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No consensus yet.
All Critics (21) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (14) | Rotten (7) | DVD (8)
... it's a perfectly agreeable family entertainment, a craftsmanlike fantasia on Conan Doyle. Jan 3, 2018 | Full Review…
... it's a perfectly agreeable family entertainment, a craftsmanlike fantasia on Conan Doyle.
Paul Attanasio
If these story elements seem typical of Conan Doyle, there is also a lot in this movie that can be traced directly to the work of Steven Spielberg, the executive producer. Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
If these story elements seem typical of Conan Doyle, there is also a lot in this movie that can be traced directly to the work of Steven Spielberg, the executive producer.
Roger Ebert
This is the origin story for the world's first consulting detective that Conan Doyle was never considerate enough to write for us... Mar 23, 2010 | Full Review…
This is the origin story for the world's first consulting detective that Conan Doyle was never considerate enough to write for us...
MaryAnn Johanson
The idea to center on Holmes and Watson as young men is good and original but the execution is rather poor and Levinson's direction is impersonal. Jun 30, 2005 | Rating: C+ | Full Review…
The idea to center on Holmes and Watson as young men is good and original but the execution is rather poor and Levinson's direction is impersonal.
Emanuel Levy
Squanders its start as a charming character study. Aug 21, 2004 | Rating: 2/5
Squanders its start as a charming character study.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Like a peacock showing its bright colours. Sadly, it's all about show, not substance. Jul 20, 2004 | Rating: 60/100
Like a peacock showing its bright colours. Sadly, it's all about show, not substance.
Ryan Cracknell
Reveals that Holmes' true love is tortured to death in a big-budget extravaganza that provided the bastard sire for Jar Jar Binks. Jul 6, 2004 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…
Reveals that Holmes' true love is tortured to death in a big-budget extravaganza that provided the bastard sire for Jar Jar Binks.
Walter Chaw
Big, silly, loud, nicely designed, and occasionally enjoyable. May 23, 2004 | Rating: 3/5
Big, silly, loud, nicely designed, and occasionally enjoyable.
Ken Hanke
By the time Young Sherlock Holmes clangs to a close, the assets of the film are buried beneath an avalanche of unnecessary bells and whistles. Feb 22, 2004 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
By the time Young Sherlock Holmes clangs to a close, the assets of the film are buried beneath an avalanche of unnecessary bells and whistles.
Scott Weinberg
There is something about Holmes's elegant, haunting, and whisperingly melancholic distance, his analytical remove from the world, that inspires a desire for glimpses of the baroque corridors of labyrinthine interiors. Dec 5, 2003 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…
There is something about Holmes's elegant, haunting, and whisperingly melancholic distance, his analytical remove from the world, that inspires a desire for glimpses of the baroque corridors of labyrinthine interiors.
Joshua Vasquez
definitely worth a better reception than it's received over the years. Nov 23, 2003 | Rating: 4/5
definitely worth a better reception than it's received over the years.
Christopher Null
Not so successful try to install some youth in the Holmes canon. Jun 20, 2003 | Rating: 2/5
Not so successful try to install some youth in the Holmes canon.
Bob Bloom
A great all too little known film from '86. Set in Sherlock Holmes school days setting the story background as he becomes the worlds most famous detective. I remember seeing this at the cinema and it is just the sort of film full of action and adventure everyone should love. Steven Spielberg was involved in the production and it shows. This film has a feel to it like the Mummy and Indiana Jones films. It also has some very good SFX for the time, including very early use of cgi. If you have missed this film then you are missing out, track it down!
Super Reviewer
I might have loved this more if I didn't love Sherlock Holmes. But, I do. The plot seemed hopelessly contrived and the acting--with the notable exception of Watson--wooden. The sets were good, though, as were the costumes.
Described as "fan-fiction" by my Sherlock Holmes book fan brother, and by me as "a good kids movie". Yes, the film makes it perfectly clear, twice, that this story is not part of any of the books about Holmes, or anything written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle at all. But that doesn't make it a horrible movie. It has some good action scenes, and it's structured as a normal kids mystery movie with both foreseen and unforeseen twists at the end. I'm not saying it was a good movie either, though. It has its share of boring talky scenes, but at least they made me laugh sometimes. Overall, it's an okay movie, not too bad, but not good either.
Not nearly as interesting and fun as I remembered it.
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