Why I called up this old post — my personal opinion is that the current movie (12/09, Robert Downey, Jr. et al.) is IMHO likely to be a major disappointment to Holmes' fans. This is kind of curious, because the film assumes you already know a great deal about Holmes going in — there's almost no exposition or discussion of character. I had a similar reaction to Jurassic Park — all roller coaster, but not very much plot to speak of. And, while there is some small fun when clues are explained at the end, they weren't presented in enough context for the audience to participate in figuring them out. (The Detection Club would not approve!) Definitely aimed at an immature audience, with childish hints at homosexuality, ad nauseum. Watson's compassionate nature is almost nonexistent, because the producers kept shoving in our faces about how "tough" he was. (Watson's masculinity was never in question, but in this film's shallow, contemporary world view, in order to be a "real man," you have to be able to engage in marathon violence without a qualm. There are also unnecessary kicks and beatings throughout, which are presented as sympathetic, and which the audience is supposed/ordered to enjoy. Yes, Holmes could box, but he also was not gratuitously cruel.) Many scenic CG shots are visually gorgeous, but there's just too much pandering to the shallow, contemporary mind set for my taste. The best productions, I think, show you fully Holmes' existential struggles — there's just nothing that solid here. End of rant. Might be worth seeing in a theatre for fans who see everything Holmesian to compare with other versions, but, otherwise I'd give it a pass.

It has been so long since I watched a Remington Steele show>>> Thanks for reminding me about them.

Sounds like you watch the exact types of shows that we do!