Sherlock Holmes proves the unconventional isn’t old

Sherlock Holmes
Warner Bros. Pictures

Sherlock Holmes opened in theaters two weeks ago and still sits comfortably at the box office in the No. 2 spot — right behind James Cameron’s visual masterpiece Avatar. Garnering almost $300 million worldwide so far (through Jan. 11 figures), what’s interesting is the accompanying soundtrack isn’t being released until Jan. 12. WaterTower Music released a digital copy of the score Dec. 22, but I think the CD version’s later release is impeccable timing. A later release could draw more fans and keep the movie in the top three spots for weeks. It not only features original music by Hans Zimmer — who also created soundtracks for box office hits like The Dark Knight, Gladiator and The Lion King, to name a few — but it features a strange mix of instrumental sounds like bring to life the heroes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Victorian era stories and add a playfulness and intrigue to the film that makes Guy Ritchie’s version of Holmes and Watson more than likeable. Who needs songs that rely on by “hot new” bands when you’ve got originality?

With a mix of Irish fiddles, gypsy violins, Hungarian cimbaloms and Argentinean bandoneons, the sound will be easily identifiable and synonymous if the movie has sequels –  much like the Star Wars and Harry Potter series soundtracks.

Ritchie’s telling of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson proves the old can be made new and still capture audiences. Devoid of today’s technologies like DNA testing and other heavily relied upon forensics, it brings the world of old school detectives to life and colors it more with its characters and inner workings of the logical genious known as Holmes.

The story follows Holmes (play by Robert Downey, Jr.) and Watson (Jude Law) as they track down an upper crust murderer — Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong) — and the events that wrap him up in what appears to be witchcraft a secret society tied to politics around the world. As in all of Doyle’s stories, Holmes always gets his man. That shouldn’t be a shocker to a moviegoer, but the fun in the film is the unconventional methods used to get there. I’m sure most people would be shocked he acts less than gentlemanly and uses drug-enduced stupors to bide his time or piece together clues collected, but those are the facts. Downey brings both the action and his own comedic relief during these moments and portrays his character as nothing short of genius in his fact gathering, ability to read people and quick intellect.

Watson doesn’t play a bumbling idiot to Holmes, though, either. In fact, he doesn’t even play second fiddle to Downey’s Holmes. They both are on an even plane and can’t seem to function without each other as they punch their way — literally — to get a step closer to finding the answers needed. Who knew Victorians knew a little something closer to martial arts than boxing?

The wrench in their investigation comes in the form of Holmes’ weakness — Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams), a thief and past love of Holmes. Probably known best for her role in The Notebook, McAdams keeps up with the gentleman every pace of the way. She can be seen as a dark heroine, if you will, with all her flaws. Adler does, however, hold the key to what I believe is a great setup for a sequel as she subtley introduces her boss, a professor named Moriarty who seems as sinister as his black cloak. 

All in all, Sherlock Holmes is definitely a must-see (and listen). Full of action, intrigue, mystery, comedy and intellect, it’s sure to keep moviegoers entertained. One mistake to avoid, though, is comparing it to Downey’s other action film Iron Man and think of 19th-century sleuths vs. modern day superheroes as remotely equivalent.

Click here for the movie’s Web page and to see the movie trailer.