Sherlock Holmes

I went into this film with a sense of dread for a few reasons. It was in the smaller screening room at my local cinema (hey, it only has two screens), it was a family cinema trip (which always spells trouble) and it looked sort of like a 'guy' movie, especially considering Guy Ritchie (Every single London gangster movie ever made) was directing it

However, I was totally wrong.

At the beginning of the film Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr) and Dr Watson (Jude Law) interrupt a strange religious sacrifice ceremony at a crypt, lead by Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong). Case closed, returning to Baker Street, it becomes clear that Holmes and Watson' s relationship is under some strain, due to Watson's wish to marry Mary Morstan (Kelly Reilly). A surprise call from Scotland Yard, under control by Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marson), brings with it the news that Blackwood has risen from the dead, and that the case is most definitely open. The ensuing events bring Holmes back into contact with an ex-lover and American criminal Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams), and takes him and Watson all across London, with a finale on the incomplete Tower Bridge.

The script combines humour, mystery and 12A rated violence to deliver a truly gripping tale that is reminiscent of a Victorian dective novel-religious intrigue and global domination-especially regaining a 'small colony across the Atlantic'.

The lead cast are all brilliant, Downey Jr and Law are both funny and in some places touching in a brotherly realtionship as the lead pairing, and Downey's English accent is amazing. Strong is wonderfully slimy as Blackwood and McAdams does her best with a somewhat vacous role, although she will probably become more important in the sequel (which there will quite obviously be)

There are also some great cameo performances, Hans Matheson (BBC's Tess of the d'Ubervilles) as Lord Coward, the Home Secetary and a loyal Blackwood follower and William Houston as Constalble Clerk both do very well.

I personally cannot wait until Holmes 2 makes its appearance and I hope Ritchie's work will make him want to take on more period detective-esqe pieces, and make him well-known as a film director in his own right, rather than that pop singers ex-husband.