Robert Downey Jr.'s Sherlock Holmes Deserves a Sequel

If you're looking for another Sherlock Holmes fix beyond Young Sherlock, Guy Ritchie's action-driven take with Robert Downey Jr. remains worth revisiting. Loosely based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories, Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes refreshed the character as a period action hero and still holds a strong fan following.

The 2009 film created a new mystery rather than adapting a single Doyle tale, sending Holmes and Dr. John Watson (Jude Law) across London to confront the supposedly deceased Lord Henry Blackwood (Mark Strong) and his claimed supernatural powers. Rachel McAdams' Irene Adler also features prominently amid the film's twists and stylized set pieces.

Ritchie's focus on Holmes' love of boxing provided a springboard for remarkably choreographed fight sequences and a distinct tone that set this version apart from other re-imaginings. Downey's charismatic performance and the director's vigorous style helped turn the project into an unexpected hit and warranted a sequel.

United Kingdom, London

sherlock holmes, robert downey, guy ritchie, young sherlock, jude law, john watson, irene adler, henry blackwood, rachel mcadams, boxing