It doesn’t take much to ruin a literary classic. Mix equal parts big name director with three mediocre screenwriters, add some palatable acting talent, and let the chips fall where they may. But in this case, I absolutely refuse to focus anything but the most positive thoughts towards receiving Sherlock Holme’s latest incarnation. The list of reasons is plentiful, but on the top is the following magical fact:
Sherlock knows Kung Fu!
I don’t mean to imply that I’m not excited about beloved Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law’s participation, or the always lovely Rachel McAdams. The fact that Hans Zimmer is composing the soundtrack and Guy Ritchie is directing the film offer some reassurances as well.
But watching Sherlock Holmes in the newest trailer break out a little Wushu to counter some thuggish bare-fisted boxer’s hay maker was enough to make me yell out “fuck yeah”… although the irritated glances of the Harry Potter crowd around me served as cause for immediate regret. Even though I knew they were all thinking it too, the hypocrites.
Brothers all over the place: stick fighting like Neo, dodging bullets, catching knives from beautiful assassins. At one point he even manages to McGuyver a cattle prod together and throw some big meaty dude through a door. And yes, I just used McGuyver as a verb.
The only thing you can see him running from, in fact, is a huge Thor like hammer wielded by some scary looking dock worker- but who wouldn’t run from that? I certainly would. How appropriate that this veritable amalgam of a gift, perversion though it may be, is coming to us Christmas Day.
Suffice it to say that I’m ready for you Sherlock Holmes, and receding hairline Watson too. Even if you are both arriving sans Moriarty.
Thu, Aug 6, 2009
Film