Media MindField

What can I say?…This is a great…dope movie…every frame. I’ve been a fan of Guy Ritchie’s work since “Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels”, “Snatch” is one of my all time faves…if you haven’t seen “Layer Cake” wake up, you’re sleeping. I must admit, I doubted his ability to handle a film on the scope of “Sherlock Holmes”. I was wrong. I know, you’re thinking: “Not YOU Mentyl, you’re an evil genius!” But alas, I have unduly underestimated Mr. Ritchie’s ability, so I will apologize to him publicly now. I’m sorry sir, your movie kicked an unprecedented amount of ass.

That said, I must add “Sherlock” to my favorites list. Gone are the stiff musings of the Basil Rathbone era. Less revisionist than the Nichol Williamson version in “The Seven Percent Solution”. Much more akin to the adventurous spirit that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle originally intended. At the same time fans of Sherlock will be pleased to hear his famous deductions still intact and well played by Robert Downey Jr. The casting all the way around was excellent. I had my doubts about Jude Law as Dr. Watson…but he kicked ass and took names throughout the whole flik.

Visually, it was the feast for the eyes I’ve come to expect from a Guy Ritchie film. He also managed to give this obviously big budget production an unusual, but historically accurate level of grit, a little dirt under its metaphorical fingernails, I’m not sure how to explain it, but Downey as Holmes actually seemed to have a little B.O. I can’t help but be a little biased as a martial artist in loving that Holmes’ martial abilities were made an integral part of his character. Jude Law also brought a fresh take on the Dr. Watson character. While clearly more gentlemanly than Holmes, he possesses a rough edge which has been absent from the stodgy old man interpretations of past “Sherlock” productions. A factor that definitely made the whole experience that much more enjoyable.

I could go on for pages about what I liked about this film, but don’t waste your time reading about it, go see it. I loved it and plan to see it again next chance I get. Seriously, do yourself a favor and check it out.

Rating: (9/10)

Mentyl: The Evil Genius

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