Benedict Cumberbatch or Robert Downey Jr? Steven Moffat and Mark Gattis or Guy "Cockney" Ritchie? For people who love a damn good rollock of drama, intrigue, mystery, a limpy sidekick and of course an ararchistic, introvert, sauvant imbued with a keen sense of everything around him, deduction, chemistry, ability to play the violin and an almost aspergers like approach to the world, then they are spoilt for choice at the moment, with the BBC currently showing it's second batch of it's modern day imagining of'Sherlock' at the moment, and with it being available to watch on iPlayer right
here, you should have absolutely no excuse for not watching it. With that in mind, if you are a cinema goer, then what could be better than going to watch Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr camply jaunt around Victorian London and Europe in their own bid to foil the plots of the Evil Dr Moriati. Both adaptations have their perks, and both take a differing approach to how they present history's most famous detective. The feature films focus on Holmes's anti-social personality, and portray him as an unkempt eccentric with an amazing analytical mind with a whole host of boxing and martial arts moves to help him cripple London's fiercest foes. However, because I like to cause conflict wherever I show my face, I was wondering, which of the two is better???
So, what are the best features of the TV series?? Well, firstly Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss have seamlessly moved the action from 1890's London to the present day, with Watson's war wounds being sustained in the Afghan war on terror, rather than the Afghan war of imperialism, (see, I knows tings!) the method of Watson telling his case files has moved from books and articles to a blog, instead of a pipe he smokes cigarettes and supliments these with lots and lots of nicotine patches (Sherlock, I know your pain...God I miss smoking!) and he still plays the violin.
Conan Doyle's stories were never about frock coats and gas light; they're about brilliant detection, dreadful villains and blood-curdling crimes – and frankly, to hell with the crinoline. Other detectives have cases, Sherlock Holmes has adventures, and that's what matters. Steven Moffat
Personally, it's Martin Freeman's portrayal of Watson that shines through for me, he seems to be able to play the slightly bewildered, yet level headed character who you become attached to very easily, playing second fiddle to Cumberbatch's aloof Holmes, and the relationship that develops between the two is touching, with both beginning to work off of one another with ease. it's also interesting to see the once solitary Holmes develop an attachment to Watson. the chemistry between the two is brilliant, the plots fantastic, relying upon the daring duo to detect, ruminate and generally act sleuth like.
And this is where I shall step in with the 'Sherlock Holmes' films. Whilst the BBC's adaptation focuses upon the small details, the art of deduction and detection, Guy Ritchie's vision of Sherlock is one of explosions, martial arts and a cantankerous and anti-social Holmes. Not that this is a bad thing, but to argue that these films follow the source material closely would be tantamount to saying that Star Wars is an accurate description of life in mexico during the early 1900's.
Whilst liberal with the source material, it is an enjoyable romp, and has some almost tender moments, especially in the second film, as the depth of the relationship between Holmes and Watson is explored. 'Game of Shadows' almost has some 'Empire Strikes Back' moments, which I felt gave the film some added depth and emotion.
Set aside your memories of the Conan Doyle stories, save them to savor on a night this winter and enjoy this movie as high caliber entertainment. Roger Ebert
Ultimately, in my eyes, it is the TV series which shines out the most, delivering the right mixture of action, suspense, drama,, sleuthing and laughs, and while the films attempt to incorporate these, it falls somewhat flat in comparison. If you wish to indulge yourself with more of the Holmes lore, you can download the whole series of books and short stories from the link below. In conclusion, perhaps it is sticking to the subject material and not under-estimating the audiences intelligence which makes the TV series an altogether better Holmes. That, is elementary, my dear reader.
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