About Modern Day Sherlock, Were You Convinced?

[Ruthyone]

I knew of 'Sherlock Holmes' via various films and the marvelous Jeremy Brett version rhen when modern 'Sherlock' was shown on the BBC - written by Gatiss & Moffat - I thought

 

got to watch that! I too am now locked!!! I don't think there's a known cure!!! (Do we want one?!!!)

 

 

[Riddle]

Like some others here, I knew little of Sherlock Holmes before seeing this series. I mean I knew of the character, I knew he was a detective and I knew of the phrase 'No s**t Sherlock'. And of course, depsite knowing this little I recognise the deerstalker and pipe combo which I think everyone in the world does even if they've never read or seen any of the books or adaptations. I didn't really have any expectations not having read the books or seen much of other adaptations so I can't call whether or not I was convinced by a modern version. However, I'm always interested in updated versions of things, I think if a story is good and the themes are still relevant then anything can be updated. 

 

I've now read a couple of the books and I like how they've done this series, rather than doing a direct update of the stories, they've taken elements from them and written new stories about the characters using some detail from the original books. It's an interesting way of doing it, I guess it's just very good quality fan-fic.

 

I started watching the Jeremy Brett version as it's being repeated on TV at the moment but I wasn't particularly grabbed by it. It's OK and Jeremy Brett is very good, but it's not really my thing. Same with the books. I enjoyed the couple I read but am not itching to read more. I'll probably get round to others some time but there's other stuff I find more interesting to read.

[Ruthyone]

Jeremy Brett's version was shot in the 70's and it was set in a different era but he was very good at portraying 'Sherlock.'

[Pamela]

Actually, it was the 80's into the 90's.

[Ruthyone]

Actually, it was the 80's into the 90's.

 

Doesn't time fly!!! Britain's done very well with its 'Sherlocks.'

[mangopony]

I knew of 'Sherlock Holmes' via various films and the marvelous Jeremy Brett version rhen when modern 'Sherlock' was shown on the BBC - written by Gatiss & Moffat - I thought

 

got to watch that! I too am now locked!!! I don't think there's a known cure!!! (Do we want one?!!!)

 

 

 

No I don't want a cure!!

[Sacker]

I wasn't aware of the show the first two seasons, but obviously aware of the character. Hearing that it was in a modern setting was not only acceptable to me, but in fact a deal maker. I have absolutely nothing against the character as traditionally written, but have no interest in seeing it as a period piece. For the record; I love period pieces. I just never found previous versions of Sherlock to be terribly interesting.

 

I'll go one step further and say I feel like this current version has ruined me for period versions. I not only have no desire to see what someone could do with it in that time frame, I now have no interest in seeing the Downey films.

 

This is Sherlock Holmes for me now. It clicked in a way no other versions ever have or ever will.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Can't argue about that click!

 

Just for the record, have you seen the Jeremy Brett episodes?

 

[Sacker]

No. I'm completely unfamiliar with them. I better do my homework. Is it modern?

[Carol the Dabbler]

They're Victorian, filmed in the 1980's and 90's, very nicely done, and in general very true to the original stories (including the humor).  You might want to have a look.

 

[Ruthyone]

Take a look, Sacker, you may be pleasantly surprised

[Alice Holmes]

You could come look at our fabulous Jeremy Brett thread.

 

I was convinced by modern-day Sherlock. I think that the translations to modern life were effective and at the same time entertaining. And I think someone mentioned this already, but the fact that Moffat and Gatis are such fans of ACD seems to make them very determined to do a good job. Which I think they do. Splendidly.

[Ruthyone]

I think that's why America has been bowled over by this series. They like fast paced action and the 'boys' have delivered.

[Alice Holmes]

That is very true...I'm not trying to call Americans adreneline junkies or anything, but they do like their bit of action.

