This movie only sets up the sequel

Rating: 6/10 (1 January 2010)

To be fair, let me say up front I'm a huge Jeremy Brett fan, though I welcomed and enjoyed Robert Downey, Jr. as Holmes. The movie was pretty much exactly what I expected it to be -- incredible CGI of London, fun references (both in the script and in the sets) to other Holmes cases, etc. But (SPOILER ALERT!) introducing Moriarty into the film WITHOUT Moriarty being the primary antagonist (we never even see his face), makes this film a setup for the sequel. It is such a bold move, one wonders what in the world they would have done had the movie tanked at the box office.
I agree with some reviewers here that the story does seem incredibly contrived, almost as if Holmes, himself, has been called upon to play himself in a new movie about him. The eventual outcome doesn't seem to bother him much and, at any rate, is never in doubt (of course, it isn't, but they could have tried a bit harder to build suspense).
Also, as a Holmes fan, I found myself a bit embarrassed by how out-of- their-way the writers went to squeeze in esoteric (i.e. "Holmesian") language. Especially noticeable when Irene first visits him and talks about his favorite nuts and olives. "Trying too hard," is what I mumbled to myself.
BUT, it is a fun movie, and better than no Holmes movie at all. I look forward to the sequel when Moriarty gets a crack at SH.