Far different from its origins

Rating: 8/10 (29 July 2012)

You think you know Sherlock Holmes? Think again! Guy Ritchie has taken the classic, beloved British detective and has given him a makeover with great success. I didn't know what to think of this new take on Sherlock Holmes, but when I saw it, I was quite impressed at the degree and lengths the director and cast went to make this reboot far different from the original films from the '30s and '40s. Robert Downey, Jr. (known for Iron Man) stars as the famed detective and brings his brand of dry, sarcastic humor to the character that makes him seem dislike-able, but who really has a soft spot inside. Jude Law as a much thinner and younger Dr. John Watson is a perfect catalyst for the wise- cracking and irritating (in Watson's opinion anyway) Holmes. The two set the film in motion and do an excellent job carrying the plot and film itself with help from fellow actors Mark Strong as the villainous Lord Blackwood and Rachel McAdams (The Notebook)as the sly, but beautiful Irene Adler. This film is a thrill ride with twists and turns at every corner and one of Holmes' toughest cases till the sequel 'Game of Shadows' came out last holiday season and is now available on DVD and BluRay.