Sherlock Holmes Returns (1993)
Sherlock Holmes is awakened in modern times with a tale that he had invented a method of suspended animation that he had utilized on himself. Awakened by an earthquake, he is helped by Amy Winslow, who lives at 1994 Baker Street in San Francisco. There he is joined by a new group of Baker Street Irregulars led by Zapper. His battles lead him to the evil Moriarty clan led by James Moriarty Booth.
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Sorry, this movie sucks
hyped garbage
Good concept, poorly executed.
All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
This version just doesn't work. The casting and directions are just too off to really get a connection with the viewer. The script and concept, however could work if given some decent production. In fact, it did six years earlier!This 1993 made-for-TV movie was a remake of a 1987 made-for-TV movie. Obviously meant as a series pilot that just never took off. Even though the 1987 cast and crew did it much better, they decided to remake the same script. If you can find it somewhere, its definitely a must-see for mystery and Sherlock Holmes fans. Check it out at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093850/ Just forget about this 1993 version. It's painfully obvious they just couldn't get the same cast and crew that worked in '87 version.
This has the style and class of an episode of Murder She Wrote (one victim dies when his VW Beetle is filled with beetles!) but is utterly and insanely enjoyable - more bad puns than you can handle. Thank goodness it never made a series as this 90 min pilot is plenty enough to entertain, more would just hurt.The script is pretty bad, yet romps along with incredible energy. The plot is grade A rubbish, but don't let that distract you from the enthusiasm the actors put in, bless them. Anthony Higgins as Holmes, frozen for 80 years in a device of his own devising and woken up in 1994, is brilliant - so over-the-top it is pure panto.I don't like the adage "so bad it's good" but this is so camp and groan-worthy I think it may melt any heart into submission.
No, it is not traditional Holmes, but for our family, it was clean, fast-paced and funny ... well worth watching repeatedly! If you just don't take yourselves and Sherlock too seriously, it's a hoot! Yes, the scene at the beginning was a bit hokey, but his demeanor in performing the initial discoveries upon awakening was hilarious.We loved the twists ... thought his ineptitude juxtaposed with his genius was fantastic ... and we loved the sling-shot effect his revised conclusions had on us.I particularly loved his dealing with technology ... his responses to American 20th century slang ... his misdirections as a result of the new "wonders" he had yet to learn ... and yeah, Big Willy ... heh, heh, heh.And then there was Zapper ... ah, he was absolutely the best ... what growth potential there was for that character! Dr. Winslow was a perfect foil ... not just a hanging on the coat tails side-kick ... I liked her.We also had the impression that Mrs. Hudson's character was going to be more present if this had gone into series, and that would have been fun.I wish we could find it in distribution as a CD so we could watch it more often ... the tape I made from the original TV airing is almost completely worn out.So, lighten up and I'm certain you'll love it, too ... if you can ever find it.Please, if any of you find it you'll let me know about it, eh?;-)Yeah ... I liked Moriarity from 'Young Sherlock' being Sherlock here .... that was kewl.
I would like to see a sequel. The situation of Sherlock being alive in the 1990's has tremendous potential and Anthony Higgins doesn't hurt either.