Robert Downey Jr.’s Sherlock Holmes in Guy Ritchie’s movies is 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’s Sherlock Holmes movies, released in 2009 and 2011. Starring Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes and Jude Law as Dr. John Watson, Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes took the audience back to 1891 London to follow the detective and his best friend as they investigate the crimes of Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong). Both Sherlock Holmes movies 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 defining characteristics of Sherlock Holmes and emphasizes others, such as his bluntness and his combat skills, the latter an often forgotten talent of the detective in the books.
Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes movies 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’s Sherlock Holmes even 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’s Sherlock Holmes movies 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, as many found all the action didn’t fit the character.
While some critics were welcoming of the action-packed plots of Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes movies, 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 Holmes has a 69% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, with A Game of Shadows going 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’s Sherlock Holmes movies, this was ultimately one of their strengths. As mentioned above, action scenes and Holmes fighting aren’t unique to Ritchie’s movies, as in 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’s Sherlock Holmes movies 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, sH๏τ, 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’s Sherlock Holmes movies 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 “compeтιтion” was the BBC’s TV series Sherlock, created by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat. Sherlock stood 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.
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 a third Sherlock Holmes movie from Guy Ritchie’s universe or not, his adaptations have won a spot among the best ones in recent years.
Sherlock Holmes
- Created by
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Guy Ritchie, Lionel Wigram
- First Film
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Sherlock Holmes
- Latest Film
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Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
- Upcoming Films
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Sherlock Holmes 3
- Cast
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Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Jared Harris, Noomi Rapace, Stephen Fry, Kelly Reilly
Summary
The Sherlock Holmes franchise, starring Robert Downey Jr. as the тιтular detective, reimagines Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s iconic character in a fast-paced, action-packed style. Directed by Guy Ritchie, the films blend period mystery with modern action, emphasizing Holmes’ analytical mind and unorthodox methods. Alongside Dr. John Watson, played by Jude Law, Holmes faces off against nefarious criminal masterminds, including Lord Blackwood and Professor Moriarty. The films have been commercially successful, earning praise for Downey’s unique portrayal of Holmes and Ritchie’s energetic direction. A third film has been in development, keeping the excitement for the franchise alive.
