Ritchie's best film? Elementary, of course!

Rating: 7/10 (5 January 2010)

Some of the sleuthing was very 'Hollywood'. There didn't appear to be much in the way of foreshadowing for viewers who like to play along and solve the mystery with Holmes step-by-step (I don't happen to be one of those people, however, so I didn't mind ) Downey's chemistry with the rest of the cast was excellent. The production design was great, and there were one or two stunning set-pieces carefully crafted and choreographed within the story.
Mark Strong did very well with what seemed to me to be a very underwritten bad guy So much time is spent upon establishing the relationship between Holmes and Watson and setting up the mystery, that the villain's motivation and grand master plan doesn't receive the depth of explanation it perhaps warrants. This facet of the plot is pretty much dealt with in its entirety using only one scene.
For those seeking more of an action-adventure than a procedural, this should be a treat. Stands in my opinion as Guy Ritchie's best film yet (although since I didn't like him much in the first place, that's perhaps not saying much!)