You would think Sir Ian McKellen would be eager to conquer any iconic role. The supporting cast does not disappoint.

The first thing “Mr. Holmes” must do is persuade the audience that this is, indeed, Sherlock Holmes. While Holmes” wits are shaky but able, die-hard Holmsians should note: “This is a series of interconnected stories that mostly eschew logic for emotion for their resolutions. Holmes, now struggling with severe memory loss, attempts to solve the decades-old death of the woman, and the pace of the film matches Holmes limited mobility. It rests entirely on script and performance- no gimmicks here. Holmes (opens Friday on 300 screens).

That’s Sherlock Holmes, embodied in his wheezy, wizened days by Ian McKellen, always a pleasure, cuts through much of the treacle inherent in an oldster/youngster bonding story, and the Roger character disposes of the rest through his sometimes cruel disdain for his working-class mother, along with his requisite intelligence and pluck. He does this on an estate accompanied by his housekeeper (a typically wonderful Laura Linney), her son (the charming Milo Parker) and his bees. Here Holmes is 93 years old and long retired to beekeeping on the English coast, in a film that’s far more contemplative, serious-minded, and leisurely than its hyperactive kin of recent years. While it will unlikely be the most memorable of Condon’s films, it will certainly be one of McKellen’s most appreciated performances, and a worthy addition to the Sherlock Holmes cannon.

In Mr. Holmes, he desperately tries to recall details of a 30-year-old case that forced him to abandon his profession, his home on Baker Street, and his friends. Grappling with the diminishing powers of his mind, Holmes comes to rely upon the boy as he revisits the circumstances of the unsolved case that forced him into retirement, and searches for answers to the mysteries of life and love – before it’s too late. But, unsurprisingly, McKellen sells the hell out of this rather moony Holmes. We get to watch old Holmes stumble, fume and doze, but also light up with memory and take pleasure simply in being.

Bill Condon’s Mr. Holmes, adapted from a novel by Mitch Cullin, offers yet another alternate take on the character.

The game’s afoot yet again and surprisingly “Mr. Holmes” (rated PG for thematic elements, some disturbing images and incidental smoking) finds a fresh and even poignant way for us to re-view the great detective.

“I thought I could leave it alone for a while but this idea about a bunch of men who all claim to be Sherlock Holmes during a period when he’s missing and presumed dead – it might bubble up into something real”, Hatcher says.

Mr. Holmes time-hops to tell four parallel stories.

“I’m a huge fan of bees now, I know quite a lot about them, I’ve seen them at close quarters”, boasts McKellen, who no longer fears them. Holmes’ wit is a bit sharper than Downey’s shark. “I wish I did – to be able to be just straightforward and base everything on the facts”. Holmes, ‘ famously accompanied by his sidekick Dr. Watson. At 76 and fresh from his return to the role of Gandalf in three Hobbit films, McKellen has the weathered face, gravitas, talent, charisma and sophistication to play Sherlock Holmes, both in his 60s and 90s.

“Like “Gods and Monsters” we deal with themes of mortality, an end-of-life summation and coming to terms with mistakes you made”, says Condon.