Young Sherlock Holmes

Young Sherlock Holmes is a unique spin on the classic Sherlock Holmes stories. Now a days we are growing more and more used to adaptations such as Robert Downey Jr.'s films and Sherlock from the BBC. And dozens upon dozens of adaptations have been created featuring this Victorian sleuth. And in 1985, a younger, unique version of the character set about onto his own adventure.Basic PlotSherlock and Watson are school boys who meet when Watson transfers to the school Holmes has made himself known through amazing feats of intellect. And though Watson is younger than the...18 something Holmes and he is less....quick witted let's say, he brings a friendly and practical element to Holmes' life. He also is loyal quickly and soon they become friends. With Elizabeth (Holmes' love interest), Watson and Holmes we are taken on an exciting mystery of a zealous religious cult, hallucinogenics, several missing women, and several odd deaths .CharactersHands down I believe they are given unique personalities that are true to the nature in general of the books and the actors do a grand job of performing them. Holmes is arrogant and yet sweet, more emotional than tradition and in love (which didn't happen in the books and is still debated where Irene Adler comes in) which I felt was a GREAT aspect. This is younger more impulsive Holmes with a very sweet love story and a budding friendship with Watson. Watson is played as a scared, pudgy boy who dreams of becoming a doctor who has to learn courageousness as the course of the film progresses, and learn to use his mind. Elizabeth, the made up character and 3rd main cast member, doesn't get much screen time, but you gather that she is a relatively intelligent woman (Holmes loves her for goodness sake) with a strong sense of independence while yes, still holding onto some femininity ascribed to Victorian ladies.In generalThe unique twist of Holmes and Watson meeting at school, later to meet as adults, and growing together, getting glimpses of an unrefined/emotional Holmes and dim-witted Watson shows the developmental stage of this characters. We get an interpretation of the groundwork that will lead into the characters being fully realized later.A fun, unique twist on an old classic is a risky thing to attempt, but this movie was amazing. Fun, funny, mysterious, etc. all in all great!

Great movie! Touching and sad!

Rewatcthed an old favorite and it still holds up. A well crafted film and the special effects still work decades later.

For most of us stuffy Holmesians, this movie will never amount to much more than an "alternate universe" reworking of the first meeting between the doctor and detective, and yet, there is not a single adaptation that can claim it is anything other than another writer's revitalization of our much beloved characters. When one considers the liberties taken with Holmes & Watson of late, any deviations here are tame by comparison. This was written with the utmost respect for the source material, and not by someone attempting to outdo Doyle, so in that regard, I view it as a deserving film pastiche.The main divergence from the cold, occasionally misogynistic reasoner of Canon was the insertion of a love interest. I am not particularly enthusiastic about adding romantic elements, though if it had to be done, this was the way to go about it. Elisabeth, the niece of an eccentric inventor, Professor Waxflatter (portrayed, incidentally, by Nigel Stock, who may be remembered as Dr Watson beside both Douglas Wilmer/Peter Cushing in the 1960s BBC series), exudes such a radiance, and is an immensely likeable, competent female lead with absolutely nothing of the dreaded Mary-Sue about her.In fact, Elisabeth becomes less of a distraction to a good Holmes/Watson adventure, and more of a vital addition. What little we do see of the romance, however, quickly takes a back seat to the plot. And an enjoyable one it is, with secret Egyptian societies, a killer who strikes using a dart gun whose poison drives the victim to madness - very reminiscent of the era in general, with elements straight out of SIGN and DEVI.Overall,I was not bothered much by the alterations. Holmes retains his cleverness - as evidenced by some fairly good deductions - and Watson, his heart. In no way whatsoever did it seek to "reinvent" Holmes, so much of his character was recognizable enough. The sets and costumes were absolutely glorious, being richly evocative of the mid-Victorian era, making this movie an extremely underrated serious, if slightly darker, period piece. Young Sherlock Holmes may not rank up there with the best of them, but it at least deserves a spot as an above average attempt, and was actually quite good by its own rights. I was prepared not to care for it, but ended up falling for it by the end.As a side note, continue watching until the end credits have finished rolling for the bonus scene...

This is one of those '80s movies that you love to watch once in a while again and again.The steelbook is gorgeous all the way through. Nice Blu-ray, but I would have loved for Paramount to get it together and issue us all a proper 4K UHD disc as well on this one. It is worth every penny.Love the movie and it looks good on the 4K TV and 4K player.I recommend!

excellent movie

First caught this movie on cable a few years after it was released. I was immediately suprised at how entertaining it was (although with Spielberg as an executive producer, I guess I shouldn't have been).I am not an avid Sherlock Holmes buff, but I always liked the premise of the stories - especially since people tend to think this was a real life character. Showing Holmes and Watson in their intial meeting and partnership was genius. A little on the supernatural side, but that just adds to the quality and keeps your interest. I also like how they explain why Sherlock avoids any future serious female relationships. And what can I say about the exceptionally debonair but evil arch-rival Moriarty....you just have to see for yourself.I think sequels would have taken away from this original film. By the other comments I've read, I am glad to see that this film has held up well after all these years. Being a period piece, it does not suffer from ever being outdated.For anyone that likes a thrill ride of this kind of supernatural/mystery/drama, it is a must-have!