A sequel? Elementary ...

Rating: Null/10 (25 January 2010)

This is not the 221b Baker Street sleuth as we are used to him, but instead a character who is as muscular as he is cerebral in an action-packed romp that starts as it goes on with lively music (Hans Zimmer) and even livelier direction (Guy Ritchie). Robert Downey Jr would not be an obvious choice to play the London detective but he is a charismatic and very accomplished actor who here affects a very passable English accent. The interplay between Holmes and his assistant Dr Watson (Jude Law) works really well, but the female characters (Rachel McAdams and Kelly Reilly) are sadly underplayed.
The sets and costumes effectively recreate late 19th century London and the depiction of a half built Tower Bridge is wonderful, although how various characters manage to climb from the depths of Parliament to the top of the bridge - quite some distance down river - utterly escapes me. So I guess it's better not to enquire too closely what is going on (it's often rather confusing), but simply enjoy the entertaining ride which sets us up nicely for a sequel in which Holmes will face off with that dastardly Moriarty.