John A Massie's Review

Summary - Really Great 4.5

I enjoy this film for a number of reasons: the use of the Freemason/Jack the Ripper theories in the plot, the way the action scenes use slow-motion to actually inhance the action, the few touches of somewhat steampunkish turn of the centuary technology, but most of all I enjoyed it because of its faithfull in tone, plot, and character to the original Arthur Conan Doyle stories, which I’d rank as some of my favourite written works ever. In fact, If I had an out of control ego, I’d think all the various elements of this film were chosen especially to appeal to me.

Which is to say, this is a film which very much appeals to MY tastes. If you want a quick, light, snappy, action blockbuster, well your going to be a little disappointed.

Acting - Really Great 4.5

Downey Jnr was awesome as Holmes, but perhaps not the kind of awesome someone who wanted to see another wisecracking Tony Stark will appreciate. The kind of awesome where he fully inhabits the awesome of the original Holmes.

Law and McAdams were solid, Mark Strong gave a creepy, intelligent, meanicing performace, and the rest of the supporting cast were all spot on.

Film - Great 4.0

CGI was a bit scruffy in places, but otherwise no complaints. Again, most of the overly stylish moments actually inhanced the plot.

Edge - Risqué 2.2

A few graphic slo-mo punchs, a couple sex jokes, nothing too bad.

Reality - Glib 1.3

A few moments of scientific liberty were taken, but nothing impossible.

8 Comments

• Wick May 14, 2010 11:44PM

  Regarding BrianSez’s Review
  Solid review, Holmes.

• MJ5K Jan 15, 2010 7:04AM

  Haha I said just kidding : )

• Wick Jan 14, 2010 11:51PM

  Yep, I call ’em as I see ’em, and try not to give nihilism extra credit just because it seems so heavy.

• MJ5K Jan 14, 2010 6:25PM

  Sorry, Wick. I don’t know why I posted that comment. I respect your opinion……Mr. Gives G-Force a 4.5 and gives the Road only a 3.5 HOW DARE YOU!!! lol Just kidding.

• Wick Jan 13, 2010 8:53PM

  You say that here MJ, yet you gave both Avatar and Basterds 3.5 beams and have yet to review Holmes. IOW, your actions aren’t yet matching your words.

  Back to Avatar, I also gave it a Very Good, same as you.

• MJ5K Jan 13, 2010 8:07PM

  Yeesh laweesh, Wick. Avatar was MUCH better than both Holmes and Inglorious Basterds.

• Wick Jan 13, 2010 6:19PM

  Regarding SCDL’s Review
  I agree SCDL. I liked it better than Avatar also.

• Wick Jan 2, 2010 9:56PM

  Regarding John A Massie’s Review
  First rate review Massie. Your summary – interesting and spot-on, then LOL. Your bottom line – perspicacious. I took Holmes in last night from row 5 of the Century 21, the full dome next to Sarah Winchester’s house – biggest and best screen for big movies. Clearly a Great movie. I’m not feeling too much pressure to get my review up however given what you and Hurwizzle have already posted.

  Bravo.

  Great to have you back. You’re consistently interesting.

  - W

• Feed
• Movies
• ViewLists
• NewOnDemand