I've read every Sherlock Holmes novel and short story ever written, so I guess I'm right up there in the pile of literary snobs, in a world where "singular" meant "remarkable" and a sovereign was still currency.

Yes I know purists can come off as annoying sometimes but I think it all comes down to balance. I count myself among the "Hans shot first!" base for example, but I don't have a problem with Episodes I-III in general. The spirit was there, those were indeed Star Wars movies.

Which is more than I can say for Hollywood's second Sherlock Holmes film headed by Robert Downey Jr. Between the sprawling brawls, train chases, and slapstick moments, the Hollywood-ization of Holmes is jarring. Downey looks like he's fresh off an Iron Man set, Jack Sparrow-ish swagger and all. His Sherlock is much more brawn than brains, which I suppose I should have guessed from the poster (Holmes with a machine pistol? Really?). Those "mental fight" scenes are a guilty pleasure though.

Jude Law does a good job as Watson, as he did in the previous movie, infusing the often bumbling sidekick from the books into quite the debonair doctor, holding his own against Holmes. Jared Harris plays a serviceable menancing Moriarty, and as for Rachel McAdams' Irene Adler, she might well have had "token female" stamped on her forehead.

(Spoiler alert )

Praises are due where deserved though, and the (second to last) scene is worth the price admission for its homage to the iconic fall into the icy abyss from The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, and the immortal eulogy by a sober Watson to "him who I shall ever regard as the best and wisest man I have ever known". The drama of it all is, however, broken by Hollywood's insistence on having a Happy Ending, the bane of this generation (here's looking at you, Wall-E!).

I know I may come across as pretentious, but I am merely critical because I do know what a good portrayal of the great detective would be like, and no, I don't mean Basil Rathborne coming back from the grave. Karen introduced me to the BAFTA-winning BBC mini-series Sherlock last year, and now that is how to portray Holmes. Benedict Cumberbatch captures the essence of Holmes perfectly - eccentric, borderline manic, and above all, cerebral. If you want to watch Sherlock Holmes on film, watch that. The good news is a second series of Sherlock is now running, which will be a much better use of your time.

Rating: 6/10