MovieChat Forums > Sherlock Holmes (2009) Discussion > The most peculiar Batman film I've seen....

The most peculiar Batman film I've seen...(psuedo-review with spoilers)


My apologies in advance, but this is an entirely negative "review" with ranting and venting. Probably not worth reading if you're a fan of the film.

Sherlock (Batman) - Master detective, excellent combatant. Becomes a wanted criminal, and has a useful friend in the police force. His romantic interest is a thief and they have a vaguely complicated relationship. He has streaks of placing himself in personal confinement within his home. Capable of charm when he actually desires using it. Uses technology and wit to accomplish his goals. Ultimately (in a blurb of flashbacks), he solves the puzzle himself.

Dr. Watson (Robin) - An effectual detective, though not quite as good as Sherlock. An effectual combatant, though not quite as good as Sherlock. The more "normal", and "stable" of the two. Relegated to the reluctant sidekick role, even if they're made to appear equals at times.

Irene (Catwoman) - Skilled combatant, who steals for herself and sometimes others. Lures Sherlock into situations, assuming he can get out of them. Despite machinations against Sherlock, she loves him. Talented manipulator and thief.

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It could be argued that Sherlock Holmes was Batman before Batman existed. Fair enough.

-The pacing was off. Movie started quickly with parkour, like Casino Royale. Slowed down to introduce Watson's romantic interest. Went back to detective work, had a long, long fight sequence. And really just bounced around as Guy Ritchie desired.

-The acting was fine enough, but the script was razor-thin. A villain wants to take control of London (and that silly America place). He fakes magical prowess to do this. Mr. *ahem* Coward is introduced in one scene. He's shown to be a henchman in the next scene, via evil smile. He tries to kill Sherlock in his third(?) scene. He is presumably captured by Parliament in his last scene. Caricatures abound.

-Combat. Obviously this didn't win any awards for fight choreography. The slow-mo effects disappeared after a few fights, replaced by a predictable "boss fight" mid-movie. Which ultimately focused on a tazer and CGI effects. The camerawork during the hand-to-hand action generally attempted to mimic Bourne Supremacy, especially by the end. Lots of zooming-in and fast paced attacks that are focused just enough to show the viewer that people are fighting. How they were fighting was superfluous.

Even as a Dramedy, I feel everyone involved has done much better. Robert Downey Jr. was fantastic in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Jude Law was great in Closer. Guy Ritchie was much more focused in Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, as well as Snatch. (I do think this is superior to his semi-recent film The Man From U.N.C.L.E. But that's another story.)

I'd compare this to Now You See Me. Overly predictable bombast masquerading as intelligent thrills. For the genre, the first Pirates of the Caribbean is preferable.

(EDIT: Furthermore, the film never gives Sherlock the time to doubt himself even once. He gets a detail on Watson's fiance wrong? He has wine thrown in his face, pauses briefly, and happily readies himself for his coming meal as his dining companions have left. Weak attempts at base humor leave no room for these characters to change at all from beginning to end.)

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I recall Batman VS Sherlock Holmes Epic Rap Battle :)

Metallica, Iron Maiden, and My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic fan

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