Sherlock Holmes (2009)

It is late 19th century London and Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and Dr. John Watson (Jude Law) are trying to stop a human sacrifice occult ritual that is being performed by Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong). They are able to stop the murder and Lord Blackwood is sent to prison.

Poor Holmes has no new cases and Watson is about to marry his sweetheart Mary (Kelly Reilly) and move out of their shared residence at the famous 221B Baker Street. At the same time, the soon to be hung Lord Blackwood requests to see Holmes before his execution. Blackwood tries to mess with Homes' head (a la Silence of the Lambs) and is soon hung and declared dead by Dr. Watson who checks to see that there is no pulse.

Holmes is offered money by an old adversary and paramour, Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) to find a red haired man by the name of Reardon. Holmes and Watson try to find out who is employing Irene, but have no luck. Days after Blackwood's execution, a gravedigger says that he saw Blackwood walking away from the site. When the coffin is dug up, they find the red haired man inside. They search Reardon's house and find evidence of all kinds of science and chemistry experiments. They are attacked in the house by some men and are arrested after causing all kinds of damage trying to get away from the villains. Watson is sprung by his fiance, but Holmes is brought before the occult society, "The Temple of The Four Orders" who fear Lord Blackwood. Holmes and Watson continue to investigate and soon a couple of the high members of the Order are killed, supposedly by unexplained means. Blackwood then takes over the Order and wants to take over the world, especially America.

Holmes hides out as he finds that he is wanted by the police. He and Watson figure out what Blackwood's next move is and they find that Blackwood wants to kill Parliament members by using a machine devised by Reardon that will release poison gas into the chambers. Holmes, Watson and Adler foil the plan and Blackwood goes after them, losing in a major way. It is left wide open for the next Sherlock Holmes installment.

I will not reveal how Blackwood survived, try to figure it out for yourself. This film is adapted by the stories written by Sir Conan Doyle and was directed by Guy Ritchie. I have not been thrilled by most of the last movies directed by Ritchie, but "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" is quite good. Not for the children though. The movie set reminded me of the Johnny Depp movie "From Hell" about Jack the Ripper. Speaking of, if you go to London, do the Jack the Ripper Tour. For about ten dollars, they take a group of people on a walking tour that lasts about an hour or so around the area where the murders occured. They talk about what happened and the knowledgeable guides answer questions, very interesting!

Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law are great together as Holmes and Watson. They remind me of a bickering married couple. It seems that Holmes would be devastated by Watson marrying and moving away, not unlike today's "bromances". I found the movie to be very entertaining. Lord Blackwood looked amazingly like Andy Garcia only taller. Rachel McAdams part could have been played by anyone, her performance was not very significant.

Rated PG-13. 134 Minutes. I GIVE THIS MOVIE THREE AND THREE QUARTER STARS.