The iconic character of Sherlock Holmes is once again making a comeback in this new film from director Guy Ritchie. His previous work on both ‘Sherlock Holmes’ in 2009 and ‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows’ in 2011 proved a hit with audiences.
The film also introduces a new villain, Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong), a devotee of the dark arts who has killed five young women in a ritualistic fashion. As Blackwood begins to seem to rise from the grave, Holmes and Watson get entangled in a series of experiments that attempt to merge science with magic.
Sherlock Holmes (RDJ)
The great detective Sherlock Holmes is still one of the most popular characters in cinema history. He embodies the best of British values, and he is an icon to many people.
He was created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a doctor who had always been an avid reader of mystery stories. He eventually turned to writing fiction, which became more enjoyable than his medical practice.
As a result, he developed the character of Sherlock Holmes. He also wrote numerous novels and short stories based on the Holmes character.
In this film, RDJ plays the role of Holmes, swapping out his futuristic armor for a pipe and fiddle. He is a likable actor and brings an effervescent wit and supreme charm to the role of Holmes. He pairs well with Jude Law as his devoted sidekick Dr. Watson, who is much smarter than past incarnations of the character.
Dr. Watson (Jude Law)
Doctor John Watson (Jude Law) is a medical doctor and best friend of Sherlock Holmes. He is a central character in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s stories.
Watson is a loyal, sarcastic, humble, polite, smart, stubborn and selfless person who loves his friends and family. He is very brave and a talented healer.
When he is not working as a doctor, Watson is an active member of the British Army. He is known for his steadfast commitment to his country.
He also is a shrewd and intelligent investigator of crimes. He is able to match deductions with Holmes and has a keen eye for detail.
In the films, Watson wears a brown suit with a striped shirt and detachable white collar. He wears a pair of brown leather suspenders with gold adjusters on the fishmouth rear. The trousers are high-waisted, have a straight front button fly and two side pockets. The coat is a light brown slip-on topcoat with large notch lapels and a 3-button single-breasted front. The boots are a pair of balmoral plain-toe half-boots with a laced front.
Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams)
The daintiest woman on this planet, Irene Adler is a character that stamps itself into the minds of those who encounter her in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s “A Scandal in Bohemia.”
When Holmes is approached by the King of Bohemia (Wilhelm Gottsreich Sigismond von Ormstein), who is threatening to send the family a photograph of his affair with Adler some years before, he sets out to recover it. Adler is a tough nut to crack, and Sherlock uses a series of ruses and disguises to get into her good graces.
When she finally catches up with him, Adler shows him a naked face and asks for his help in finding her son who has been taken hostage by her ex-husband. She becomes an ally of Holmes and Watson, who eventually chase down Moriarty throughout Europe in hopes of thwarting his plans before they become a reality.
Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong)
When Scotland Yard’s Inspector Lestrade and his uniformed police officers rescue a young woman from an occult murderer, they find the villain’s name is Lord Blackwood. Blackwood has killed five women similar to his previous victims, and he is sentenced to death.
When Holmes arrives at the prison to meet with Blackwood, he notices that he scrawled occult symbols and inscriptions on the walls of his cell. He warns Holmes that he is planning three more unstoppable deaths.
He’s not wrong: Strong plays a devilishly good Lord Blackwood, an aristocratic serial killer who dabbles in the occult to coerce others to do his bidding. He’s a convincing and terrifying threat to the duo, ably aided by Rousselot’s excellent lighting.
Strong, who also played a professional thief opposite Rachel McAdams in the 2010 hit “Robin Hood,” has carved out an impressive career in supporting roles for some of the world’s greatest directors. It’s a testament to his talent and his ability to believably play bad guys that he can make this role so compelling.
