A humorous take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic mysteries featuring Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.A humorous take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic mysteries featuring Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.A humorous take on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's classic mysteries featuring Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson.
- Awards
- 4 wins & 4 nominations total
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It's been ten years since Will Farrell and John C Reilly starred in a movie together. Their previous two outtings not only done well at the box office but are now considered to be classic. This movie must have been something many comedy fans have been waiting for... but what went wrong? I don't think I've read such bad reviews for quite sometime. Luckily or some may say unluckily I went to see it before I read anything about the movie.
Honestly, I don't think the world needs another Sherlock Holmes spoof, it's been done to death almost as much as spoofing James Bond but I was in the mood for a comedy and this was really my only choice. Comedy at the cinema isn't as easy to come by nowadays I find, so seeing these two guys in a film together again I thought.... it can't be that bad.
My honest opinion is... well it isn't that bad. Moments made me laugh, I felt it was paced well and although not as good as their last two movies I felt their fans would get something from it.
I do however see why people are disappointed. Ferrell's portrait as Holmes, I can seeing being annoying to many, it's pretty crude for a 12 certificate (UK , guessing PG-13 in the US)..Mostly though I think is the advertising of the rest of the cast. Several actors names are on the posters, they appear in the trailer but are barely in it. Steve Coogan has a cameo at best. Fans of these actors will only come away disappointed. If they were unexpected,I think the audience would come away pleased with their appearances. Like when Bill Murray pops up in 'Zombieland' for example.
Overall it made me chuckle a fair bit, which is the point of a comedy and I can't think of many films that have done thst for me this year. Most of the comedies we get are animated (lately far more laughs in a pixar than in a live action movie) or the odd random film like 'tag' which although a better made film than this, I dont think I laughed more. I do miss the days of looking forward to the latest movies from my favourite comic actors like Steve Martin, John Candy, Chevy Chase and even Adam Sandler. I saw Will Farrell as one of the last of this breed. It would be a shame for this misfired movie to ruin his career. I think in years to come it will be seen as more favourable.
Also I couldn't help comparing it to the Peter Cook/Dudley Moore 'Hound of the baskervilles' another bomb with a great cast. Actually I say give that movie a go, you may realise this one isn't too bad after all.
Hollywood comedy seems in a slump at the moment, we either need to not have our expectations too high or possibly throw movies the way of new talent? Maybe both.
After this I'm not sure this pair will get the chance to make other film together. A shame.... who knows though they may need the money and the audience get the long awaited Stepbrothers 2. At least they tried something different I guess, remember the first 'Police Academy' was great but sequels aren't always the way forward.
I always thought giving birth was the most painful thing I would ever experience. I was wrong. Watching 5 minutes of this movie was far more painful.
Never have I ever been so bored, disgusted, and repulsed by a movie. My family and I collectively decided to walk out about an hour in, realizing what a waste of time this film has been. There are so many better movies in theaters right now- please, please, please stay away from this hot garbage.
This movie is as bad as its awful reputation. You may cease reading now, since I have imparted everything you need to know about it. I will now blather on for a few lines because otherwise the IMDb would not print this.
It is poorly written. When I heard the word "kids" in the first two minutes to mean small children, and saw girls in a British public school in the 19th century, I thought I was in for a YOUNG EINSTEIN sort of movie. No, it is sloppily, uncaringly written, and nothing about it gives any impression that anyone behind the camera put more than minimal thought into the movie. There are shots that are out of focus.
Ah, you ask, but how about the jokes? There is one good gag, in which the Robert Downey movies are mocked: overcranked sequences in which Holmes analyses what a course of action will yield..... only to have his analysis turn out long. This gag is done three times. There are also urine jokes, sexual assault jokes, and other examples of juvenile humor which are not elaborated, only repeated.
I've wasted an hour and a half watching this piece of garbage and another ten minutes writing this. That's more than enough.
It is poorly written. When I heard the word "kids" in the first two minutes to mean small children, and saw girls in a British public school in the 19th century, I thought I was in for a YOUNG EINSTEIN sort of movie. No, it is sloppily, uncaringly written, and nothing about it gives any impression that anyone behind the camera put more than minimal thought into the movie. There are shots that are out of focus.
Ah, you ask, but how about the jokes? There is one good gag, in which the Robert Downey movies are mocked: overcranked sequences in which Holmes analyses what a course of action will yield..... only to have his analysis turn out long. This gag is done three times. There are also urine jokes, sexual assault jokes, and other examples of juvenile humor which are not elaborated, only repeated.
I've wasted an hour and a half watching this piece of garbage and another ten minutes writing this. That's more than enough.
I love the experience of going to the movies, loading up with popcorn and Coca-Cola and sitting in big comfy chairs. It doesn't matter if the movie is good or bad. Then Holmes & Watson came along and changed all that.
This film is a mess from start to finish, if you're expecting to see another Step Brothers or Talladega Nights, you will be sorely disappointed.
Did you know
- TriviaAccording to Deadline, after disastrous test screenings, Sony attempted to sell the film to Netflix, which declined.
- GoofsAt Moriarty's trial, the judge draws particular attention to his gavel. British judges have never used gavels.
- Quotes
Dr. Grace Hart: Shall we begin the autopsy? Dr. Grace Hart.
Watson: A woman doctor?
Holmes: Impossible. Fortunately we have a *real* doctor here.
Watson: Would you like some heroin?
- Crazy creditsThe film opens with a fake quote from a Hannah Montana episode; Season 2, Episode 4. "Logic is the sword by which we slay ancient superstitions. But lo, the heart has its own truths to tell us."
- Alternate versionsUS and international versions have two different pre-title scenes, showing how the pair first met:
- In the US release, Watson helps a bullied Holmes when the two are children.
- In the international release, Watson attempts suicide above Holmes' garden, where he is growing a large vegetable. Holmes manages to convince Watson not to, although he is actually suggesting alternative methods instead, which Watson misinterprets. Nevertheless, Watson accidentally falls onto Holmes' vegetable.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The Film Brain Podcast: Holmes & Watson: Investigating a Failure (2019)
- SoundtracksJust Won't Stop
Written by Ollie Teeba (as Oliver Trattles), Jake Wherry and Nicholas Eziefula
Performed by The Herbaliser
Courtesy of K7 Music GmbH
- How long is Holmes & Watson?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- Holmes and Watson
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $42,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $30,573,626
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $7,411,522
- Dec 30, 2018
- Gross worldwide
- $40,466,970
- Runtime
- 1h 30m(90 min)
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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