlock Holmes always evades the criminals and solves the crime. That ingredient in books and previous movies has never changed.
- REVIEW: I liked the movie. Lots of action, though much of it is pretty implausible. The scenery was great too. I wasn’t alive in 19th century England2, so I can’t say for sure–but I really felt like I was there. This was a dark, rainy, dirty, earthy, disorganized 19th century England too. Lots of dirt. In fact, if I had to sum up the mood of the film one word, that word would be “filth.”
- RECOMMENDATION: This is an action movie. It is not a film about cute puppies, so don’t be offended when it turns out there are hangings, fights, shooting, explosions, and even a few killings. For all these reasons, I found this version of Sherlock Holmes to be quite enjoyable. Definitely worth watching.
- RATING (out of 5 stars):
FOOTNOTES:
i wanted to see this movie but never did. would you ever consider liking a movie that does not include hangings, fights, shooting, explosions, and even a few killings? just asking.
[Editor’s response: No.]
i’m starting if you have actually viewed these movies and didn’t just copy these reviews from wiki. after all, plagiarism IS the most sincere form of flattery(according to some).