When i saw the trailer of this series, i was so curious and was eagerly awaiting the launch for the very concept of a series involving Sherlock being awesome, the one tracing his origins or young self would surely have been a fantastic premise to explore. True to the expectation, the series began with a bang, involving a jailed Sherlock being rescued by Mycroft and the first episode runs away to a finish like a 1000 wala cracker with several characters mushrooming at every turn and most of the main players already getting established, including Moriarty(!) and a Chinese lady.
Pretty soon the crime gets established and Sherlock, for a change, is on the run as a suspect/fugitive from law for a murder he didn't commit. The story goes steadily and speedily downwards from then onwards and the climax resembling 1970's Bollywood movies, involving the hero and his dad and their sacrifice!! It could've been a hat tip to the very similar setup involving Sherlock/Moriarty at the Reichenbach falls. There are several such moments in the series, where Sherlock is mocked for his lack of defensive skills who ends up getting beaten and punched regularly. In fact, throughout the series, Sherlock comes as second best to Moriarty and the Chinese lady in many instances. Even though he is often praised for his detective/investigative skills, for any viewers of the series, it is quite evident that it is Moriarty who ends up with all credits, not just from acting chops perspective alone. The guy who plays that role seems a natural as compared to the one who plays the titular role, who often seems like a nepo kid of Bollywood on his first outing. Apparently, he is a nepo kid, related to the guy who played Voldemort in Harry potter series. The Chinese lady looks smart and has a meaty role. The premise involving a nerve gas is novel and the twist involving Sherlock's own father being the main villain is, well, Manmohan desai-ish at best. But the missing sister, Beatrice Holmes (did Sherlock had 2 sisters and a brother??there were couple of movies involving Enola Holmes) and how she turns out to be the ultimate evil sibling is stretching it too far, to the times of Kudi iruntha Kovil Mgr!!!
Considering that Guy Ritchie was at the helm of this series, i went in with high expectations but the ending was far from satisfactory and some how they've ended up deriding Holmes rather than paying homage to his image!! Even Lestrade for all you know has a decent set of scenes as compared to bumbling Holmes. Wonder if it will ever have a sequel season.
Comments
Sherlock Holmes should never be made into a visual - either movie, or TV series. I have watched none of whatever has been done and will never do so. Baker Street's doings have to be ONLY read, preferably on a cold night, imagining the fog rolling in. Somethings in life are sacred and should be left undisturbed. In literature, the Sherlock Holmes series is one such.
The appalling OTT honchos will precisely make some abomination like this for the sake of a few eyeballs and some money and care two hoots about what they do to a historical character. Proves that my resolve to never go near an OTT platform is absolutely right for me.
May the people who make such garbage live in their own private hell.
End of rant !
Gilsu - please return to Tamil movies :):)