New 'Sherlock Holmes' poster teases perfectly

Posted Monday, October 26, 2009 at 3:40 PM Central

by John Couture

There are few films that I'm looking forward to more in the balance of 2009 than Sherlock Holmes. Sure, I'm a sucker for movies set in what I like to call "Jack the Ripper London" (you know what I'm talking about), but this movie seems to re-launch the whole Sherlock Holmes character for a new generation.

And before you pile on about how I'm so anti-remake and how I'm a hypocrite for enjoying this, there's a big difference between a remake and a re-imagination. And besides, Sherlock Holmes is like Santa Claus, he's an iconic character that can given all sorts of different treatments.

If I needed further fuel for my drool fest, Cinematical provided it with the exclusive first look at the new poster. In one image, gone is the pomp and stuffiness that has long plagued the character and Robert Downey Jr.'s knowing grin belies the roller-coster ride of a good time that this film will undoubtedly be.

But, there's something more going on here. I implore you to head over to Cinematical and check out the big, high-res version. The images in the background are telling and seem to be hinting at aspects of the movie. Words are scrawled in a cursive that is barely legible as if they were taunting us to decipher them in some sort of Dan Brown way to solve some great mystery.

The bottom line is that a great movie poster is one that immediately captures your attention and holds onto it long after you pass it. In this case, the poster Sherlock Holmes passes with flying colors.