One needs to be careful when you tinker with a legendary literary character like Sherlock Holmes.

    All too often, Hollywood shows abysmal foresight and underestimates the intelligence of the filmgoing audiences by trying to update a time-honored, recognizable character... and transforms them into a jazzed-up Gen-X piece of silly cinematic flotsam that's ultimately a film flop... and a studio embarrassment.

    Thankfully, in the capable hands of trio Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law and director Guy Ritchie... their fresh new take on "Sherlock Holmes" has enough spark and action to appeal to a new modern audience... without sacrificing the intellectual brilliance that has always embodied the legendary detective.

    Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law team up to breathe new life into a novel old detective.  In the film, "Sherlock Holmes", Robert Downey Jr. plays the title character with an wonderfully unorthodox style... that makes the legendary sleuth both unusually eccentric... and yet, maintains the character's brilliant ability to solve a case from the most innocuous of clues. 

   Downey's Holmes is not quite the fashionable gentlemanly figure we've seen in screen incarnations past.  Gone are the familiar "Deerstalker" hat, cape and overgrown pipe that were mainstay props of earlier actors to play the intellectual investigator.

    Instead, Downey's incarnation of Holmes is a bit of a hairbrained, mischievous scamp... with the slightest hint that, despite his deductive genius... not everything is "all right" upstairs.   Downey plays Holmes in a way unlike anyone before.  His Sherlock Holmes shows touches of dry humor... and is often more than a bit on the quirky side.  He also has skills as a martial artist... an ability that's actually in one of the original Sherlock Holmes novels... but never explored on screen

    A bit of re-invention is also welcomed in the character of Dr. Watson.  Jude Law adds new dimension and strength to Watson... making him less an observing sidekick to Holmes' spotlight.   In this version of "Sherlock Holmes", Watson, a former war hero, is every bit as capable and daring as Holmes... capable of going toe to toe with the duo's malevolent adversaries... and their band of thuggish henchmen.

    In this film version of the classic character... as imagined by director Guy Ritchie... Holmes and Watson apprehend a ruthless serial killer named Lord Blackwood... who has a penchant for dabbling in the supernatural.  Blackwood vows to return from his date with the hangman... and, seemingly ressurected from death - begins a plot to not only enact revenge on Holmes... but also, again begins an elaborate killing spree aimed at overthrowing England - and eventually the world. 

    Holmes and Watson... find the task of beating Blackwood to be a difficult task - as the duo have to also contend with black magic, a meddling Scotland Yard... and a scheming former lost love for Holmes - played by Rachel McAdams.

    McAdams portrays Irene Adler, a roguish character herself who shares a bit of romantic history with Holmes... and the only woman with the guile and wit to best him at his own intellectual game.  Though, the literary Irene Adler in Conan Doyle's story had far less lasting impact on Holmes... in this film, director Ritchie has effectively elevated the character into an alternately effective adversary... and comely ally. 

    McAdams is stunningly beautiful in all of her scenes... and, a fine addition to the cast.  However, the real star of the film is the relationship between Downey and Law as Holmes and Watson.  Their on-screen chemistry together is pure magic... conveying almost a british version of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in their loyalty to one another as friends... counterbalanced by their mutual annoyance with one another as well... especially by Watson towards the eccentric Holmes.

   Director Guy Ritchie packs this film full of clever dialogue... and plenty of non-stop action... which has always been a hallmark of his previously smaller film crime capers, most recently "Rock N Rolla".   Ritchie captures the atmosphere of Victorian era London with style... making it a visual delight in many scenes.

    The action sequences are also quite fun and entertaining... as well as skillfully staged.  Purists of the Sherlock Holmes character may not completely agree with some of the eccentric tweaks made to their previously stodgy and proper gentleman detective. 

   However, despite the film's fast pace, action, and at times - it's "brawn over brains" approach .... the film's final scenes ultimately return to what is indeed the core of who Sherlock Holmes truly is... with a brilliant montage of intellectual crime solving and explanation by Holmes depicting the character's chief asset... his intellectual skills of deduction.

   Oh yes... lest I forget.  Dr. Moriarty, Holmes' chief adversary is never far from the scene.  Though Moriarty is seen at various points in the shadows throughout the film, plotting and scheming unbeknownst to Holmes... his lurking presence is no doubt the prelude to these dual adversaries premier face off in the inevitable sequel.

   "Sherlock Holmes" thankfully is not an attempt to totally reinvent the wheel... or, the character himself.  Yet, it does add some welcome spice... to what might have been a rehash of an all too familiar tale.

    Bottom line, "Sherlock Holmes" quirky take on this legendary literary character in the capable hands of Robert Downey Jr... again, proves the actor is one of the most talented and versatile comeback kids in all of Hollywood.

    It's that aspect... and so much more, that makes "Sherlock Holmes" a "must see" on your holiday movie going list.

     For more info about TV entertainment reporter / film critic, Tim Estiloz visit : www.Examiner.com and video reviews at Boston Latino TV : http://bostonlatino.tv/ - Visit Tim's website at : www.TimEstiloz.com