Sherlockian

Sherlock Holmes is an ico.
For most of us of my generation, Sherlock IS Basil Rathbone and Dr. Watson IS Nigel Bruce.
There are too few of those movies because of Bruce's early death. Rathbone knew Holmes and Watson are more than a team. They are a unit. To be the perfect Holmes, he must have his perfect Watson. 
Perhaps the most perfect Holmes/Watson duo was Jeremy Brett/Edward Hardwicke.Also cut short by an early death, that partnership ended far too soon.
Some people are Sherlock purists. Good for them.
I figure Conan Doyle would be ok with a little license. 
It's arguable Guy Ritchie's version is not Sherlock Holmes at all. They are action-adverture movies set in the 1890s. 
I happen to like the two Guy Ritchie moves. Not as Sherlock Homes movies, but as fun movies. Robert Downey Jr.. is a fine actor in any role. He and Jude Law play off each other very well. 
Sherlock Holmes has always been a buddy story. The play of the two characters against each other is an integral part of each Sherlock Holmes story. In that respect Downey/Law pulls it off. 
And Jared Harris is the best Moriarity EVER.As bright as Holmes and subtle in his evil. 
I was skeptical of a modern day Sherlock when my friend Cece pointed it out to me. 
"You'll like it," she said.
When lots of people say than, you know you'll hate it, but Cece and I have known each other since 9th grade. We bonded over being the offspring of teachers in our high school. Math teachers. Lot of bonding there. So she knows me. Really KNOWS me. 
I love it. Benedict Cumberbatch (don't you love British names?) is Sherlock for the modern era. A new version couldn't be done without a few modification. Watson has a blog. Sherlock has a cigarette habit, not cocaine, although he makes 7% references occasionally. 
But Sherlock is still ignorant of things like basic astronomy. He's still awkward with women. And in love with Irene Adler. 
It can be said there was already a modern Holmes in the American TV show, House, but that was just an homage, a reference. Holmes is ignorant of social graces. House was mean. Watson was married and far less neurotic than Wilson (although I'd watch Robert Sean Leonard read the phone book -- remember him in Dead Poet's Society? I mean he was a CHILD and was incredible.) 
As for the present American show, Elementary, I can't watch it. Bringing Holmes/Watson to America is just too far. Even my son who adores Lucy Liu says it's too ridiculous to be watchable. 
But, there will always be a Holmes. And, there will be successful and disastrous versions. Perhaps the originals would be a great choice for summer reading.