Sherlock Holmes (2009)

I went into Sherlock Holmes fully expecting to dislike it immensely for a few reasons. First of all its Guy Ritchie's first film where he hasn't had a credit in the writing process. Now those of you who have seen Revolver and Swept Away will say thats not a bad thing, but as he has shown with Rock'n'Rolla, Snatch and Lock, Stock he does have a keen ear for dialogue and manages to make the lowest of the low in the criminal underworld extremely likeable.
Another reason would be the casting of Jude Law as the loyal Dr. Watson. There's something about his name on a film's poster that manages to turn me off straight away, much like Adam Sandler or Katherine Heigl, because no matter what sort of character he's playing its always just his smug face on the screen. However, in Sherlock Holmes he is a revelation, playing the character perfectly understated to allow Robert Downey Jr the time to  shine on screen as the eccentric detective. The chemistry between the two is formidable and somewhat borderline homoerotic. Or maybe thats just me.
I didn't manage to watch this version of Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous character's exploits until after I had watched the BBC's recent, modern day incarnation which was a masterpiece of television and gave the BBC a well deserved hit. But this version stands alongside it rather than in its shadow.
The story and narrative are so wonderfully confusing and multi-layered that there was a point near to the end of the film where I was practically jumping around, cursing and pledging to award this film one star due to several ends not being tied up, but naturally all is explained in Holmes' unique style. To boot we can add a sinister performance from Mark Strong (fast becoming a stalwart of villainy) as the apparently undead Lord Black and Kelly Reilly in the role of Watson's put upon but feisty fiance, she surely deserves to have her character vastlty expanded in the forthcoming sequel.
The only mis-step for me was the casting of Rachel McAdams as Irene Adler, the obligatory love interest for Sherlock and "only person to ever outwit the detective". Unfortunately, Holmes is an interesting character in his own right and the relationship between himself and Watson should be the one at the forefront of the story making her inclusion more of a distraction than anything. Her addition comes across as the interference of a studio insisting on some Hollywood glamour to accompany the two male leads.
That being said this is still a greatly enjoyable film and its something of a masterstroke introducing Moriarty as the detective's nemesis but keeping him hidden in the shadows, ready for the sequel. I'm giving this film four stars, it could of been five if it wasn't for the absence of a magnifying glass and deerstalker hat.