Sherlock Holmes Movie..

Omagh, Northern Ireland
January 10, 2010 7:02pm CST
Have You seen this Movie? Have you been a reader of the Holmes books,now or in the past,or been a viewer of previous movie or tv versions of this iconic Character? I quite enjoyed the Movie,being a reader of the books,and not so much of the previous movie or TV output..but I think it brought the London setting for the Holmes stories to vibrant,eventful life! You could boil the Movie down to being a Buddy Movie,with Holmes and his Friend,Dr Watson as the Leads (Robert Downey,Jr,and Jude Law respectively)..The books are pretty much Guys only stories,with little female contribution,apart from the Stalwart housekeeper,and the occasional female Client..The Movie lifts Holmes' one female Adversary from the books,Irene Adler,and gives Her a sizeable role..Lestrade of the Yard is the Detective usually left holding Holmes' coat at a crime scene,and various baddies chew the scenery..Not being that familiar with London in Victorian times,or even present day,apparently there are goofs in the geography..eg-how does one character get from The Palace of Westminster to Tower Bridge on foot in a few minutes when apparently they're separated by several miles in reality?! It's a minor issue if you don't have the London Cabbie's "Knowledge".. So..What do you think? would you go see this Movie,or not?
2 people like this
10 responses
@ElicBxn (63595)
• United States
11 Jan 10
I'm having trouble with Downey as Holmes - he doesn't "look" like how I picture Holmes. Yes, I've read the books several times. I'm a big Holmes fan and I'm just not sure I'm ready for them to take such ... liberties, with the "Canon" as the Baker Street Irregulars call it.
1 person likes this
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
11 Jan 10
The books describe Holmes as Tall and thin,and the Basil Rathbone image for many people comes to the fore..I Must take another read of the books,just for background reference..
2 people like this
@ElicBxn (63595)
• United States
11 Jan 10
I had a problem with Basil Rathbone too. I personally like William Gillette http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Gillette as Holmes best - apparently there is some speculation that the early art for the magazines used Gillette as their model.
@sagnik42 (3592)
• India
11 Jan 10
I agree, Robert Downey Jr. doesn't fit the Holmes image in our mind. In the trailers, I have hardly seen him in his famour hat. But, I do not have problems with that. They are making a movie. It is not a book adaptation. As long as he acts like a Holmes, I do not have a problem with anything. I am looking forward to watching this movie. I am really curious, how it will turn out.
2 people like this
@Torunn (8607)
• Norway
11 Jan 10
I've just seen it, and I really liked it. I'm not quite sure I would call it a Sherlock Holmes movie though, too much fighting and not enough deduction. I thought the views of London from above where splendid, and yes, my London friends say the geography was wrong but I didn't really care much. It is a bit weird though, one should think that checking a map of London would be pretty easy?
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
11 Jan 10
And Especially for it having been directed by Guy Ritchie!
@sagnik42 (3592)
• India
11 Jan 10
I am sure they researched before making this movie. Then why should they ignore such issues. There is no sense in that. If people are using real locations, then they should keep it accurate, otherwise it becomes nonsense. I have not seen the movie, though. I am commenting from whatever you have written.
1 person likes this
• China
11 Jan 10
too too too much fighting...
@sagnik42 (3592)
• India
11 Jan 10
I have not yet seen this movie but am pretty upbeat. I do not have time this week, so I think I will catch it next week. Keeping my fingers crossed. I have always liked the Sherlock Holmes stories. I am a great fan of the books. From the trailers it is apparent that there are a lot of action seens, unlike the books but I do not have a problem with that. They can differ as much as they want. I only want to see a good movie. I usually keep an open mind while watching movies and as a result end up liking most movies, even the Harry Potter ones.
1 person likes this
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
11 Jan 10
The story is a New one for this Movie,so you could say it's "Based" on the Sherlock Holmes Stories,with most of the Main Characters being recognisable as having Featured in the Books..The main differerence being "Irene Adler"'s prominence in the Movie,She only having appeared in One of the Stories,then disappeared,a "Wanted" Person..
