A roll along adventure with a different take on the legendary crime fighting figure.

Rating: 7/10 (13 January 2010)

I for one was never a die hard Holmes fan, yet over the years as a kid I would on occasion read some of the literature of the legendary figure. As seen here director Guy Ritchie who had a much different take on Sherlock showing him more as an action and karate fighting warrior who still has crime solving skills. Anyway it's setting is in typical fashion of 1880's London you find Holmes(in a bold and fun performance from Robert Downey Jr.)as a mysterious master of disguise and clue sniffing problem solver who leaps out of buildings and fights crime with his bare knuckles just like an action super hero. In a good yet whimsical supporting role is Sherlock's good friend and sidekick Dr. Watson(Jude Law)as both carry on like old classmates, yet still serious they both have one goal in common and that's to rid London of the evil and mysterious magical Lord Blackwood(Mark Strong).
Along the way this is a film of fun fighting thrill ride chases and fun entertainment even though it seems a little exhausting as this take on Holmes shows him more of a brutal and intense brawler than as expected the norm of a book solving wizard. Introduced as an interesting thorn to the film is an ex love of Holmes that is Irene Adler(Rachel McAdams)who's a sneaky and manipulative dame in such an old fashioned Victorian way that you don't know if to take her as a good princess or evil witch type. Overall this film isn't the best I've seen yet it's explosive pace makes it a franchise because the character is enriched in great storytelling and history so this film is certainly the start of something special so enjoy it's new look and clever ways of an iconic mystery fighting figure.