Fansof the world’s most popular detective took to the streets of Londonon Tuesday for the world premiere of the latest cinematic take on thepipe-smoking sleuth. British director Guy Ritchie presented hisversion of the Victorian detective at a red-carpet ceremony attendedby the film’s stars Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, as well as manyother top-notch celebrities. 

Ritchiewill be hoping that his latest film will find favor with the viewingpublic following the failure of recent ‘turkeys’ such asRocknrolla or Swept Away, which featured a much-derided performancefrom ex-wife Madonna. 

Thenew film sees the character of Sherlock Holmes re-imagined as abullet-dodging action hero rather than the more cerebralprotagonist of the short stories and novels by Sir Arthur ConanDoyle. Indeed some critics have suggested that the‘Hollywood-ization’ of Holmes extends even to the film’sstoryline. Holmes’ cases usually focus on particular crimes, suchas murder or blackmail, committed by individuals; however, Ritchie’sHolmes must face a supernatural enemy who plans to return from thedead, infiltrate parliament, and take over the world. 

TheAmerican actor who plays Sherlock Holmes has done a remarkable job inadopting a refined English accent for the role and has spoken of hisexperience of handling the complexities of Holmes’ character.

"He[Holmes] is tortured by anything that is mundane," said DowneyJr.

"Thenagain Holmes says there is nothing more stimulating than a case wherenothing goes your way, so he’s a bit of a weirdo," Downey Jradded.

Soif you are a fan of the greatest fictional detective, you can trackhim down to a cinema soon.