“Then how did you connect the sea monster to the dinosaur?” —Watson
Today’s quick review: Sherlock Holmes. Famed detective Sherlock Holmes (Ben Syder) and his assistant Dr. John Watson (Gareth David-Lloyd) face their greatest case yet when a sea monster sinks a British treasury ship, followed by a series of alleged dinosaur attacks in the seedier parts of London. To solve the case, Holmes and Watson must follow the improbable clues to their unforeseen conclusion while braving a whole new kind of danger.
Sherlock Holmes is a budget science fiction mystery loosely based on the character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The movie fuses a typical Holmes adaptation with the budget monster genre, dropping its crime-solving duo into a far-fetched mystery that has more to do with shock value than telling a cohesive story. Sherlock Holmes suffers from the usual problems of budget offerings, but it partially redeems itself with its sense of fun.
Sherlock Holmes has a number of shortcomings but plays around them well. Restricted sets and weak monster CGI put the movie at a disadvantage when it comes to portraying its world, but Sherlock Holmes is clever about what it chooses to show, stitching together a passable version of Victorian London without elaborate set or costume work. The plot is similar: a ridiculous premise and a flimsy mystery delivered with just enough earnestness to work.
Sherlock Holmes does not have much to offer either as a mystery or a monster movie. The liberties it takes with the source material are flagrant, and its sense of spectacle is hampered by the limited resources at its disposal. But unlike some other budget offerings, Sherlock Holmes manages to have fun with its premise, moving forward at a steady clip and keeping its tone light. As such, it’s an interesting pick for a highly niche audience.
For an offbeat, adventurous adaptation of the character which has no dinosaurs, try the Guy Ritchie version of Sherlock Holmes. For a shaky parody of the character, also without dinosaurs, check out Holmes & Watson. For an atmospheric action movie with a serious tone and a mystery about a potential beast, try Brotherhood of the Wolf.
[3.6 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1522835/). I give it a 4.0 for a schlocky premise, mediocre execution, and some modest charm.