‘YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES’ DOES FALTER A LITTLE BUT IS ENTERTAINING

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From the 80s, Young Sherlock Holmes has a bit of star power behind the camera, but it falters here and there.

Young Sherlock Holmes (1985) Film Review

Transferring from one school to another brings a young J. Watson (Alan Cox) to a bustling boarding school in London. Nervous and unsure how he’ll fit into the new place, the studious young man has plans to become a doctor. Meeting the confident and intelligent Sherlock Holmes (Nicholas Rowe) places this goal in danger when John finds himself pulled into the world of his new friend.

One of Sherlock’s beloved mentors and professors dies following a string of other curious deaths being called suicides. Disbelieving any of this to be true, Sherlock along with a reluctant John and Sherlock’s love, Elizabeth (Sophie Ward) set out to discover what is really going on, a choice that could threaten them all.

‘YOUNG SHERLOCK HOLMES’ DOES FALTER A LITTLE BUT IS ENTERTAINING. Review of the 1980s #PeriodDrama with Nicholas Rowe. #SherlockHolmes #Sherlock Share on X

Inspired by the characters that Arthur Conan Doyle made so iconic and famous, this film takes those characters and inserts them into an original story. One in which Holmes and Watson meet as teenagers whereas the established legend is, of course, that these two meet as adults and become roommates. The opening and ending reinforces this through the notice they put on the screen. Nevertheless, despite this not a being a story from Doyle, it’s still a fun time.

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The film also has the star power of Steven Spielberg as an EP. There are places where the film stumbles here and there, largely because it’s not as well produced as could be, however I think some of this is simply down to dated filmmaking. The stunts aren’t as good as they’d be today, but then again, if the actors are performing them (or stunt people) rather than using special effects, well, I have an appreciation for that. (According to film trivia, this was the first theatrical film to have a “CGI character,” which is interesting.)

The film is a tiny bit slow-moving (it clocks in at just under two hours) but the characters are compelling and interesting. The concept is to tell the story of “how” Sherlock became the way he did, which is a man without emotion or people. It’s fun and interesting to see. If you enjoy fun adventure stories, well, Young Sherlock Holmes may be a good time. Especially if you’re a fan of things like National Treasure or other Sherlockian mystery titles.

Stream, at publication, with Pluto TV; or digitally rent / purchase on places like Prime Video

Photos: Alamy

Content: There isn’t a lot to note in this PG-13 film. There are some “scary” happenings and swordplay. Baddies make threats to characters (a fire nearly kills a main character), and another person catches on fire (nothing graphic). A character dies from a gunshot wound. Three men are hit with a powerful hallucinogen which causes them to see things come to life (like birds or small dragons) to attack them. These scenes may be odd to some. We see other characters hit with this too but they make it through to the other side.

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