--- title: "Sherlock Holmes: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/sherlock-holmes/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/sherlock-holmes" critics_score: 60 critics_reviews: 14 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Sherlock Holmes (2009): what the critics said Critics' score 60 from 14 reviews: 6 positive, 6 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics come down mildly in favour, and the praise lands in the same two places. Robert Downey Jr’s twitchy, restless Holmes is the asset nearly everyone names, with several reviews calling his double act with Jude Law the reason the film works at all. The grimy, crowded Victorian London is the other point of agreement: the production design and cinematography are admired even by those who dislike the rest, and one or two also note the score. The reservations cluster on the balance between action and deduction. Many feel the set pieces crowd out the detective work, the mystery is thin, and the script sags or plods; Total Film finds the climax a letdown and the Los Angeles Times thinks Rachel McAdams is miscast. The spread is wide. Nearly half the reviews are mixed, and two dissent outright: The Guardian dismisses it as dull, muddled hack work, while The Hollywood Reporter calls it noisy and overstuffed. ## Evening Standard — The Standard Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. The critic finds the film erratic but hugely enjoyable, praising its affectionate take on Holmes and Victorian London. They single out the Downey Jr–Law double act and the film’s vivid atmosphere, while noting that the script feels baggy. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/elementary-but-splendidly-droll-in-sherlock-holmes-my-dear-mr-ritchie-7417921.html) ## The AV Club — Keith Phipps Rating B. 23 December 2009. Phipps finds the film a highly entertaining, propulsive blockbuster that makes a distinctive and convincing Holmes of Robert Downey Jr. He especially praises Downey’s twitchy performance and the sequences that slow down to show Holmes plotting. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/sherlock-holmes-1798207664) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 3/4. 24 December 2009. Ebert finds the film an entertaining, energetic take on Sherlock Holmes. He particularly praises the chemistry between Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/sherlock-holmes-2009) ## Empire — William Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 3 December 2009. Thomas finds the film an entertaining, promising reintroduction, though it works better as a setup than as a satisfying standalone story. He especially praises the lively Holmes–Watson partnership, while noting that the plot can feel simplistic and plodding. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/sherlock-holmes-review/) ## Screen Daily — Tim Grierson Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 4 January 2010. The page identifies this as a review of the 2009 film, but the review text is behind a paywall. The critic’s verdict and any specific praise or complaint are unavailable. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/sherlock-holmes/5009018.article) ## Slant Magazine — Ryan Stewart Rating 2.5/4. 24 December 2009. The review sees the modernization as welcome but finds the film’s relentless action often overwhelms its likable characters. It praises the gritty, immersive Victorian London while wishing for more of Holmes and Watson’s comic interplay. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/sherlock-holmes/) ## Time Out — Dave Calhoun Rating 3/5. 15 December 2009. The review frames this take on Sherlock Holmes as a tension between Guy Ritchie's directing and screenwriting. Its standfirst suggests that the divide may undermine the film, though the available text is truncated. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/sherlock-holmes) ## Total Film — Matt Mueller Rating 3/5. 22 December 2009. Mueller finds the film’s brio infectious, though its action sometimes overwhelms the detective work. He praises Downey Jr.’s lively take on Holmes and the film’s production design, while calling the Tower Bridge climax a letdown. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/sherlock-holmes-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 25 December 2009. Turan finds the film solid but not spectacular, ultimately weighed down by trying to serve too many purposes. He praises Downey Jr.’s energetic performance and Ritchie’s brisk style, while criticizing the generic action sequences and miscast Rachel McAdams. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-dec-25-la-et-sherlock-holmes25-2009dec25-story.html) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Kirk Honeycutt Fi1m's normalised score 25/100 (inferred from the text). 14 December 2009. Honeycutt finds the film a noisy, overstuffed reinvention that sacrifices suspense and character for fast-paced action. He praises the grimy London setting and polished cinematography, while noting that McAdams and Reilly bring spark to thinly written roles. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/sherlock-holmes-film-review-93807/) ## The Guardian — Catherine Shoard Fi1m's normalised score 15/100 (inferred from the text). 15 December 2009. Shoard finds the film muddled, dull and lacking confidence, dismissing it as high-end hack work. She singles out the Holmes–Watson bromance as a hollow modernization that quickly grows dull. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/dec/15/sherlock-holmes-film-review) ## HeyUGuys — Jon Lyus Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 11 May 2010. The critic enjoys the film and considers the DVD a good opportunity to revisit it, though the DVD extras are limited. They praise the engaging pairing of Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, as well as the film’s score and production detail. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/sherlock-holmes-dvd-review/) ## Eye for Film — Stephen Carty Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 14 January 2010. Carty finds Ritchie’s contemporary, action-led take better than expected, though not quite what devoted Holmes fans want. He praises the Holmes–Watson dynamic and the production, while noting that the mystery is weak. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/sherlock-holmes-film-review-by-stephen-carty) ## Den of Geek — Simon Brew Rating 3/5. 15 December 2009. Brew finds the film uneven, with a weak first half and showy direction, but ultimately an enjoyable watch. He singles out Robert Downey Jr.’s charm and performance as the film’s strongest asset. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/sherlock-holmes-review-2/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/sherlock-holmes.md