@Hubfee (665)
• Thailand
11 Jan 10
I never read the book and I don't really have the London Cabbie's Knowledge. My background knowledge about Sherlock Holmes was only he's is a genius detective but I can say that this movie is the best quality one. The movie's really good and give me more impression to Sherlock. The way they make the movie, I can say that even people who never know the name of Sherlock Holmes will like the movie and get impressed in him. Anyway I understand that the story in the book seems to be better than in the movie. That's what I heard from many people with many movies such as Harry Potter and Narnia. But I'm not really type of a book reader. Well, my point here is I think the movie's really good and I suggest you all to watch it.
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
11 Jan 10
If You're going in to this Movie with just that knowledge about Holmes being A Detective with Genius deductive skills,You'll probably enjoy it.It also Fleshes out some of Holmes' Background-Watson refers to Holmes (In the books-Most of the original Holmes stories are from Watson's Perspective!) as being a capable fighter,and a Master of Disguise,among other skills..
1 person likes this
@magic9 (980)
• China
11 Jan 10
I love it ! It's the best detective books I've read. And I watched the play online. the play is made wonderfully. In fact, the leading actor's image spring up in my mind as Shelock Holms as if he were the real Shelock. It's imporssilbe for me to get rid of that image for another acotor to act as Shelock.
1 person likes this
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
12 Jan 10
You'd be surprised how many actors have Portrayed Holmes in Movie and TV Productions,never mind stage productions!
1 person likes this
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
11 Jan 10
I am a devoted Robert Downey jr fan. I can not wait to see him as Sherlock Holmes. I am sure he will own this movie with his talent.
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
25 Jan 10
I think Downey put in a good performance,giving Holmes a very Human portrayal,even letting it be seen that "The Great Detective" can make mistakes at times..Hope you enjoyed the Movie! (Me,I'm looking forward to seeing him in "Iron Man 2" as well..)
@mymelodake (1338)
• Philippines
26 Feb 10
Hi! I really love your observations on the movie! I'm a reader of the books as well, and I must agree with what you said. I've also seen quite a few movie versions, but although they may be more faithful to the books than this movie, the new Sherlock Holmes is pretty good too. I am usually quite critical about movie adaptations of books I love, but I think I let this one slide because it's pretty good, book bias aside. I am not so much of a fan though of how they put Irene Adler in the spotlight. Mary Morstan was also very very minor in the movie, but I guess it tackles an entirely different story so it's OK. Also, not being a London resident, I was completely unaware of the continuity goof! I also liked their Lestrade, though I imagined him a lot differently when reading the books.
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
26 Feb 10
Thanks for the Comments! (And congrats on making it into 4 figures!) I get the idea that with not retreading one of the original stories,but creating new scenarios based on these Characters there would be the potential for further stories for Dr Watson's "Casebook" on Holmes..I liked that Watson's comments from the books mentioned those featured stories were hand picked to showcase Holmes' Methods of deduction,with the allusion many others had been omitted..that could be where we come in with this Movie,(and sequels?)
@jlamela (4898)
• Philippines
11 Jan 10
I haven't seen this film yet but I am planning to watch this on theater because I loved Sherlock Holmes, it's a great story based on the book so I am looking forward to watch this film soon. I will try to find out your observation in the film too but i doubt if I can comment wonderfully like your observation.hehe
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
12 Jan 10
I should mention the Movie's story is New,and Not one from the series of books and magazine articles..but the Characters in the Movie are recognisable from having been portrayed in the books
1 person likes this
@agv0419 (3022)
• Philippines
11 Jan 10
I haven't read the book but I know who is Sherlock Holmes I've seen the thriller and I think it is a good movie. I think the story is different from the book to make it more cinematic. I'm looking forward to watch it.
1 person likes this
@TrvlArrngr (4045)
• United States
11 Jan 10
My 15 year old son went to see it with his friend and they said it was good. It kept them interested.
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
25 Jan 10
It wouldn't be your thing? I take it You didn't go with them?