Sherlock Holmes

Guy Ritchie has gotten a lot of flack from critics who say he’s turned the venerable Sherlock Holmes into an action hero, but his updated sleuth story is quite charming, fun and certainly energetic. Robert Downey Jr. plays neurotic genius well, and he’s a natural as Holmes, and Jude Law classes up the role of his sidekick, Dr. John Watson. As should be expected, the film revolves around the pair, who have a mystery to solve. Here it involves the dark Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong), who is involved in black magic and secret societies in London circa 1891. He is devilish in his demeanor and mysterious in his actions and words, creating chaos and the perfect caper to solve. Downey is magnificent. In fact, all the actors are good—but no one stands out quite like Downey. The only downside is the complicated storyline. There are so many players and so many pieces of the puzzle that perhaps only Sherlock Holmes can keep them all straight. In detective-movie fashion, however, at least he explains it all at the end, giving viewers reason for a second (or third) viewing. Feather River Cinemas, Paradise Cinema 7 and Tinseltown. Rated PG-13