Firstly I have to say I love the new re-imagining of Sherlock Holmes. It’s a cliché at this point for an established character to get a gritty reboot, but some fantastic films have come of it (Christopher Nolan’s Batmans for some) and I think the Sherlocks will stand the test of time.

Holmes is the original example of the intelligent, drug-addled, anti-social, anti-hero that’s smeared all over your screens these days. It’s technically his fault though, as House was the first contemporary example of this archetype, and he was always intended to be a modern Sherlock Holmes.

(House/Holmes, the drug addict thing, the complete disregard for social niceties, the puzzling cases). So we’ll excuse him for seeming like a cliché, because he was actually the first one.

Usually I’m the first to dismiss a film out of hand for being a sequel or a remake, and this film is both. But the first Sherlock won me over immediately with its technique of slowing down Holmes’s super fast thought processes and physical movements, explaining them coherently, and then zipping to normal speed and beating up a guy! It’s fantastic. Also, I’m a massive fan of Robert Downey, Jr.

I think his off-hand, debonair, tousled, just got out of a bed full of hookers at three in the afternoon, scruffy, sexy demeanour is perfect for Sherlock Holmes. Despite appearances, lack of tact and consideration, and apparent disregard for personal health, he’s an intensely intelligent man, whose keen eye for detail notices things an average person would dismiss as irrelevant. Also he looks great in make-up.

This film sees him finally meet his infamous arch-enemy Professor James Moriarty. Holmes is investigating a series of seemingly unrelated murders, terrorist attacks, and business acquisitions that he believes are somehow connected to Moriarty. However, Moriarty is a famous, well-respected man in society, and is highly cunning when it comes to covering his tracks.

The film starts with Holmes’s erstwhile adversary, current lover, and employee of Moriarty, Irene Adler, delivering a package to a man named Dr. Hoffmanstahl. Holmes intercepts it before it explodes, and realising that it was linked to Moriarty, proceeds to search for its recipient; a gypsy called Simza. She and her brother were formely in a terrorist organization, which Holmes thinks is linked to Moriarty’s masterplan. This starts a chain of events that unravel the complex interwoven plot.

I liked this film a lot. I think Guy Ritchie’s swift, cutting directorial style perfectly parallels Holmes’s actions and thought-processes, even if I think Ritchie is borrowing a lot from Edgar Wright (watch Spaced or Shaun of the Dead to see what I mean). I also enjoyed Jude Law in his third performance so far as a person that isn’t annoying. He’s nearly won me over.

My only problem is that Holmes is still “collaborating” with his enemy, Irene Adler. He knows she works for Moriarty, and that he’s planning some serious evil, and yet he continues to canoodle. Maybe even the most intelligent man in Britain can be overcome by a nice bosom. Principles over passion next time, Holmes.

A highlight of the film is Stephen Fry’s performance as Mycroft Holmes, Sherlock’s equally intelligent, eccentric older brother. If you’ve ever wanted to see him naked, this film is for you. I’d give it 8 Lazenby’s Soap Squares out of 10. If you like this film I’d highly recommend that you also watch the BBC series Sherlock, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as Doctor Watson.

Tanya Branagan