Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Featured Audience Ratings

• John M

  
  Enjoyed it thoroughly!! took me back to my childhood fascination with the Basil Rathbone Sherlock Holmes movies as I tried to deduce everything as Holmes did lol. A fun solid modern adaptation of a great character.

• Directors C

  
  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] Sherlock Holmes has always been someone who understands the power of logic, but Guy Ritchie favours in everything but. The plot he works with is very silly but still works firmly as a perfect popcorn flick set… More
  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] Sherlock Holmes has always been someone who understands the power of logic, but Guy Ritchie favours in everything but. The plot he works with is very silly but still works firmly as a perfect popcorn flick set up. It's longer than it needs to be but Robert Downey Jr brings justice to the great detective to keep it entertaining. Other great performances and the visually breathtaking environments make the modern update of Holmes, stylish and action packed and easily recommendable.

• Stephen M

  
  If I'm honest, this was better than anticipated. Yes, it's a bit of a hollow spectacle, but it's none the less enjoyable for that. My main concern was that Guy Ritchie's flashy style might render the art and costume departments' marvellous period evocation of… More
  If I'm honest, this was better than anticipated. Yes, it's a bit of a hollow spectacle, but it's none the less enjoyable for that. My main concern was that Guy Ritchie's flashy style might render the art and costume departments' marvellous period evocation of Victorian London a waste of time and effort. I needn't have worried, however, and to be fair to Ritchie some of his flourishes - in particular, a balletically beautiful series of slow-motion explosions at a dockside warehouse - are the stand-out moments. I could have done with a little less action and a little more ratiocination though. There's also something decidedly odd about the relationship between Holmes and Watson, who share surprisingly less time on screen together than one might expect. If you go back to the original Conan Doyle stories, wild horses couldn't generally keep Watson away from an investigation, but in Ritchie's film, as played by Jude Law, one gets the feeling that there's always somewhere else the good doctor would rather be. Okay, to a certain extent he's only feigning disinterest to punish Holmes for his boorish attitude toward his fiancée, but it doesn't exactly whet the viewer's enthusiasm for events to come when the hero's sidekick is only present under sufferance. Let's just say this is less of a buddy movie than it might have been. I was also mildly irritated by how squarely the production is aimed at the American box office. I certainly don't begrudge Robert Downey Jr. the role of Holmes, but you may notice that aside from Holmes, Watson and Rachel McAdams' plucky Irene Adler, the only person who stands up to Mark Strong's villain happens to be the U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain. And what of Strong's dastardly scheme? Does he want to assassinate Queen Victoria, or maybe poison the nation's tea supply? No, of course he doesn't; he wants to recapture the United States for the British Empire. The fiend!

• Kase V

  
  Guy Ritchie's first film in this interesting franchise is a force of nature. Downey plays the character with such ease, and the impressive camera work spread throughout is nothing short of awesome. I applaud Ritchie for making such an entertaining action-adventure film out of… More
  Guy Ritchie's first film in this interesting franchise is a force of nature. Downey plays the character with such ease, and the impressive camera work spread throughout is nothing short of awesome. I applaud Ritchie for making such an entertaining action-adventure film out of such a difficult subject.

• Alexander D

  
  When watching a film of such a nature, itâ(TM)s hard not for two thoughts to cross your mind: One, B and C are merely insipid excuses to use artistic film editing techniques. The zooming and panning techniques used to create SHERLOCK HOLMES are those that would only be found in a… More
  When watching a film of such a nature, itâ(TM)s hard not for two thoughts to cross your mind: One, B and C are merely insipid excuses to use artistic film editing techniques. The zooming and panning techniques used to create SHERLOCK HOLMES are those that would only be found in a stylish title sequence (which this also lacks), and the repitition of the method is overwhelming. Two, is this an adaptation of the work of Conan Doyle or Ian Fleming? In all seriousness, I waited the whole film for Downey, Jr. to ask for a vodka martini, shaken, not stirred. The acrophobic sequence near the end is almost a duplicate of a similar scene in the beginning in 2006â²s CASINO ROYALE, and Downey, Jr. had that too-familiar charm.

• danny d

  
  what a pleasant surprise. i expected to hate this film, and i really enjoyed it. the film was not without major problems. while i love the bourne series, this film is an example of the only unfortunate side to living in a post bourne world. this film could have been much better if… More
  what a pleasant surprise. i expected to hate this film, and i really enjoyed it. the film was not without major problems. while i love the bourne series, this film is an example of the only unfortunate side to living in a post bourne world. this film could have been much better if ritchie had resisted the urge to "bournize" his characters. instead of the mythological holmes we already know, love, and would have rather seen, ritchie ditched much of doyle's creation and gave us sherlock holmes-action star! this was not a good move. aside from this unfortunate reinvention of the character, the film was incredibly enjoyable. the performers were solid, the story entertaining, and the cinematography and art direction were perfect for this sort of film. after a rewatch the film actually improves, although the wrap up at the end is a bit too neat.

• KJ P

  
  Sherlock Holmes is a stylistic take on a classic character, and it really works. As Lord Blackwood rises from his grave, he is on the loose, creating many obstacles for Holmes (and his partner Watson) to beat. The story is very well told, the writing is perfect, the cinematography is… More
  Sherlock Holmes is a stylistic take on a classic character, and it really works. As Lord Blackwood rises from his grave, he is on the loose, creating many obstacles for Holmes (and his partner Watson) to beat. The story is very well told, the writing is perfect, the cinematography is noticeably well-crafted, and the action is pretty good. The only downfall of this film is that the characters are already in pursuit and know what they are doing, we never really get backstories for either of the leads, which would have been a very nice touch. At times the film seems to drag on, but in the end, it is a very entertaining and action-packed, "old-time" detective picture. Sherlock Holmes is a hit!

