While many might look back fondly on Robert Downey Jr.’s Sherlock Holmes movies, there are some harsh truths that should be faced about them. While these action-packed reimaginations of Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic character were successful at the box office, they haven’t achieved the same kind of enduring cultural relevance as Downey’s turn as Iron Man in the MCU.
The Sherlock Holmes movies represent an interesting offshoot in director Guy Ritchie’s career, but when compared to other interpretations of this Victorian detective, the films often fall short. While there’s a lot to love about this action-packed and stylish take on Sherlock Holmes, it’s clear that some aspects of these Holmes movies could have been better.
The Sherlock TV Show Is A Lot Better
The first Robert Downey Jr. Sherlock Holmes movie was released just one year before the first series of the BBC’s Sherlock aired. This meant comparisons would be inevitable, and the harsh truth was that show surpᴀssed movies in almost every way. With stronger writing, better characterization, and a more compelling narrative throughline, audiences found greater depth on television.
As a contemporary adaptation, BBC’s Sherlock put a new spin on the character and was able to address modern concerns in a way that Guy Ritchie’s films couldn’t. Benedict Cumberbatch also truly made the character his own, while Downey’s performance leaned more heavily into his own persona and felt akin to Iron Man in the Victorian age.
A Game Of Shadows Was Quite Convoluted
Part of the joy of being a fan of Arthur Conan Doyle is just how well he’s able to construct a compelling mystery and keep readers guessing throughout. However, A Game of Shadows felt less like a mystery box to be unpacked and more like a frantic, action-packed spectacle that never really added up to a compelling whole.
With ᴀssᴀssins, political tensions, and anarchist bombings, A Game of Shadows was overstuffed, but this also meant it was difficult to keep track of all and remain wholly invested. Ritchie was never quite sure whether he wanted the film to be a buddy comedy, a political thriller, or a detective story, and it felt unfocused as a result.
Both Movies Have Aged Awkwardly
Sherlock Holmes was released just after the success of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, and the influence on its style is clear as day. As a prime example of Hollywood’s then-obsession with reimagining every IP as a mature, darker version of itself, the way Holmes traverses the murky, Gothic, rain-soaked streets of London could have just as well been Gotham City.
With a brooding antihero and overly stylized action sequences, the Sherlock Holmes movies were clearly products of their time, and, rewatching them today, they can feel dated in their over-the-top, frantic execution. Although there’s a lot to love about this style, it can feel jarring.
Stephen Fry’s Mycroft Could Have Been So Much More
Casting British icon Stephen Fry as Sherlock Holmes’s equally brilliant older brother, Mycroft, was a stroke of genius, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that his character was utilized poorly. With limited screen time that was mostly filled with gratuitous Sєxual gags, Fry could have brought much more to this role if given the opportunity.
Mycrof, as a character, is incredibly interesting, and to dig deeper into his dynamic with his little brother could have added extra levels of emotional intensity to the story. Unfortunately, we were limited to just a few short scenes, and audiences never truly got to know Mycroft in any meaningful way.
Lacks The Grit Of Guy Ritchie’s Best Work
As the filmmaker behind British crime classics like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, Guy Ritchie was an interesting choice of director for the Sherlock Holmes movies. With a talent for capturing the seedy underbelly of criminal organizations and street-level grit, Ritchie could excel in making a more adult-oriented version of the character that pushed Holmes into extreme territory.
However, Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes movies mostly played it safe and traded their edge to appeal to a global audience. There are hints of Ritchie’s transgressive style throughout, and he took the series in a unique direction, but it’s hard not to feel like he censored himself in a way he didn’t with his earliest films.
The Franchise Was Overshadowed By The MCU
Robert Downey Jr. achieved one of the most spectacular career comebacks of all time when he gained the role of Iron Man in 2008. This was the film that kickstarted the MCU and was quickly followed by Sherlock Holmes, a movie that, although successful, never achieved the same kind of enduring cultural footprint.
As Downey became increasingly ᴀssociated with Tony Stark through the release of Iron Man sequels and The Avengers, this negatively impacted the momentum of the Sherlock Holmes franchise. The harsh truth was that audiences were just far more interested in seeing Downey as a world-saving superhero than they were as a Victorian detective.
Rachel McAdams Was Underutilized
Rachel McAdams was a compelling love interest in Sherlock Holmes, and it was exciting to see her reprise her role as Irene Adler in A Game of Shadows. This took an even more interesting turn when it was revealed she was working for Moriarty, although rather than giving McAdams the freedom to go full villain, her character was sidelined.
With minimal runtime throughout A Game of Shadows, McAdams’ limited role was yet another example of this series failing to exploit the potential of its standout cast members. Irene’s betrayal of Sherlock could have been a major plot point in the film, yet it’s simply brushed over and never gets the exploration it deserves.
Robert Downey Jr’s Sherlock Holmes Is Nothing Like The Book Character
Sherlock Holmes took a lot of liberties when it came to their тιтular character, as Robert Downey Jr.’s role stayed quite far from what was outlined in Arthur Conan Doyle’s books. With Downey as a swaggering, wisecracking brawler, those who have never read the books will be surprised to find his literary equivalent is much calmer and more precise.
While Holmes could be unpredictable in the books, portraying him in a state of constant bravado was a significant departure from the character made famous by Doyle. Both versions have their positives, but the book pursuits may have some issues with Downey’s take on Holmes.
Moriarty Was Underdeveloped
The introduction of Jared Harris as Moriarty in A Game of Shadows was an exciting development for the series. As Sherlock Holmes’s arch-nemesis, Moriarty’s complex relationship with Holmes has always been one of the most fascinating aspects of this franchise, but the films never really lived up to the potential of the character.
Without any deep exploration of Moriarty’s personal philosophy, we’re left to fill in the gaps for ourselves and gain minimal insight into his origins or why exactly he’s such an equal to Holmes. This is in stark contrast to Andrew Scott’s portrayal of Moriarty in the BBC’s Sherlock, which stands out as one of the best parts of the show.
That Third Sherlock Holmes Movie Probably Isn’t Coming
Plans for a third Sherlock Holmes movie have been in development since 2011, but with each pᴀssing year, they have felt increasingly unlikely. The momentum for this franchise has sadly died down entirely, and although Downey (via TheWrap) claims it’s still a “priority” for him, fans who have been waiting almost a decade and a half shouldn’t hold their breath.
So much time has pᴀssed since A Game of Shadows that returning to the series now would feel more like a legacy sequel than a true trilogy. It could still happen one day, but with so many false starts and announcements that came to nothing, the future of the Sherlock Holmes franchise feels elementary at best, yet improbable in practice.
Source: TheWrap
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
- Movie(s)
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Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
