We Are Heading To The U.K For This One!
Sherlock Holmes, the world's most famous detective is going to honor us with this classy British tussle. From ser Arthur Conan Doyle's pages to the TV screen, to the cinema screen, something about Sherlock Holmes seems to captivate us as an audience. But, with two renditions of Sherlock Holmes earning the spotlight recently, we will put them against each other to see -who- is the best Sherlock. Robert Downey Jr or Benedict Cumberbatch? Our contestants will be judged based on:
Authenticity: Weather one likes it or not, their characters are going to be compared to the original concept viewed in the books. How close are they to the original material?
Character: How do they behave? Certainly a lot has to be changed to fit into their stories, but how robust is their character in the end?
Plot: Sherlock Holmes is a detective. We will judge their plots accordingly
Watson: Dr Watson is more than just a sidekick, he is the center from which we view Sherlock Holmes, our window into his psyche. He is as integral to the part as Sherlock himself.
Sherlock Holmes
Robert Downey Jr added an interesting twist to the famous character. In movies packed with action, intrigue and Downeys undisputed charisma and talent alongside Jude Law and other strong actors, his movies were great hits. However how do they fare in the Tussle? Lets find out.
Authenticity: 4/10. To the movie's credit they did take ensure that the wit, eccentricity and deductive skills of the famous character were intact, and the movie did portray them adequately. However, with the movie's focus being on action which is the direct antithesis of what Sherlock Holmes stands for, the movie would leave most hardcore fans in an outrage, or at the very least, disappointed.
Character: 7/10. Despite the fact that I personally despise this version of the character, I will have to be fair and admit that Robert Downey Jr put on a very impressive character forth. Eccentric, witty and crude, the character can be a gentleman when he has to and intimidating when the part needs to. However, despite all that, they forgot the most basic and key aspects of Sherlock Holmes. Strip him down to the bare essentials and you -cannot- discard the fact that he is a Gentleman and a pacifist. The movie ignored those, and as such it will lose 3 points
Plot: 5/10. I get what they were trying to do here, I really do, but just because you -can- do something does not mean you -should-. An action movie starring Sherlock Holmes is as absurd as Mediterranean mothers without masterfully using guilt, or a fish living in sand.
Watson: 10/10. Surprisingly what the movie lacks in everything else, it makes up for perhaps the -BEST- Watson in Sherlock Holmes non book history. "But John" I hear you say, "Watson is not supposed to be -that- handsome, good at fighting and rival Sherlock in intellect!". To that I say that you are in fact wrong. Watson is described as a handsome man, ex military albeit a doctor and throughout the books it is in fact Watson the person who solves all the crimes only to find that Sherlock is a few steps ahead. So yes, Watson -is- a handsome lad, good in action and smart enough to go toe to toe with Sherlock.
Sherlock Holmes
Perhaps the role that rocketed Mr Cumberbatch into stardom, this version of Sherlock Holmes given to us by the B.B.C is one of the most popular shows. With a fantastic cast, great performances, amazing soundtrack and off course the proper dose of British humor how does this show fare in this "TUSSLE OF GENTLEMEN"?
Authenticity: 8/10. The show essentially is the stories from the books altered slightly to fit a modern setting. The only thing missing from it being 100% authentic is to have Sherlock be addicted to drugs.
Character: 10/10. From the addiction of something that, though technically legal is known to harm people, to his eccentricity, extreme wit, dry sense of humor and the behavior of a gentleman, the character of Sherlock Holmes portrayed in this is absolutely perfect. A pacifist who wont shy away from violence as a last resort, well mannered, well spoken, if a bit crude and lacking in empathy truly this is Sherlock Holmes, today.
Plot: 9/10. Drawing heavily upon the books to put a modern spin to their stories, the Plot is unique, interesting, and well written. Any fan of Sherlock should watch this show A.S.A.P
Watson: 7/10. Trying to find the middle ground between the book version and the lovable "cuddly" Watson people love to use as a focusing point. Martin Freeman's version has the lovable look of the Watson we all grown to love due to the first Sherlock show ever, while maintaining the intelligence, physical capacity and more independent nature of the books. An alternate, but well done, view on the fan favorite character.
And The Winner Is!
Sherlock Holmes!
Between Sherlock Holmes and Sherlock Holmes, it was clear that Sherlock Holmes would win. Being true to the source content, with great acting, great music, proper British folk doing proper British accents and staying true to what Sherlock Holmes should be, Sherlock Holmes is the undisputed winner.
Now try reading the above sentence again without watching the images and try to figure out what I said.
