Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century

My wife and I are very big Sherlock Holmes fans so we had to see this cartoon version.

Our impression is that it is a very suitable introduction to Sherlock Holmes for children who can handle minor cartoon violence. In this series, like Scooby Doo, the protagonists use reason and deduction to solve problems that are always human in origin.

Sherlock Holmes' catch phrase (repeated often enough to be annoying) is "eye and brains," which is a positive message to teach any kid. I hope my kids take this message to heart.

One person noted the great computer graphics. Given that the comment was in Jan 2000 (10+ years previous) they can be forgiven.

From a Sherlock Holmes perspective; the episodes bear little resemblance to the originals.

It's the 22nd Century, and crime has been almost eradicated in "New London", thanks to a rehabilitation program known as "cripnotism." However, a new crime wave makes it appear that cripnotism is no longer working. Inspector LaStrade (great-great-however many greats -granddaughter of the Inspector LaStrade that worked with Sherlock Holmes over two hundred years ago) has a run in with the mastermind, who looks just like Professor Moriarity. Then she hears a news release about a scientific breakthrough that makes reanimating dead tissue possible. Mistakenly believing that the man she saw is a 'reanimated' Moriarity, she insists on trying the process on Sherlock Holmes. It works, and they, acommpanied by a robo-droid that she has nicknamed Watson, begin unraveling the mystery. Later on, Watson adopts a mask of the original Dr. John Watson, to make Holmes feel more comfortable with it. The series actually does a good job of capturing Arthur Conan Doyle's original character, although he does use Basil Rathbone's line, "Elementary, My dear Watson" quite a bit.

When I heard that there was gonna be a cartoon on about the master detective(though I didn't know it would be animated) I watched the first episode. When I heard the theme song, I thought at once this would be one of those stupid no-deduction cartoons were Moriarty is in everyone and they just run around, etc. But they actually used the final problem! That alone makes this "kids" show unique, and able to watch for adult Holmes fans too! I, having read the entire canon, love how they keep the original stories, add a bit more action (but not too much, you know what I mean), change murders into robberies, assaults, disappearances, temporary disablement, etc. etc. RealmMan couldn't be more wrong! (Oh, and one more thing. Now women have better rights, and Lestrade's descendant is strong and able.) Allow me one more thing. Holmes does deduce, and they aren't cheap ones with no foundation. Holmes can tell by the way a man walks he was once rich and proud, but by his clothes he has lost his fortune and tries to ignore it; when they are trapped in an empty train, instead of busting down the door, fires his gun, starting an alarm and opening the doors. See my point?

This "new" Sherlock Holmes (‘Sherlock Holmes In The 22nd Century') is without a doubt AWESOME. It's among the very best animated shows I've ever seen. I'd buy this entire series on DVD in a heartbeat that's how much I love watching it. I already have the four-episode DVD and it's a good thing that DVDs don't wear with play because this copy would be worn out by now. I watch those four episodes over and over and over... Seeing as I'm writing this in 2003 and the shows were created in 1999 does nothing but reinforce my continued love for this series. I love the way hand-drawn animation (i.e. people) is incorporated with computer-generated animation (i.e. vehicles). Visually, the series looks superb. The logic and explanations are not only rational, but also thought provoking, rooted, and justified in the stories and environments.

I would suggest watching the first episode of the series. It explains what is going on with the characters. You'll find out why Watson's head is on an android body and all about what happened to Holmes himself. I was confused at first also, but the first episode cleared it up. The main thing I noted was the fact that they use the titles of the original stories and then update them for the time period they take place in. You may understand what's going on better if you read Doyle's original stories. Read a Complete Sherlock Holmes if you can find it. They also have The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes as a separate volume. There may also be other volumes. Ask at a library for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle or Sherlock Holmes and they can direct you to the Call Number. If you want to buy a book, look under Mystery in the book store. Waldenbooks has a good selection. Good luck!