This reflection does include spoilers for the film. Read at your own discretion!
Sherlock Holmes was one of my favorite films of 2009 and has remained one of my most watched movies since. It is a movie I can throw in regardless of what mood I am in and enjoy it. Tonight's viewing allowed me to catch a few things I had missed in previous viewings that I probably wouldn't have paid much attention to if I had not seen A Game of Shadows recently. There were many clues left by Moriarty throughout the film and in hindsight I missed many of them. I'm glad that I caught them this time around as I know when I buy A Game of Shadows and watch it again it will make it much more enjoyable.
Of the two films, I still prefer this one, although I do believe the second will grow on me with more viewings the same way this one has.
Guy Ritchie provides such a cool setting with a bleak and dreary London and costumes that are marvelous. The score for the film is unique and adds to the tone of the humor and action throughout. Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law have such crisp chemistry and perfect timing, that I could watch them make ten more films together. Mark Strong plays a villain with ease although I would have liked to see more of him in the film. There is enough mystery added throughout that it is forgivable, but after watching Professor Moriarty interact with Sherlock in the sequel, there could have been more to their match of minds.
Rachel McAdams is a beautiful yet sneaky companion to Moriarty as well as former flame of Sherlock. She was a great addition to the cast and by playing both sides of the game was the wild card.
I enjoyed the mental preparation scenes where it showed Sherlock working out a scenario in his head as it plays in slow motion, then going to real time and seeing him actually put it into action. Such a unique approach and I sit in awe each time I see it.
The dialogue is well written and perfectly delivered by Downey and Law and worth the admission ticket. I don't see this film falling out of the rotation anytime soon. It is quick witted and a very smart movie all the way through. I do enjoy characters that have certain quirks about them and Sherlock certainly fits this bill.
It is a favorite that will carry on for the long haul, but eventually I would like to upgrade to the Blu ray version.
If you have never seen this movie I do highly recommend it. It is a great start to my journey and I will be sharing more with you as I go. I will be keeping track of my progress as part of my 2012 Film Journal. Those films as part of my collection will be marked with a (PC) for personal collection while all others will be marked theater, Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime.
