Sherlock Holmes

[Marina]

I'm am shocked that we do not have a thread for our favorite detective yet. I do realize that I'm making a Fandom thread instead of Literature thread, but I'm inclined to talk about the TV and movie adaptations at this moment. There are a ton of them, I haven't watched all.

First and foremost, the TV series. I have had the honor to watch the Jeremy Brett, Vasily Livanov (Russian version of Sherlock) and Benedict Cumberbatch in the TV series adaptations. We could I suppose add House to it, since his character is based on Sherlock Holmes.

As for movies, I'm going to naming the popular ones, there there are the Jeremy Brett movies (which I actually haven't watched yet), Basil Rathbone (also haven't watched), and of course there is the recent Robert Downey Jr movie.

I gotta say that my favorite Holmes's are Brett and Livanov. They are inexplicably tied for the first place and I cannot chose between them. I realize that not many people might have seen Livanov in action because it's really hard to find good quality videos with good subtitles. But he was my favorite before I gave a chance to Brett, who is amazing as Holmes. He really captures the essence of the character, along with his relationship with Watson, without making him seem a tad over the line like Cumberbatch or too attached to Watson for the sake of fanservice like RDJ. Also from what I have seen of Rathbone I think he's a bit too theatrical. RDJ also doesn't really look like Holmes for me, which was my biggest disappointment with the movie.

When it comes to the story, from what I have watched, I actually like the Livanov's stories better then Brett's, especially the final showdown with Moriarty. But Brett has many more episodes and movies than Livanov, so the comparison falls short.

As for Watsons; I like Jude Law for his physical appearance. And I don't mean because he's hot, I mean the fact that he looks closer to Watson's description age wise and appearance. Martin Freeman because of his limp and actual hospital work, it really shows the experience and how scarred he is from the war. Vitaly Solomin (from the Russian Sherlock) for his loyalty and willingness to jump into danger to help Holmes. And of course David Burke/Edward Hardwicke for humoring Holmes and not letting him walk all over Watson. I think in the end, Jude Law's Watson combines all of Watsons, so he's kind of my favorite, although it's really hard to chose.

But there is so much more to talk about, and this is already an essay, so let's start discussing!

[Dodger Thirteen]

I have to say that I absolutely adore Moffat's adaptation of Sherlock Holmes for the modern age. It's brilliant and Holmes fits perfectly into a modern setting. Holmes with Google at a young age? Just imagine. Wait, you don't have to, it's already on TV.

I think Cumberbatch is also a perfect fit for the titular character, as he's withdrawn enough and does perfectly with the idea that Holmes just isn't like the rest of us. His ability to portray the fact that he is smarter than everyone around him and just doesn't understand how even the most simple deductions - to him - are entirely outside the realm of possibilty for the rest of us is spot-on. I love his little hops about when he's excited about something, like a small child in his enthusiasm. I think he's perfect for the role, but I can understand why some might disagree.

Freeman as Watson is also perfect, to me. I think that his admiration for Holmes, the fact that he would follow him into anything, dangerous or not, gives a sense of strength to the character and their developing relationship, however that might be defined. I like that Freeman's Watson has a hunger for dangerous situations because they make him feel alive - that, to me, says that the writers and Freeman thought about the character of Watson from Doyle's original text. Why else would a man like Watson pair up with a clearly sociopathic individual like Holmes?

[Marina]

I think it's hard to judge Cumberbatch just yet, because we've only had three episodes to judge him on, and well, a lot of what makes Holmes so brilliant hasn't been incorporated yet. So far I find him... too much... I feel like every bit of his eccentricities have been intensified. Which is brilliant in a scheme of things, because I do think technological innovations would feed his oddities. It would make information that he needs more accessible... without having to remember it, since he can look it up at any time. But at the same time I do wish he was a bit toned down, because I don't picture Holmes quite so active. Though Cumberbatch is perfectly adorable when he gets excited.
Once Freeman burns those striped sweaters I will accept him as one of the better Watsons. Lol... kidding.

[tosney]

My favorite film/TV interpretation of Sherlock was the recent BBC masterpiece mystery. I'm dying until the next comes out because it was such a huge cliffhanger.

Stephen Moffat helped write it, and rumor has it that Matt Smith tried out for Watson but he was deemed too eccentric. That's okay - I love him as the Doctor anyhow. :3

[inarikins]

I think a Benedict Cumberbatch/Matt Smith combo as Holmes and Watson would be a bit too much. Martin Freeman's the perfect Watson to Cumberbatch's Holmes.

I think I'm definitely tied between the new BBC Sherlock and the Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey, Jr. (who I love anyways). I can't really decide between the two of them, so I just settle for loving both of them on their own.

[onlyaworkingtitle]

You guuuuyyyyys...

www.tor.com/blogs/2011/09/cbs-poised-to-ruin-sherlock-holmes?WT.mc_id=0

This looks SO TERRIBLE. I just... I can't right now. Someone else provide witty response.

[Marina]

I have heard of this atrocity. I agree with the assumption that a lot of characters on American TV are modeled after Holmes. But I don't agree that they would go to such lengths to change it just to fit the modern demographic. Overall, however, I think it will be a disaster and hopefully be shut down before any type of production starts.

[tosney]

I thought the artists' conception was real at first and nearly fainted at the atrocity.

[Dodger Thirteen]

I'll give it a chance.

[Marina]

Americans don't ruin everything. That's generalizing. What they shouldn't be doing is trying to copy off ideas, or like you said create an American version of shows that are doing well by themselves. With the internet and BBC America, American viewers can watch British shows as well, so there's really no sense in remaking those shows.

Though I have to say, I like the American Version of Being Human better, the acting especially.

[Marina]

Based on your emoticon and use of profanity to emphasize your point, I would say that you were.

[onlyaworkingtitle]

OH MY GOSH YOU PEOPLE EVERYWHERE I TURN YOU'RE ARGUING.

HAPPY THOUGHTS UNTIL YOU CAN BE FRIENDLY AGAIN.

[Dodger Thirteen]

Nov 6, 2011 10:51:16 GMT -5 Eternal Lobster said:

Americans ruin everything ): We need to leave the creation of TV series to the British and stop trying to fuck them over by Americanizing their work. Life on Mars, Being Human, now this. Just say no.

I still prefer to American version of Being Human over the British version. The werewolf is better, thus, the series is better.

'cause vampires I can do without.

[Marina]

Oh, gosh, there's this literary term to describe this... but it won't come to me. It's basically making copies of copies, or copies of the the original formula with slight alterations to avoid getting sued for copyrights, because the formula makes money and everyone is happy.

[Dodger Thirteen]

I believe you mean "simulacrum," Marina.