"Sherlock Holmes" review: spot-on performances, fun, clever, edgy, plus some well balanced action

Did I say too much in the header before I actually got to the review? LOL! Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law couldn't be better as Arthur Conan Doyle's deductive duo, turning the action and daring do up a few notches, and bringing Holmes and Watson into the 21st Century with style and a really fresh story.

Here's the second movie I've seen this Christmas, the other being "Avatar", that I can't wait to see again! Guy Ritchie's standout cinematic flair adds much to this retelling. Some really clever flash forwards and reverses are often surprising and definitely entertaining. Holmes explanations of how he will apprehend or physically take out a perpetrator are almost "Matrix" like, but never overplayed and always original. Robert Downey, Jr. continues to ride high after his amazing success with "Iron Man", and he's right at home inhabiting a slightly more wild haired version of Sherlock. Plus, Dr. Watson no longer sits around saying just saying "Holmes!!!" all the time. Even though that was one the trademarks of the books and movies, Jude Law's Watson is all about joining the action. But action never overtakes what is ultimately a detective story, and that's never forgotten. Together, the repore and banter these two have while getting themselves in and out of trouble is the glue that makes this movie so much fun and exciting.

Mark Strong is very affective as the villain and, after a bit of an absence, I'm really glad to see Rachel McAdams back in a good major motion picture. "The Time Traveler's Wife" didn't do much for her career, and she's having far more fun in "Sherlock" portraying the only true romantic match for Holmes (there's a history) who just happens to be one of his arch nemesis. Hans Zimmer again rolls out a rousing score, balancing Victorian themes that aren't overly stylized with occasional fun, edgy banjo romps.

Most of Sherlock Holmes tradmark accessories are nicely included here, especially a smarter version of his ever present pipe, and the violin, which sometimes accentuates the quirkiness of character and the wheels turning the way only Robert Downey, Jr. can turn them. Did I say he's great in this role? O.K. so I'll say it again.

I've always been a fan of the Sherlock Holmes character; from some of the books I read when I was a teenager, through the Basil Rathbone series of movies, and onward to Nicol Williamson's brilliant performance in "The Seven Percent Solution". Even though the volume has been turned up a bit, I never felt like what they were trying to achieve was 'too loud', so to speak. And yes I'm going to say it....like "Star Trek" unfortunately was this past summer! I hope Guy Ritchie and the entire cast return to make another one of these because I'm ready for more. Go see it!