What can I say that hasn't been said before? 'Sherlock' is brilliant. I've read all the original books and short stories, and am a huge fan of the old Jeremy Brett series, so this new offering has a lot to live up to. It does. The writing is outstanding, the direction and camera work are modern but still manage to have a Victorian feel to them, and Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman make it all real. The other cast members are every bit as good in their lesser roles. Cumberbatch's Holmes is a true sociopath. He is brilliant, but doesn't understand other people at all. He knows that he is smarter than everyone around him, and he recognizes how socially awkward he is, but there seems to be nothing he can do about it. He solves crimes because it's the only cure for the boredom which is killing him. Watching Holmes turn down many cases is part of the fun. Freeman as Watson is equally brilliant. Sherlock drives him crazy at the same time he knows that he is The Great Man's only real friend, so he struggles to keep his temper and be a faithful assistant. Of course it helps that Sherlock offers him the one thing he has missed sense his time in combat: Excitement. Danger as well, but to Watson they are the same. This modern rendition manages to turn some parts of the "canon" on it's head while still remaining faithful to the concept. What would it be like if the Sherlock Holmes stories took place today? All the basics are there, but the writers give them a nice modern twist without losing the feel of the original. Mrs Hudson is not only their landlady, but she has a past and present of her own, and the story of how she and Sherlock met is one of the shining moments of episode 1. Greg LeStrade (yes, they are on a first-name basis) is great as well, hating the idea that Holmes is so much smarter than anyone in his department, but accepting the fact that it is Holmes who solves all of the tough cases. I wasn't overly happy with the portrayal of Moriarity. I prefer the quiet "spider in the web" to the maniac presented here, but I have to admit that the character does work well within the context. So for me 'Sherlock' was well worth the money spent. It's the interactions between the characters that makes it work, and it works exceedingly well.Read full review
I watched the two remaining episodes of the first season of the new modern-day interpretation of the Sherlock Holmes stories. After the very first episode A Study in Pink, episode 2 The Blind Banker was a huge disappointment. The original Sherlock Holmes stories that featured shadowy underworld foreign gangs using secret ciphers were some of the least compelling. In this episode Holmes and Watson face off against a ruthless Chinese gang that smuggles stolen antiquities to the west and sells them off. This episode descended to using some of the hoariest clichés of that genre, such as the villains having malevolent expressions and uttering dire threats in broken English in a manner reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoon shows. They even had the proverbial damsel in distress and the villains threatening to kill her using an elaborate and diabolical device that is set in motion so that it will destroy the victim in nasty ways after a certain time. A classic scene that typifies this is from the 1964 James Bond film Goldfinger. The idea that villains go to such lengths to kill the heroes, instead of summarily executing them, is so absurd that it has been parodied mercilessly. Given the sophistication of the new Sherlock, I was frankly surprised and disappointed to see it being used here. After the major disappointment of episode 2, the third episode The Great Game restored my faith in the series. Although not quite as good as the first episode, it was far better than the second and had some recognizable elements from the books. It ends with a cliffhanger whose resolution I will have to wait to see when season 2 becomes available. Unfortunately it looks like the evil Moriarty is going to play a major role in the series. In the original stories Moriarty is mainly a sinister presence in the background who does not play any role in most of the stories. Like the stories with foreign gangs, the ones with Moriarty were those that I enjoyed the least. I can see why Conan Doyle felt it might be a good idea to create a character who could match wits with his Holmes, but the idea of a criminal mastermind having his finger in all manner of enterprises, controlling a vast array of people and pulling the wires behind the scenes was a little too much for me to swallow. The old Moriarty was supposed to be a professor of mathematics, a genius using his superb analytical mind in the service of crime. The new Moriarty, while still an evil mastermind, is quite different from the one that was envisaged by Conan Doyle and I am hoping that the writers will make him more plausible, and thus overcome my dislike of the entire evil mastermind cliché. So on to season 2!Read full review
This is the most amusing and fresh take on Sherlock Holmes in years. Unlike the bombast of the Downey/Law films (which have their own appeal, of course), this tv series is more cerebral and concerned with quirks of character and psychological profiles rather than action sequences. Though those aren't bad either, they're more of the hand-to-hand combat sort. There's a certain dreamy surreality to the odd intensity of Holmes' perceptions, and of course Watson's stalwart reliability is equally charming. The acting and chemistry between the leads is endlessly impressive. Holmes does what he does the way he does because he can't help it (and may have some mental differences). Watson helps him because he's scarred from military service. These psychological trappings enhance rather than distract from what they actors are capable of. The only problem with this DVD is that there are only 3 episodes in "series one!"Read full review
It was appropriate that BBC1's acclaimed modern retelling of the Sherlock Holmes story should triumph at the Bafta TV awards on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's birthday. The updated crime drama beat ITV1's Downton Abbey to the best drama series prize and one of its stars, Martin Freeman, won best supporting actor for his role as Doctor Watson. Freeman described the show as a "love story" between Holmes and Watson. "Not just a love story – these two people who love and need each other in a slightly dysfunctional relationship, but in a relationship that works" he said. Cumberbatch said: "It's just terrific. It's validation for what we have been doing, we went in with confidence but to come out with an award is wonderful." The writers have said that Freeman's casting developed the way in which Cumberbatch played Holmes. Journalist Victoria Thorpe says "Freeman's dependable, capable Watson unlocks this modern Holmes, a man who now describes himself a "a high-functioning sociopath" Gatiss asserts the importance of achieving the correct tone for the character. "Watson is not an idiot, although it's true that Conan Doyle always took the piss out of him," said Gatiss. "But only an idiot would surround himself with idiots." Moffat says that Freeman is : "the sort of opposite of Benedict in everything except the amount of talent ... Martin finds a sort of poetry in the ordinary man. I love the fastidious realism of everything he does. I believe everything he does. It's brand new on every take. I love it !! Specially the 1st episode were holmes and Watson get to meet for the 1st time... It's a real delight !!Read full review
Benedict Cumberbatch (Khan of Star Trek"s Into Darkness) and Martin Freeman (The Hobbit)portray two of the most beloved characters in film, Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. A BBC series has four seasons under its belt and a worldwide fan base to prove how rabidly popular this series is. A modern take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's beloved character. Brilliant writing, outstanding character acting, plots with twists when you thought you had it figured out. Fast paced dialogue, witty repartee, and humor. Season One has three 90 min. episodes much like movies with plots that keep you riveted in your seat. Quite different approach from Robert Downey's Sherlock Holmes. Do yourself a favor if you like Sherlock Holmes, this is the one to follow. Guaranteed that you'll pick up Season 2 and 3 as well.Read full review
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