MANILA, Philippines?For weeks now, we?ve been looking forward to watching ?Sherlock Holmes,? Guy Ritchie?s brisk and bracing update on the reimagining of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?s traditionally dour tales about the exploits of London?s most brilliant sleuth, long before James Bond was created by Ian Fleming.

The way Ritchie has feistily reimagined him, Holmes now rivals Bond in his macho appeal and derring-do. Even his dry and crotchety associate, Dr. Watson, has been transformed into quite a dashing figure in his own right.

It?s an across-the-board transformation and reinvigoration that?s been long in coming and is doubly welcome for that fact. Of course, Ritchie?s rakishly revisionist gambit wouldn?t have worked without the enthusiastic participation and connivance of actors Robert Downey Jr. (Holmes) and Jude Law (Watson), and the vile ferocity of Mark Strong as Watson?s arch nemesis, Blackwood.

In the update?s antic plotting, Blackwood makes full use of necromancy and magic to effect the complete takeover of England?s official and financial institutions?and that?s just for starters, because his occult coven?s ultimate goal is the subjugation of the entire world!

Like Bond?s nemesis

Shades of James Bond?s own brilliant yet demented nemeses, with the added exotic touch of Blackwood?s occult pretensions and obsessions.

Early on, Holmes is able to get the villain behind bars and even effects his death sentence. But, wonder of creepy wonders, Blackwood is able to survive his own execution, scaring all of London to the point of hysteria, and it?s up to Holmes and Watson to get to the bottom of the weird and discombobulating mystery.

The film also makes it a point to involve Holmes in amazing feats of brilliant deduction and physical prowess, the better to underscore his new ?action hero? persona. Granted, Downey isn?t the most physically stunning actor in the world, but with the help of deft cinematic trickery, he?s able to pull the transformation off.

Despite these hugely diverting highlights, ?Sherlock Holmes? is occasionally deficient on point of exciting plotting and character development. The film also feels too long, with too many slow set-ups and some overly extended sequences that further slow the action down.

Everything considered, however, the film is still a viewing treat. Its relative success should encourage producers to update other ?classic? detective serials and thus make them more entertaining, accessible and ?relatable? for young viewers.

Specifically, ?Sherlock Holmes? is another bright feather in the cap of Robert Downey Jr., whose successful comeback after his long bout with addiction is one of the entertainment world?s most heartening and inspiring stories.

Downey?s comeback has been so successful that his hit performance in ?Iron Man? will have a follow-up sequel that?s showing soon, and the ending of ?Sherlock Holmes? hints at another sequel in the works for the actor?s latest iconic screen character. When it rains, it pours!