For adults, this is a very engrossing movie, with Guy Ritchie's famously edgy directing style. It's not your grandmother's stodgy Sherlock Holmes story--it's very fast, full of action and interesting visual effects, and it's very dark. There's little sexual content, but the one visual you DO get is not over fast and is going to be hard to explain to kids. Lots of slow-motion takes of how Holmes fights his way out of sleuthing situations or his cage-fighting hobby (Yes! Really!), with blood and sounds of bones crunching. Again, for an adult, this is a very engaging story with a satisfying ending, but it is violent and dark.
I don't see younger kids enjoying...only older teens.
Just got back from the movie and I'm glad I didn't take my children....my 12 year old wanted to go. It wasn't so much the violence of it that bothered me, but more of the dark tone of all the black magic stuff. Just kind of a dark movie that left me very glad I didn't live during that time period. I rated it 15 & older just because it was kind of hard to follow. It seemed to drag on a bit and I think it would be boring for those younger than that (other than all the violence, of course.) I'm definitely more of an action or romantic comedy type and this movie wasn't my cup of tea. The previews at the beginning were really bad..everything was either a horror or some kind of a sci-fi strange thing. They weren't kid friendly for anyone under 17!
I don't know that I would say "too" violent, but definitely some serious fight scenes. Fairly mild for a Guy Ritchie movie though. Several dead bodies, including a few hangings. The movie was a bit too long, but in general a decent film. The banter was quick, and the plot was interesting but not confusing. Both Holmes and Watson had some personal issues that are mentioned or alluded to frequently (drinking and gambling, respectively), but they are dedicated friends.
I took my whole family to see this over New Year's and everyone (10-46) loved it. It did have some violence, but nothing different from tv. As far as the dead bodies are concerned, if your child watches 'Bones' or 'CSI', this is no different. I feel this version is closer to the books, which is great. It really stressed the relationship between Holmes and Watson. There is great chemistry between Jude Law and Robert Downey, Jr. This movie has the same romping fun as the 'Pirate's' movies. The actors seem to be having quite a bit of fun. There is a lead in for a sequel.
I went to see it before letting my 16 and 13 year olds watch it. It was definitely violent, but nothing worse than some of the things I've seen in movies like Pirates of the Carribbean.
It was a very well-directed movie with lots of action and character development that made it enjoyable to watch.
I will feel perfectly fine letting my kids watch it.
The movie's themes are fairly dark, dealing with crime and the supernatural in a fairly Gothic style. I agree with the comments that a lot of the film will go over the younger viewer's head (as it did for my 12 year old son), but in an era where kids as young as 10 and 11 have read the increasingly dark Harry Potter series, if you feel that your child can handle darker themes and imagery (a corpse with maggots on its' face, frogs being boiled and dissected) then this movie is likely to be okay for kids 12 and older.
The reason I am going to give this movie a bad review is because of the spiritism that is involved in it. I really can't put an age on that. So for anybody who wants nothing to do with the occult, don't go to this movie. My family and I walked out on it.
Not very good, overall. I am not a fan of Guy Ritchie. Parents: There's action, violence, murder, dead bodies, chilling rituals, and some suggestive content. bottom Line: Even with action, violence, and murder, it's still not very interesting. If you're dying for Robert Downey Jr., try Iron Man (1 or 2 will do). Thanks for readng! - Movie Man
My favorite movie, But there are some inappropriate bits
If it weren't for a few problems, I would suggest it to everyone. The biggest issue is the sexual content, I'd say. Personally, I don't care about the drinking and pipe smoking in the movie. There is satanic religion in the movie that gets pretty freaky, but it ends well. No religions are attacked, really. There was some language. If it weren't for these things, I would give the movie 5 stars. It really was brilliant. Robert Downy Jr. and Jude Law worked very well together. The writing and filming were both excellent. This is most definitely my favorite movie.
We always check reviews before seeing films with our teen boys (16 and 13). I didnt hear any offensive language, if there was it was very minimal. Yes, its violent but its CGI and its beautifully done. As for the occult, its like the Harry Potter movies in the sense of you as parents should be the barometer of reality for your family. If you say its not real and its not appropriate, then that's how your children will view it. Mine saw it as simply part of the story, nothing more or less. We are exceptionally picky about what out boys watch and my favorite part of the entire movie was the close bond between Holmes and Watson. Over and over again, they reinforce their friendship to each other. True friendship, the ability to love one another, is what we are commanded to do. And Holmes and Watson are willing to give their lives for each other because of this friendship. Doesnt get better than that!! Go see this movie =)
Great and Smart movie, not for kids under 13-14 though, because of rituals and satanism implicated, darkish theme, lots of violence, and one sexual comment, it's way too smart for someone under the age of 14, kids at that age or generally kids under 17-18 wont be so interested in it; they generally like teen-movies, but it's ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES EVER if you're an adult and someone who likes breathtaking intelligence that goes out of borders !!!
I saw this movie 2 times, it was so interesting. The plot is intense, and some parts about the mystery really had me stumped til the end.
Then acting was good, and fans of Sherlock Holmes will like it. There is some violence, but nothing overly graphic.
Sherlock Holmes. Great fun. A little gritty. Definitely for 14+
Loved this movie. The lines come so fast that you could watch it with a fourteen year old and they probably wouldn't even catch everything (unless they're British).
Each parent is different but this movie has some gritty fist fights, some comical action violence scenes, a dead body, a hanging, and a woman who almost stabs herself. If you think any of this is inappropriate for your kids then I don't recommend it.
I would say that I will definitely consider letting my 12 year old watch this. While there is some drinking, and Sherlock Holmes has a side that is less that admirable in some aspects, we have open conversations about these issues. This is not a bad movie for tweens and teens, but again it depends on your kid.
To me, all the actors seemed to do their roles well, and it had an interesting plot. Although he often is drinking or doing some sort of drug, Holmes shows loyalty both to his friends and his country, which is a good message. Watson also shows this, and seems to have his life in order a little more then Holmes. The action is good, and the plot is not very predictable, compared to other movies. I honestly don't know why this is given only 3 stars. It is one of my favorite movies I have seen in a while.
Loved this movie. My 11-year old and 13-year-old didn't move -- except to fall over laughing at some of the funny dialogue.
Great action sequences -- and a good mystery.