I don't want to sound like a stuck record but I hated this idea from the moment I heard of its conception. I love Sherlock Holmes. The stories I loved, the Basil Rathbone films I loved and, especially, the Jermey Brett ITV televsion series (which pretty much got it exactly right).
This however sounded awful from the start. Guy Ritchie directing? Oh heck. Robert Downey Jnr as Holmes? I love him, he's great, he's totally wrong. It's not that I mind people messing with the old stories at all (I loved the comedy version of Without a Clue starring Michael Caine and Sir Ben Kingsley) it's just I think I'm still a little hurt from the messing up of other classics that have occured of late (Lucas and Spielberg I'm looking straight at you).
If nothing else this does give me the the opportunity to tell a joke:
Sherlock Holmes and Watson go camping together and wake up beneath a beautiful blanket of stars.
Sherlock asks "What does this tell you, old friend?"
"Well", says Watson, "Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Horologically, I deduce that the time is approximately a quarter past three. Meteorologically, I suspect that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. Theologically, I can see that God is all powerful and that we are a small and insignificant part of the universe". Pleased with himself he pauses and turns his head "Why do you ask? What does it tell you Holmes, old chap?"
Holmes turns towards his old friend and answers "Some fucker's stolen our tent."
Anyway here's the trailer so you can see yourself if you think this is more Casino Royale or Johnny English:
This isn't looking too promising. I think Without a Clue was closer to the core material and the spirit of Holmes.
ReplyDeleteYoung Sherlock Holmes had more gusto going for it. I can't help but see Tony Stark on an off day smoking a pipe. Too soon after Iron Man.
ReplyDeleteRachel McAdams though, hooray for boobies!