A rating of three stars from a possible five.
The initial moments of the cleverly named new prequel to Sherlock Holmes, Young Sherlock, depict our protagonist in a tumultuous fight within a prison, after which he is compelled by his brother Mycroft to serve as a porter at Oxford University.
Overview of the Series
Young Sherlock
The image of Holmes battered and clad in prison attire is only briefly shown here, yet it has been heavily utilized in promotional materials, clearly indicating how Prime Video intends to market the series.
It’s quite similar to the portrayal of Holmes we witnessed in the earlier films directed by Guy Ritchie, who serves as both director and executive producer for this project; however, it has been emphasized that these two works are not connected.
Character Development of Holmes
So, is Holmes portrayed as a tough guy in this version? Not quite. In reality, after watching all eight episodes of Young Sherlock, I’m still uncertain about which interpretation of the detective this is, as the path it takes us on is quite confusing.
Is this an issue? Certainly. The series feels chaotic, fragmented, and may alienate devoted fans of Arthur Conan Doyle. Nevertheless, for others, it’s important to highlight that Guy Ritchie has a knack for crafting irresistibly engaging entertainment.
Hero Fiennes Tiffin featured in Young Sherlock. Prime Video/Dan Smith
Marketing Strategies for Promotion
As previously mentioned, Young Sherlock swiftly introduces the main character, a wayward teenager who has resorted to pickpocketing purely for excitement, while studying at Oxford University.
In this tale, he encounters James Moriarty, a fellow student at the university who has secured a prestigious scholarship. Their shared brilliance quickly forges a strong friendship. Naturally, we are aware of the eventual outcome – they will become fierce adversaries, but don’t anticipate a quick journey to that conclusion.
In his first unofficial case, young Sherlock investigates the theft of a scroll that was taken during its transport to the university by a Chinese princess.
Comparison to Previous Adaptations
Yet, this is merely the start of their journey, as the case thrusts both him and James into a realm filled with murder and intrigue, ultimately leading him back home to reunite with his mother, Cordelia, who has spent years in an asylum, and his father, Silas.
Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Dónal Finn star in Young Sherlock. Image courtesy of Prime Video/Dan Smith
You understand the concept – this isn't your typical 'case of the week' scenario like in Sherlock or Elementary. It aligns not only in tone with Ritchie's films from 2009 and 2011, but also in its structure.
The narrative follows a comparable structure, beginning with a relatively straightforward scenario that eventually expands, leading Sherlock to traverse the globe in pursuit of a broader conspiracy, leaving the audience questioning his motivations and the circumstances that brought him to this point.
It must be noted that although such a plot can function effectively in a movie, where the pace is so rapid that there’s little time to pause and reflect, in a series it tends to create a sense of disconnection.
The first three episodes present a narrative that feels entirely distinct from the central chapters, and especially divergent from the concluding segments. This discrepancy is not merely about setting, but also involves differences in tone and character development.
Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Dónal Finn, and Zine Tseng star in Young Sherlock. Courtesy of Prime Video/Dan Smith
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Ultimately, one might question if it would have been more effective to position this as an official prequel to the Ritchie films. Very little would need to be altered, but it would have clarified the ultimate objective and provided a stronger foundation for the character portrayals.
As it stands, we have an entertaining, chaotic, and disposable adventure series that has only nominal connections to Sherlock Holmes, lacking much of its depth. It aligns more closely with Ritchie’s previous works than with Conan Doyle’s, and your enjoyment will likely hinge on your willingness to embrace that.
Young Sherlock can now be streamed in its entirety on Prime Video – sign up for a free 30-day trial of Amazon Prime Video. Additionally, check out our recommendations for the top Amazon Prime series and the finest films available on Amazon Prime.
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Young Sherlock
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