A day before watching this film I stumbled upon Sherlock Holmes (2009) playing on T.V. and a day before that accidently I discovered the series called Sherlock. Sherlock the series is on my must watch list for 2012. The similarity between the series and Guy Ritchies version is in their interpretation of the characters. With this one he is playing to the gallery. In a year that saw many south Indian remakes in Hindi this could easily pass off as one more in the list.
Whats it about? The opening scene reminded of the countless no of Hindi films in which the hero is introduced through an action sequence. Here too the film starts with an action sequences setting up the stage for what to expect in the next two hours. Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Junior) along with Dr. Watson (Jude Law) has to save the world from the evil genius Dr. Morriaty (Jared Harris). This time he has Simza Sim Sim (TGWTDT Noomi Rapace) for company.
Does it work? Yes.
Why? Like most of the masala Hindi films this also has to be enjoyed as a show. It cant get filmier than Dr. Watson trying to resurrect Sherlock total Hindi film style. I almost heard Amitabh from anand utho,baatein karo mujhse. In my head I was imagining what if Sherlock is made in Hindi in which Rajesh Khanna plays Sherlock and Amitabh plays Watson (the after effects of watching too many remakes this year). This film fails in engaging you in the mystery solving element but rather makes you wait for the next big action set piece. It has what I think the best last shot in a film this year. In Hindi films we had one in ZNMD. There is also the continuation of the bromance almost hinting towards a dostana angle. Guy Ritchie brings in a fresh set of writers and they go all out in multiplying the stuff that worked in the 1st Sherlock Holmes. This is a good example to show that even masala requires good writing. Robert Downey Jr is part Stark part Sparrow and in one of the get ups resembles the Joker but he is one big reason that makes this film works. Noomi is pheeki compared to her performance in TGWTD.
Final few words: A perfect spectacle to end the year.
Rating: *** (Good)
Ticket Meter: Run to the theatre NOW!!!
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