Spoilers herein:
I agree. There are plenty of characters to use for action films or one can simply make up a new one (Sgt. John McClain anyone?), but to use Sherlock Holmes as a foil for "shoot 'em ups" is just too much. Watson is shot, Sir Henry loses an ear and is on death's door, Stapleton's wife beaten and hanged, Holmes chin-deep in the mud of the moors, Stapleton shot in the face and the dog gets barrels emptied from TWO guns... YIKES! Is this Hound of the Baskervilles or Lethal Weapon VII: Victorian Timewarp?
Somewhat ironically — in view of the fact that this version overloads on the melodrama and action — it is also WAY too politically correct. You have Watson "asserting his personhood", and Holmes being more sensitive to his physician friend. They have Watson constantly angry at Holmes, often disgusted with him and more than once questioning his character (for example, the night in which Sir Henry is dining with Stapleton, just before the attack). There is no sign of the delightful and colorful relationship between our two heroes. Ugh. They also seem to go out of their way to make Sir Henry Baskerville a bit of a buffoon and almost a libertine in his libido: stalking women under the mistletoe? Yuck. "How do I look in my new clothes, Watson? Am I a country gentlman?" It's obviously a dig because he's a colonist, "lets see how crass and foolish we can have the American appear!"
Why can't people just stick to the BASICS?! Change up the age of Holmes and Watson? Great! Beef up their friendship? Super! But don't futz with the personality of Holmes or the intellectual nature of the material. This isn't freaking Die Hard, after all! Do whatever you want with your own characters, but with Sherlock Holmes, show some respect... thank you.
"...nothing is left of me, each time I see her..." - Catullus
reply
share
IFeelPossessed
13 years ago
I thought that Sir Henry Baskerville was, yes originally portrayed as a bit of an arrogant Canadian (not a yank) at first, but a little character development showed him as a little more naive, wanting to fit in, wanting to be seen as a "country gentleman". And also showing his youth in kissing the women under the mistletoe.
But that is the actor Matt Day's speciality; playing character who have this wide eyed and innocent charm about them. (See Doing time with patsy cline & Rake, both also starring Richard Roxburgh - or Sherlock holmes!).
I thought Roxburgh made a great Holmes - I had no pre-conceptions, never having really read the books or seen any other TV adaptations. Grant is almost too over-bearing to play Holmes, and this story was much more about Watson. Thought Hart was good in this role....but not overly convinced.
reply
share