When a vicious murderer named Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong) is brought to justice and put to death, the men responsible for his capture, famed detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and medical investigator Dr. John Watson (Jude Law), believe the case to be closed. That is until reports surface that Lord Blackwood has returned from the grave to wreak havoc and spread fear in Victorian London. Holmes, a recluse and social pariah, is ecstatic to be back on the job. As someone who over-analyzes everything and everyone that crosses his path, he tends to lapse into depression and a spot of madness whenever he’s left to his own devices. Watson, on the other hand, doesn’t share his enthusiasm. Having devoted the majority of his time to his fiancé (Kelly Reilly), the doctor is a bit annoyed with his friend’s antics. Even so, the deductive duo follow a trail of strange, seemingly supernatural clues, discover a secret society with a firm grasp on Parliamentary power, stumble across a scientific lab a gang of thugs is preparing to burn to the ground, and match wits with the only person to ever best Holmes, former flame Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams). For a moment, it seems as if they’re about to close in. Yet every time Blackwood strikes from the shadows, another body is left in his wake. So it is that when their adversary threatens to make an even bolder move, Holmes and Watson are forced to unravel a web of otherworldly mysteries, uncover the intricacies of Blackwood’s devious plan, and prevent the twisted-tooth madman from killing dozens, perhaps hundreds more.
Whether Sherlock Holmes is entirely faithful to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original stories is beside the point. What matters is that Holmes and Watson, while more rugged and quick to roll up their sleeves, exude the same spirited determination, the same hunger for the truth, the same burning desire to solve every mystery as their leather-bound counterparts. Downey and Law engage in as much mental brow-beating as fist fights, and their on-screen chemistry is as breezy and effortless as anyone could hope for. Words spew out of their mouths as if fired by a cerebral gatling gun, toying with their opponents, taking lighthearted verbal shots at one another, and engaging in some of the most tete-a-tete dialogue since Martin Campbell worked similar magic with his iconic characters in The Mask of Zorro. Moreover, Ritchie and screenwriters Michael Robert Johnson, Anthony Peckham, and Simon Kinberg have given Holmes and Watson complete overhauls. Ever the arrogant charmer, Holmes has been fashioned into an unsociable loser of sorts; a brilliant detective, tactician, and strategist who nevertheless struggles with common courtesy and public venues. Meanwhile, Watson — often portrayed as Holmes’ pudgy, dutiful dog — isn’t simply a bumbling avenue of exposition, but rather a skilled physician, a weathered war veteran, and a formidable investigator. Together, the pair are thrust into every situation with renewed vigor and purpose, and continually challenge, motivate, and inspire one another. The relationship is a convincing one, and their partnership is as strong as their intuition.
Yes, the plot is a tad cumbersome; yes, henchmen are dispatched ad nauseum; and yes, the true nature of Blackwood’s magic is never much of a mystery (at least not for anyone remotely familiar with the underlying formula of Doyle’s original stories). However, the genius of Holmes rests in its cast’s memorable performances and Ritchie’s stylishly shot action sequences, not in its somewhat overwrought plot. Even when quick-cut flashbacks are employed to answer sixteen questions at a time, Downey’s expressive self-assuredness keeps the revelations lively. Even when Watson pouts like a child and refuses to participate, Law’s stiff, clench-jawed commitment to the good doctor transforms his every hesitation into an opportunity for a dose of wry, Holmes-v-Watson comedy. But the humor never relies on cheap gags or unnecessary slapstick (well, aside from a bit with a sedated dog), instead relying on Downey and Law’s endearing personas to deliver the goods. Just try to keep up with their tussles of reason, their spitfire debates, or their passive-aggressive banter. These are old, dear friends who’ve known each other for a long time; men who’ve faced the impossible, looked into the abyss of the unknown, and returned unscathed. Downey and Law seem to vanish, replaced by two, world-weary crime fighters who’ve overcome more obstacles than a single film could possibly convey. Ritchie’s vision may not be perfect, but it offers the sort of nimble, entertaining adventure that makes Sherlock Holmes a perfect rainy-day movie.