Swashbuckling London Duo

Rating: 9/10 (14 September 2010)

I was somewhat trepidatious as I hit the "play" button on the DVR for this video entree. Would this be a Guy Ritchie explosion of madcap high-jinks with little or no homage to the old Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce style of the mid 20th century? Yet, alas, I got both: a wild and woolly Holmes and Watson, both adept martial art practitioners in our version here, and a decidedly deductive and intellectually astute Holmes, portrayed exquisitely by R. Downey, Jr. Dr. Watson's character also gets no short shrift here as J. Law adds logic, subtle wit and resourcefulness to his character, much unlike the rather bungling and shortsighted character of N. Bruce's rendition. This is neither a knock on Mr. Bruce, as his raison d'etre was precisely to be a counterpoint to the ever-so-shrewd Holmes of yore, nor on the old Sherlock Holmes episodes in general. This new version is fresh and invigorating, yet it doesn't diminish my appreciation of those most enjoyable episodes with B. Rathbone and N. Bruce at the helm.
So enter the madcap yet logical progressions of events ever so deftly conjured up by G. Ritchie and Co. A truly visual and poignant unfolding of a most clever story line mixed in with superior visual effects and creative casting make this a treat to watch. One most probably will have to view this film several times (I did!) before all the hints, tricks and flashback clues are assimilated and digested... but that's where the "Rewind" button comes in handy!
So Kudos for all, as too many names would require "shout-outs" to list here in this most captivating adaptation. In closing, my only question is: Do I see a "Moriarty" looming on the horizon?? He never seems too far away!!