• Everett J

  
  great version of the old classic...Downey Jr. is the coolest actor alive,,

• zach l

  
  Sherlock Holmes is nothing less then an entertaining blockbuster. Action packed and mysertious, Sherlock Holmes is a satisfying movie with a great performance by Robert Downey Jr.

• paul o

  
  Phantom Camera + Guy Ritchie + Robert Downey Jr = Entertaining blockbuster. Mark strong and Jude Law play great support actors and the story isn't so much complex as it is fun and hilarious. Its solid but not exactly the most memorable film. A step away from the gangster… More
  Phantom Camera + Guy Ritchie + Robert Downey Jr = Entertaining blockbuster. Mark strong and Jude Law play great support actors and the story isn't so much complex as it is fun and hilarious. Its solid but not exactly the most memorable film. A step away from the gangster films, Guy Ritchie takes a leap to a different genre and lands on his two feet.

• Nathan H

  
  Holmes is back, and he's reincarnate for the twenty-first century. Robert Downey Jr. plays the charming and unique detective as he is thrown into a conspiracy by his "forever" love. Great storyline, compeling characters, and interesting directing, Sherlock Holmes will… More
  Holmes is back, and he's reincarnate for the twenty-first century. Robert Downey Jr. plays the charming and unique detective as he is thrown into a conspiracy by his "forever" love. Great storyline, compeling characters, and interesting directing, Sherlock Holmes will keep you entertained to the last scene.

• Kristijonas F

  
  Guy Ritchie, labeled as the British Quentin Tarantino by many, has a keen fondness for churning out humorous, off-kilter, character-driven English gangster films year after year; so many, in fact, that his passion for them has come at the expense of originality (There are only so many… More
  Guy Ritchie, labeled as the British Quentin Tarantino by many, has a keen fondness for churning out humorous, off-kilter, character-driven English gangster films year after year; so many, in fact, that his passion for them has come at the expense of originality (There are only so many ways to tell one story - a conundrum Mr. Ritchie seems to have figured out). Thus, it was essential for the director to find a new platform to branch out from - and I'd say the Sherlock Holmes reboot is a hell of a decision. Admittedly, Mr. Ritchie may have been too a kinetic of a director to bring the famous detective to life - as the film surely contradicts the subtlety of the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle novels. Nevertheless, the film is well shot, action-packed, brilliantly acted and witty enough to please even the most loyal Guy Ritchie fan (Although you can actually understand the British accents in this one).

• Jennifer X

  
  All the characters do in this movie is mutter to each other and have dastardly sword fights. Not my British cup of tea, thank you very much.

• Drake T

  
  It's a refreshingly gritty, fun, stylistic and action based take on the otherwise dreary, monotone, intellectually stifling character. The end product is a fun, entertaining experience that fans of the original concept may find too "flashy" but hey! I'm all for… More
  It's a refreshingly gritty, fun, stylistic and action based take on the otherwise dreary, monotone, intellectually stifling character. The end product is a fun, entertaining experience that fans of the original concept may find too "flashy" but hey! I'm all for exciting re-imaginings. Although I do see how turning Holmes into "just another" action-hero somewhat demeaning it never forgets to retain those qualities of wit, charm and "intellect" that pull the film through. In the end, it's not remotely as dumb and brainless as it could've been. Why remake something if we aren't going to mix it up? A bold and successful move.

• Candy R

  
  Action packed, detective story. Great cast. Robert Downey Jr is brilliant. He is Holmes who is very eccentric, extremely intelligent and fearless. His friend and professional partner is Watson (Law) often saves his bacon at the risk of his own life and relationships. They uncover a… More
  Action packed, detective story. Great cast. Robert Downey Jr is brilliant. He is Holmes who is very eccentric, extremely intelligent and fearless. His friend and professional partner is Watson (Law) often saves his bacon at the risk of his own life and relationships. They uncover a sinister plot that threatens parliament.

• Bethany M

  
  Awful! The ending was the best bit.

• Brad W

  
  What a surprise, what Guy Ritchie has managed to do here is make the ultimate sleuth movie. Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law are one of the best duos I have ever seen, truly great together. The plot was so well done and cool that it had me at the tip of my seat. The music was great,… More
  What a surprise, what Guy Ritchie has managed to do here is make the ultimate sleuth movie. Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law are one of the best duos I have ever seen, truly great together. The plot was so well done and cool that it had me at the tip of my seat. The music was great, the tune played over and over in my head. The production was a gem, it was so detailed and accurate for its own good. I loved this movie, and I pity the fools who didn't.

• Tim S

  
  Let me be clear and say that this can, at times, be good, dumb fun, and other times a quite sophisticated murder mystery (as one would expect). The fact that there is supernatual and political intrigue is a bit tedious, having been seen endlessly before in other films (not to mention… More
  Let me be clear and say that this can, at times, be good, dumb fun, and other times a quite sophisticated murder mystery (as one would expect). The fact that there is supernatual and political intrigue is a bit tedious, having been seen endlessly before in other films (not to mention the use of slow motion ala The Matrix), but all is not lost. Fortunately, the sum is greater than its parts, and I enjoyed the film much more than I originally believed I would upon catching a glimpse of the first trailer. It's by no means perfect and carries some weighty problems in certain areas, but I still managed to enjoy it and I look forward to seeing where they take things with the sequel.

• Randy T

  
  An ill-advised reworking of familiar iconography into an action-packed martial arty mishmash designed to appeal to the 12-to-25 yr old demographic. I'm guessing Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is spinning in his grave.

• Dead A

  
  Mind blowing! Can't wait for the second one!

Read all 20 featured audience ratings