Because of Christmas holidays and many other commitments I had missed the opening of Sherlock Holmes and it was only this week that I got to see it.
Sherlock Holmes has been a big, big hit and if it were not for Avatar would have been the number one film at the box office, as it is it has had to settle for second place. But there is nothing second best about this new chapter of the Sherlock Holmes story, which far exceeded my expectations.
As most people know Liverpool is now a major location for films, television and advertisements. Parts of Sherlock Holmes were filmed here and it is now part of the fun spotting locations. St Georges Hall columns make a brief appearance at the beginning of the film and no doubt there are plenty of locals attending this film, if only to spot themselves as extras.
Stanley Dock warehouses looks as it would have done in 1891, the year the film is set, admittedly it is mostly computer jiggery pokery, but very impressive all the same.
Liverpool has had a long connection with Sherlock Holmes, the most famous Sherlock of them all, Basil Rathbone, was a member of the famous Liverpool Rathbone family. Joining the Liverpool and Globe Insurance Company before becoming an actor. He served in the Liverpool Scottish Regiment during the First World War, rising to the rank of Captain.
Incidentally Basil Rathbone can be seen in one of his most famous roles, Guy of Gisborne in The Adventure of Robin Hood, with Errol Flynn, which is showing at that gem of a cinema The Woolton Picture House on Sunday 31st of January, tickets £4 50p in advance. The Adventures of Robin Hood was the first film to be made in Technicolor.
The definitive television Sherlock Holmes was Jeremy Brett, that series also regularly used Liverpool as a location. Before he was famous, Jude Law played a servant in one episode.
Jude Law, who I have never been impressed as an actor before this film, he was dreadful as “Alfie”, also filmed here in Liverpool, but here he is excellent as Dr. Watson and a foil to Robert Downey Jr as Sherlock Holmes, the chemistry between the pair really comes across when they are bickering like an old married couple.
The Director, Guy Ritchie, a former employee of Madonna, has turned this Sherlock Holmes in to an action film, that flies along, it may not please the Holmes traditionalists, but with its mix of action and comedy it makes for great entertainment and is fun.
Robert Downy Jr may not be everybody’s idea of Sherlock Holmes but he is inspired casting and with Jude Law as Watson the pair make a great double act. I kept thinking of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, maybe it was because of the hats worn by Law, but it was that mix of drama, action and comedy that so often fails, but I am pleased to say on this occasion succeeds.
With Mark Strong as the villainous Lord Blackwood and strong support from Rachel McAdams and the delectable Kelly Riley as well as an ensemble of British character actors this Sherlock Holmes is a very classy production.
All those British actors must be looking forward to appearing in the sequel, there are too many loose ends for there not to be a sequel.
I recommend you get to see it while it is still on the big screen.
Cert 12A 9/10
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