great fun

Rating: 7/10 (26 December 2009)

I'm not sure what I was expecting when I entered this film. In fact the only reason why I went to see it is mainly because of it's three killer leads. Safe to say that was reason enough. Although Guy Ritchie might not be the right director to bring this stylish and smart new franchise to it's full potential. The chemistry and style injected into the proceedings is enough to make for a wonderfully smart if at times too fast but entertaining update the classic source material. Robert Downey Jr is of course wonderful in the lead role of Sherlock Holmes. He portrays the character with a manic sensibility befitting a crazed genius with a genuinely strong physical side. He is equaled by Jude Law's brilliantly charismatic sidekick Watson who has just as much brain and braun as his counterparts but is equipped with a little less passion but a lot more common sense. They are joined by the likable Rachael McAdams in her first real meaty role since The Notebook. She stars as the love interest of Holmes a seductive, brilliant and courageous but sneaky thief. The film's only weakness is Ritchie's manic and chaotic direction which I liked more here than anyone of his films. But still the film would have benefited by having someone much more skilled behind the camera. A strong sense of cinematic artistry accompanies the film in it's set design, costumes and cinematography and it's just a really fun time. One that I will will spawn another sequel very soon.