Sherlock Holmes will always be remembered for his right hook, six-pack abs and his method of always resorting to fisticuffs to solve mysteries.

Well, at least according to director Guy Ritchie.

If you’re expecting to find the intuitive, brilliant and classy detective from the series of Arthur Conan Doyle books in the latest film adaptation of the timeless character, stay at the library.

That’s not to say Ritchie’s take on Holmes in the film named after the sleuth is a poor effort — it’s just not one that is in any way loyal to the character.

Robert Downey Jr. continues his hot streak of big blockbuster roles by starring as Holmes, whom we find well into his career.

The film opens with he and his cohort Dr. Watson (Jude Law) apprehending the sadistic Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong), just as he is about to perform a sacrifice.

Blackwood is sentenced to death and calls for Holmes’ presence at his execution.

There, he warns the detective that three murders will soon take place and change his life.

Buying none of that, Holmes tackles his next case, brought to his desk by the only person whose ever outwitted him, the gorgeous (of course) Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams).

Shortly after being put to death, Blackwood pulls a Jason Vorhees and disappears from his grave to wreak his guaranteed havoc.

It may indeed be elementary, but “Sherlock Holmes” is entertaining as just about any other PG-13 franchise film the big studio films have been cranking out in the past few years.

But that formula, at times, doesn’t work quite well here.

The 1999 Will Smith flop, “Wild Wild West” comes to mind where we are treated to a history lesson where the old west in the 19th century was filled with giant robots.

Not saying that “Sherlock Holmes” is grossly inaccurate, but Ritchie just doesn’t capture the 1891 essence.

The over-the-top fight scenes, the immature bondage joke, those are devices that Doyle nor any other author alive at the time would use and it obliterates the illusion.

Perhaps the biggest gripe is the absence of Professor Moriarty, the most frequent adversary from the Doyle books, who is replaced by Blackwood, a stock, forgettable and lifeless villain.

It’s unfortunate that Doyle’s universe had to be dumbed down, but few people enter theaters expecting an intellectual exercise from a major studio movie.

But for the average moviegoer looking for a popcorn accompaniment — who, at this point vastly outweigh the number of diehard Sherlock Holmes fans counting on references to the series of novels — it’s solid entertainment.

The script is exceptionally witty, and that’s something Downey takes full advantage of.

There’s just something about Downey’s ability to play fast-talking and slick characters and he has that in spades here.