MATT CHEETHAM
Arts Writer

Sherlock Holmes is an elementary film. It is neither a great nor a terrible movie — it is simply mediocre.

If you are a fan of the character and stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, you have been warned: this movie does not resemble the spirit of the original. In fact, if they had renamed the film Eccentric English Detective starring Robert Downey, Jr., it probably would have been much better and somewhat more enjoyable.

Aside from not resembling the spirit and tone of the original work, the movie is fairly typical action-adventure Hollywood fare.

The movie takes place in late 19th century London where Sherlock Holmes and his faithful sidekick are on the case to determine if Lord Blackwood has been resurrected from the dead after his recent execution. Since Blackwood’s demise, supernatural occurrences around London have convinced most people of his return, leading to both panic and fear.

Everyone is convinced, of course, except for Holmes and Watson who have surmised that there is a logical explanation and intend to get the answers they seek. Blackwood does turn out to be alive and his plan is a fairly typical action movie cliché: he wants to take over the world and amass power. Surprise, surprise. No clever cat and mouse games, no brainy deductions. Just two guys saving the world from a power-mad guy who wants to control it. Where have we seen this before?

A favourite scene of mine, which exemplifies this conformity well, is a scene where Sherlock Holmes is being chased by a large brute carrying a big hammer. While cornered, Sherlock reacts by picking up a smaller hammer nearby and throwing it at the man’s chest. This was fairly amusing but did not belong in a Sherlock Holmes film. It actually felt like something out of Pirates of the Caribbean but instead they substituted Captain Jack Sparrow with Sherlock Holmes because Johnny Depp was unavailable.

If you want to see this film, it’s probably best to not even think of it as Sherlock Holmes — just Robert Downey, Jr. with an accent solving a crime in Victorian-era London. But even then, it’s still not really a good movie, but rather a basic Hollywood action movie that has not only been beaten to death but also pulled out of its grave, had its clothes stolen and beaten some more.

There are, however, a few good things about the film. The acting for the most part is solid. Robert Downey, Jr. is quite good as Sherlock Holmes but let’s face it, Robert Downey, Jr. is good in everything. Downey, Jr. conveys a sense of eccentricity aligned with a genius intellect that is constantly bored. Jude Law is also solid as the trusty sidekick Dr. Watson. Law plays the role with both contempt and concern for his friend’s well-being, looking after him like a little brother.

The pair of actors make a wonderful team that should be replicated in a better movie. Also worth mentioning is Eddie Marsan who plays the disgruntled Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard. Marsan is good as a foil to Holmes but at the same time respectful of his strange methods and behaviour. Rachel McAdams also appears in the film as a love interest to Holmes but really doesn’t have much to add other than looking pretty.

Unless you absolutely love action movies, Robert Downey, Jr., or know nothing about Sherlock Holmes, it’s best to wait until you can see this on TV or at least for free, so you don’t have to kick yourself for being out $10.