Conan Doyle for "actionists"... Well directed and played though

Rating: 8/10 (9 February 2013)

The script is rather loosely based on Conan Doyle's characters and events, enabling to create a story beyond - luckily without much of incredibility. The events roll and they are inter-twisted and at multiple levels; thanks to explanations and flashbacks they are easier to follow. The characters are deliberated well and even smaller appearances have a significance and are played by decent performers. The cast is, of course, great, combining excellent male actors from both sides of Atlantic - Robert Downey, Jr. as Sherlock Holmes, Jude Law as Dr. John Watson, Mark Strong as Lord Blackwood, Eddie Marsan as Inspector Lestrade... Holmes-Watson dialogs are catchy, there are "sizzles" and chemistry between them is spite of their mood. Female characters are rather sketchy, Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler was uninviting to me; Kelly Reilly (as Mary) is more talented actress, but she spent too little time on screen.
A pleasant action movie to spend around 2 hours with - perhaps not then if you are serious admirer of Conan Doyle's works. Jumping and kicking-butt were not the characteristics Holmes and Watson were famous for :)