Review : Sherlock Holmes (2010)(India)

Seems like Hollywood is getting inspired by Tamil commercial cinema these days. From the biggest blockbuster Avatar to this most awaited movie by Guy Ritchie, a lot of masala is visible. By masala, I mean introduction, action, romance, comedy and climax fight. Guy Ritchie incorporates all of this with finesse and of course giving it his trademark story-telling style.

Sherlock Holmes is just a wonderful start to the New Year, with brilliant adaption of the renowned fictional detective. The story is simple, just like normal Sherlock Holmes stuff but the wonderful portrayal by Robert Downey Jr. with an even marvellous portrayal of his sidekick Dr. Watson by Jude Law makes the movie worth watching in the big screen. The duo did a lot of flirting and their combined action sequences coupled up with Guy Ritchie’s zip-zap-zoom screenplay makes the viewer literally gaze at the screen with awe.

The movie starts with the simultaneous introduction of the antagonist and the protagonist with the latter getting a part similar to a mass-hero introduction in Tamil cinema. The antagonist, Lord Blackwood practises Black Magic and is hanged after conviction in court. Things seem to go normally when suddenly this guy pops up from the grave and takes on the government. It is the duty of our dear detective Holmes to solve the case. Obviously like all movies, the hero does solve the problem but how does he do it and whether Holmes uses his conventional orthodox style in solving forms the rest of the plot.

Sherlock Holmes is short, sweet and definitely hilarious. Probably, people expecting a serious detective story would be in for a surprise, a surprise both creative and entertaining. And also people expecting a Guy Ritchie style film are no doubt in for a treat. He has stuck to his usual as well as founded new ideas to carve his niche in the movie watcher’s minds.

Background score by Hans Zimmer, the god of BGMs, was intriguing and pleasant to hear. The visual effects are par excellence with a masterful creation of London Bridge under construction. But the only technical aspect that slightly overshadows the others is the stunts. The stunts coupled up with the visual effects easily steal the show, if they weren’t present, the movie would have failed miserably.

Guy Ritchie’s previous flicks include Snatch, Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels and of course the best of the lot, Rock n Rolla. One more feather in his cap is definitely Sherlock Holmes because he has portrayed Holmes in an entirely eccentric way with the same amount of intellect.

So, I suggest that you people watch this movie on the big screen for that Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes is an out-an-out entertainer and a perfect start for 2010. Hollywood does reach an altogether new level with every releasing movie.

Rating: 3.5/5

Brilliant!

Incredulous yet incredible!

Travelling four hours on a winter day just to watch a movie seems unbelievable. I actually thought which idiot will do that. Spending 500+ bucks in a day only for entertainment might seem normal to some, but for a college goer staying in hostel far away from home, it isn’t.

We planned to travel all the way to Kolkata just to watch a movie. Initially there were 6 of us, out of which one of them had cancelled his participation the previous night and we had to leave the other because he couldn’t get up.

I kept my alarm at 4.15am and finally after 2-3 snoozes woke up at 4.30. Quickly finishing off my daily chores, I got ready and went up to the hostel where the auto was called. We boarded the auto and went to pick up another guy who delayed our departure. Finally, after he made his way out of his room, we raced to the station. A college friend was already in queue for getting his ticket done; we paid him our share (Rs.73 each) and got our tickets without any hassle.

We got comfortable seats and as we journeyed along, we had interesting discussions, we slept and we ate.

The train finally reached Howrah and we quickly caught a pre-paid taxi (Rs.110) to the Forum at Elgin Road. After traversing through 4-5 escalators, INOX booking centre became visible and we ran to get the tickets(Rs.160 each). Now that our tension was over, we decided to eat. Two of my friends who visited Kolkata few days ago knew the place properly and suggested a south Indian eatery at chandni chowk. We had to catch a local bus from Elgin Road to Park Street from where we had to travel through India’s first metro to reach Chandni Chowk to finally arrive at a Madras Restaurant which was established in 1939 and provided authentic Chennai food (Rs.80 for sumptuous lunch). After hogging nicely, we checked our watches. Having very little time for metro+bus travel, we caught a taxi and reached the Forum.

The Movie was scheduled to start at 2.05. We reached before time. We bought some snacks (Rs.50 each) to eat inside. The movie ‘Sherlock Holmes’ (whose review is my next post) was a visual treat. Our return train was scheduled at 5.15 and our show got over by 4.15. We still had to get the general tickets, so we caught yet another yellow cab (Rs.120) to Howrah. We got the tickets, and the train arrived at the platform a few minutes after we reached there. People were putting whatever they had in their hands through the windows to secure their seats. We too ran from one bogie to another to find four continuous seats. We found them quite easily. As we journeyed back to Tatanagar, we had a storyboard discussion for our short film which we are planning to make this year, coming out with amusing and innovative ideas. Hope we shoot the film as planned.

This wonderful day got over by 11 as we reached out respective hostels.

Now, as I look back the last 17 hours, it was a roller coaster ride with few sights soothing to the eye and mind (; )) I mean people would laugh at you when you say to them that you are going to watch a movie in a city which is 4 hours away from college. Even I didn’t have the mood to go and i never believed that I would get into this, but once I was into it, this day turned out to be one exciting day worth the money spent and truly incredible.

Special Appreciation : Siddarth and Harish for bringing out such a wonderful idea and taking me along! Thanks a lot!