Quick TV/Netflix Review: “Sherlock”
Posted By Russ Emerson on May 9, 2012 at 3:08 pm
Sherlock
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman.
Quick Review: Sherlock Holmes translated to the 21st century works. Especially when the writers are better than merely elementary.
And when the creators/writers are part of the Doctor Who camp, you know that at various times it’ll be fascinating, spooky, surprising, and laugh-out-loud funny.
5 stars.
The first three episodes — mini-movies, really — are available (DVD and streaming) on Netflix. New episodes are currently airing on PBS’s “Masterpiece Mystery.”
Benedict Cumberbatch shines as Holmes, and Freeman is a brilliant Watson. Andrew Scott, as Moriarty, is inspired in his sheer badness. None, however, would have half the impact were it not for the exceptional writing.
Scene: Holmes and Watson are on their way to see Irene Adler. They get out of their taxi. Holmes has a plan to gain entry to her home, but hasn’t told Watson….
Watson: “Are we here?”
Holmes: “Two streets away, but this will do.”
Watson: “For what?”
Holmes: “Punch me in the face.”
Watson: “Punch you.”
Holmes: “Yes, punch me. In the face. Didn’t you hear me?”
Watson: “I always hear ‘punch me in the face’ when you’re speaking, but it’s usually subtext.” [This might be the single best line of dialogue I’ve ever heard, anywhere, ever.]
Holmes: “Oh, for God’s sakes.” [punches Watson.][Watson punches Holmes — in the face. He then tackles him and they wrestle. Watson ends up with a chokehold on Holmes.]
Holmes: [strangled voice] “OK, I think we’ve done enough, John.”
Watson: “You ought to remember, Sherlock, I was a soldier. I killed people.”
Holmes: “You were a doctor.”
Watson: “I had bad days.”
I laughed until I almost couldn’t breathe.