Robert Downey Jr.’sSherlock HolmesinGuy Ritchie’s moviesis one of the most popular and beloved versions of the Great Detective in recent years, and its biggest problem is also what made the movies so good. In 1887, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle introduced the world to Sherlock Holmes, a “consulting detective” with unbelievable deduction skills. Sherlock Holmes became one of the most popular literary characters ever, and as such, he and his stories have been adapted to other media for over a century.
One of the most popular movie adaptations of the Great Detective is Guy Ritchie’sSherlock Holmesmovies, released in 2009 and 2011. Starring Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Dr. John Watson, Ritchie’sSherlock Holmestook the audience back to 1891 London to follow the detective and his best friend as they investigate the crimes of Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong). BothSherlock Holmesmovies were a success, with the sequel ending on a cliffhanger after Holmes’ supposed death.Downey Jr.’s performance as Holmes has been praised, and its biggest problem is actually the movies’ strength.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Sherlock Movies Were Criticized For Having Too Much Action
This Sherlock Holmes Put His Combat Skills To Good Use
Sherlock Holmes as portrayed in Conan Doyle’s books is known for his deduction and observation skills, his expertise on a variety of topics, and for being very direct. Over the years, the different adaptations of the detective have kept these key characteristics, though many have exaggerated most of them. Downey Jr.’s version has the definingcharacteristics of Sherlock Holmesand emphasizes others, such as his bluntness and his combat skills, the latter an often forgotten talent of the detective in the books.
Ritchie’sSherlock Holmesmovies are more action-driven than most adaptations of the character, with Holmes, Watson, and Irene Adler at the front and center of some exciting action scenes.
Ritchie’sSherlock Holmeseven shows the detective participating in underground fights in its first minutes, giving the audience a taste of the action they’re about to get. Ritchie’sSherlock Holmesmovies are more action-driven than most adaptations of the character, with Holmes, Watson, and Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) at the front and center of some exciting action scenes. Although this isn’t surprising in Ritchie’s movies, it drew criticism for being Sherlock Holmes movies, asmany found all the action didn’t fit the character.
While some critics were welcoming of the action-packed plots of Ritchie’sSherlock Holmesmovies, others found it was too much, too distracting from the actual mystery, that it was a device to attract a young audience, and some even called it “numbing.” As a result,Sherlock Holmeshas a 69% critics score onRotten Tomatoes, withA Game of Shadowsgoing lower with 60%, though both are still considered “fresh.”
The Action Was One Of The Best Things About Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes Franchise
Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes Movies Stand Out
Despite negative criticism of the action in Ritchie’sSherlock Holmesmovies, this was ultimately one of their strengths. As mentioned above, action scenes and Holmes fighting aren’t unique to Ritchie’s movies, asin the books, it’s mentioned that Holmes is skilled in combat, even if he doesn’t resort to those abilities often. Of course, as this is a Guy Ritchie movie, this aspect of Sherlock Holmes lore was going to be enhanced, and it does add a nice pace to the movies. As entertaining and intriguing as the cases of Holmes are, on the big screen it could become tedious at some point.
The action scenes in Ritchie’sSherlock Holmesmovies are justified and keep the audience’s attention throughout the story, and, let’s be honest, they are very entertaining to watch. The scenes are well choreographed, shot, and written into the plot, making them feel like part of the story rather than random action scenes for entertaining purposes.
These are also what made these stories feel like Guy Ritchie’s movies, as his works are known for being action-packed but in good doses – most aren’t full-on action movies, but they have some fitting action scenes that make them more enjoyable. The action-packed plots might not fit the idea of Sherlock Holmes that many have, but they definitely aren’t out of character, and they fit with Ritchie’s style and vision.
It’s Good That RDJ’s Sherlock Holmes Was Different Enough From Other Versions
Every Version Of Sherlock Holmes Should Have Something That Makes It Different
Of course, all the action in Ritchie’sSherlock Holmesmovies also made Downey Jr.’s version of the character stand out from others, mostly those that came out around the same time. The movies’ biggest “competition” was the BBC’s TV seriesSherlock, created by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat.Sherlockstood out for being a modern-day adaptation of the detective, his cases, and the characters who accompanied him, bringing him to present-day London. Benedict Cumberbatch starred as Holmes, and he was a more blunt and even anti-social version of the detective.
RDJ vs Benedict Cumberbatch: Who The Better Sherlock Holmes Is
Robert Downey Jr. and Benedict Cumberbatch have played different versions of Sherlock Holmes, but who did it best? Here’s what to take into account.
Although Cumberbatch’s Holmes also had his action scenes, these were a lot calmer than those in Ritchie’s movies, and the focus was more on following Holmes’ train of thought.Downey Jr.’s Holmes and Cumberbatch’s are very different, which was great for both as they had their own space, and the audience could enjoy both without comparing every aspect. Whether there’s athirdSherlock Holmesmoviefrom Guy Ritchie’s universe or not, his adaptations have won a spot among the best ones in recent years.