[Sacker]

That's absolutely not the case for me.  I much prefer a cerebral story vs an action story.  I can't even begin to count the number of action films I've passed on strictly for that reason.  Entire franchises are completely foreign to me because  they're action-first, substance-second. 

 

 

[Pawse]

I was rather intrigued by the thought of this version set in the modern times; I was rather used to the Victorian setting, but I was willing to give the modern version a go.

[Carol the Dabbler]

...I'm not trying to call Americans adreneline junkies or anything, but they do like their bit of action.

 

That's absolutely not the case for me.  I much prefer a cerebral story vs an action story.  I can't even begin to count the number of action films I've passed on strictly for that reason.  Entire franchises are completely foreign to me because  they're action-first, substance-second.

 

Me too, Sacker.  I think it may be more of a generational thing than a US vs. UK thing.  As the short-attention-span generation becomes the dominant movie audience, we're unfortunately seeing more and more "action."  If I weren't such a big fan of both Tolkien and Freeman, I'd have a hard time watching The Hobbit (and even so, I had a hard time with the second film).

 

I was shocked when we started watching "The Empty Hearse," because it seemed that Sherlock had gone all "actiony" -- but then it turned out that they were doing the fake explanation as a sort of Mission: Impossible parody, so that was not only OK, it was funny.  I do believe the show really is heading somewhat in that direction overall, however, which does concern me a bit.

 

[Alice Holmes]

Truce. It is largely generational, and I think there are lots of people who prefer highly cerebral to highly active stories, no matter their age or nationality.

[Carol the Dabbler]

And vice-versa, no doubt.

 

[Magpie]

I would rather see more cerebral action than physical anytime! The Robert Downy Jr. version didn't really click with me, I think of Sherlock outwitting and out-talking his foes before resorting to violence. 'Thinking' heroes and intricate plots just aren't popular enough in the US. After all, Star Trek was deemed 'too' cerebral by its network   That's why I love Doctor Who and many other UK, international shows.

But sorry for digressing- the BBC series is a masterpiece when it comes to  bringing old classics to modern times!

 

[Ruthyone]

Thanks Magpie, I think the BBC's  version seems to suit all ages and genres and it's great that it reaches around the worldl.     

[Redbeard]

I was very skeptical about it!  I just remember vaguely reading about a modern day Sherlock Holmes and that the characters were "young".  I started to envision something more like the Hardy Boys type of ages, lol, or where Sherlock and John go to the mall or nightclubs and sleep around and play video games all day or something.  I just don't know what I was expecting.  Next thing was I happened to see the cover for the DVD on Amazon and I thought, huh, it looks interesting.  They look a little older and more complex than I thought, the cover art is a little moody and atmospheric looking...maybe...and then I promptly forgot all about it.  I had also heard of "Elementary" and thought I liked that title better but didn't watch either one.  I had heard, of course, of how popular the show was and put it in my mind as something to watch, someday. 

 

Then a couple of weeks ago my son was going to watch on Netflix and asked me if I wanted to join him.  Yeah sure...skeptical...but lets see what this is all about, finally.  By ten minutes in, I loved it. By the end of the first episode I wanted more.   By the end of the second episode I was a goner.  Done.  How could I have ever doubted?  This is a rare show where they got EVERYTHING so perfectly right.   And I am now  addicted.  Obsessed.  A woman I work with expressed how she was hesitant to watch it because she didn't know if it would be good.  I just shook my head with a knowing smile.  Ah I was once so naïve lol. 

 

I regret my skepticism now and beg for forgiveness for my lack of faith.   

 

Me just weeks ago = curious but not THAT interested

Me now = Sherlocked

[Caya]

Hello Redbeard and welcome to the forum! Glad to see you've jumped right in!

 

Yeah, many of us got hooked by a family member - for me, it was my husband (who watches every procedural under the sun). He told me I might like that one, I was hesitant, patient man that he is, he insisted, and I'm not sure if he regrets that now .

[Redbeard]

Caya, thank you for the welcome!  I appreciate that.