Downey Jr, as this years leading lady

Rating: 7/10 (16 December 2011)

To tell us that the opening stage of the film is set in London, we get a shot of workmen digging a hole to tell us that commencement of an underground system is underway. It made me physically laugh out loud that how one of London's greatest achievements was noted this way.
The actual film itself is a romp that is more style than content and uses a lot of Guy Richies tricks of the trades and yep he overdoes the fast editing, slow motion and flashbacks to the point of tedium. What can't be faulted is that he got another OK performance out of Britain's blandest leading man Jude Law, who for once seemed to utter two words in a row without looking as though he was distracted from his cue cards. The Jack Sparrowisms of Downey's Holmes is again entertaining and the one true thing that was captured in this film was how awful Holmes disguises are, Richie deliberately showed us that his skull caps are painted pigs leather with stuck on hair and dotted stubble.
Stephen Fry excels as Mycroft and it was brave of him to show us what a 50 year old naked man does look like from the groin up. It was a shame that Captain Tanner and the Baker Street Boys are only glimpsed at in the last couple of minutes and Eddie Marsan is not given more of a role as Inspector Lestrude.
The females Kelly Reilly, Noomi Rapace and Rachael MacAdams are underused and the actual leading lady was Robert Downey Jr went topless.
Listen out for a piece of Ennio Morriocone music from 'Two Mules For Sister Sarah' as Holmes is seen travelling after his requests for a bicycle are not met.
The film is not a waste of time, but two are enough. Yes I have helped feed the monster called Hollywood and my pennies along with other could tot up and I suspect a third outing will appear. Maybe time for a reboot and have the fun of Rathbone, with the aloofness of Jeremy Brett and the budget of Warner Bros without all the bits of gimmickry included for Guy Richie's toolbox