Watch Holmes and Watson [Ultra HD]

"Is that my frown or my smile?" quips John Watson (John C. Reilly) to his partner, Sherlock Holmes (Will Ferrell), after the detective forces him to tease out a smile. It is this good-natured ribbing, alongside an outrageous sensibility, that characterizes one of the latest cinematic adaptations of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's canon. Holmes (Will Ferrell) and Watson (John C. Reilly) follows the titular duo as they attempt to solve a murder plot aimed at the Queen of England (Pam Ferris) in 19th century London. Of course, their methods are hardly conventional: Holmes chugs a whole back of cocaine before solving misdemeanors, while Watson's intelligence is offset by his propensity for flatulence and slapstick humor.

Directed by Etan Cohen (Get Hard), the film functions primarily as an absurdist comedy that gently winks at the detective genre. The plot itself is elementary: the Queen's life is being threatened, and Holmes and Watson must get to the bottom of it before it's too late. However, the plot serves as a vessel for the constant silliness that pervades the film.

Much of the humor in the film is derived from the exaggerated character traits of its two protagonists. Ferrell and Reilly have a natural comedic chemistry that has been evident in previous projects, including Standard Operating Procedure and Talladega Nights. Here, that partnership is elevated by a script that incorporates bumbling physical comedy, infectious wordplay, and surprising (if occasionally gross) sight gags. Watching Ferrell sharpen his observational skills while dressed in gaudy Victorian-era clothing, or seeing Reilly's Watson break into song at inopportune times, will have audiences rolling with laughter.

Of course, part of the charm of a good Sherlock Holmes story is the character's knack for clever deductions. And while the versions of Holmes and Watson portrayed by Ferrell and Reilly are hardly brilliant deductive minds, they are still entertainingly inept in their attempts. The film makes it clear that it is not entirely focused on mimicking the trademark detective's sleuthing prowess. Instead, it's more interested in lampooning the genre tropes associated with Doyle's work.

There are some standout moments in the film that exemplify its sense of humor. One extended sequence at the British Museum, in which Holmes and Watson navigate through a seemingly never-ending maze of exhibits, recalls Ferrell's own Elf, where the comedian's naivete was played for laughs. Another follow-up scene, a self-aware bit of fourth-wall-breaking, will surely leave audiences with one of the year's more memorable running gags.

As with most comedic endeavors, not all of these moments hit their mark. Some jokes will undoubtedly land with some viewers, while others will not. Some of the more overt gags do fall flatter than others, such as when the duo pen an open letter to Jack the Ripper in the hope that he will murder more people. Nevertheless, the unevenness never manages to detract from the overall enjoyment of the film.

The supporting cast of Holmes and Watson is also worthy of note. Joining Ferrell and Reilly are Rebecca Hall as a brilliant American doctor with a penchant for martial arts, and Rob Brydon as an egotistical inspector with a surprising talent for goofily belting out a song. However, it is Hugh Laurie's appearance as Holmes' brother, Mycroft, that truly shines. The actor finds the perfect level of snarky sarcasm to make his appearance truly memorable, resulting in some of the film's biggest laughs.

Ultimately, Holmes and Watson is a silly and charming diversion that should appeal to fans of the specific comedic timing of both Ferrell and Reilly. It should also be a welcome relief to those looking for a more straightforward send-up of the Sherlock Holmes detective stories. Despite its occasional missteps, the film emerges as a satisfying and occasionally hilarious bit of absurdity.