Rating: 
Summary: Even better
Review: Although it dates me to admit it, this movie was originally released when I was in the eighth grade, and I still have very fond memories of my friends and me falling in love with it. So when it was released recently on DVD, it was nothing more than a sense of nostalgia that prompted me to buy it, for I remembered next to nothing about the movie itself.And I am so glad I did! Young Sherlock Holmes is the quintessential action/adventure movie of the 80's - big, colorful, and sheer fun. Never mind that certain things don't make sense, that the momentum never lets up, that the entire plot is completely implausible, and that Watson's hallucination reminded me in a very distracting way of the singing cheeseburgers from Better Off Dead (the quintessential 80's comedy). As with the best action/adventure films of the 80's, this movie is meant not to make a statement, but to be wildly entertaining, and it succeeds grandly. Although I had more than a slight crush on the very charming Nicholas Rowe as a kid, I see now that his acting was actually a bit wooden. This aside, he has enough charm and charisma to pull it off. Alan Cox as the sidekick Watson is the real thing, a very fine actor and the gem that makes this movie work. Neither of them went on to become famous actors, but at least are immortalized now in this finally-released DVD. I noted several things about this film that only now have any real significance, portents of great things that at the time were yet to come. First, one of the assistant directors was Andrew Grieve, who went on to direct the spectacular Emmy-winning Horatio Hornblower series for A&E. Second, the screenplay was written by Chris Columbus, of Harry Potter fame (and the movie has a very Harry Potter-like ambiance that is impossible to miss, and very appealing to modern audiences). Third, it was one of the first movies to be assigned the brand new PG-13 rating, which is now probably the most common. And forth, I was delighted to discover from watching the credits that the very ingenious stained-glass sequence (which still looks great after nearly twenty years) was produced by none other than Pixar, still in its infancy and many years away from the glory days of Toy Story and Finding Nemo. Brilliant. This movie, with its faults that aren't really faults but souvenirs of a bygone decade, is even better than I remembered. It is big, colorful, and sheer fun, exactly as it's meant to be. (And may I add completely inoffensive - devoid of foul language, crude humor, and innuendo. Rare, to say the least.) Highly recommended, for old kids like me and a generation of new kids who will enjoy it even more.
Rating:
Summary: A very sweet Sherlock Holmes
Review: The sequence where the stained glass window figure becomes alive was terribly innovative at the time, and remains artistically very satisfying today. I often find many of Spielberg's productions would make wonderful silent movies, whether or not the dialogs are any good. The dialogs ARE interesting in this picture, but also there are so many moments that are pure film, when you can just follow everything without the need for any words. It's thoroughly enjoyable and I give it five stars, although I saw many flaws in it when I first watched it as a child and my objections remain valid. Sherlock isn't remotely interested in his "love interest". This girl is an impossibility in an all boy's school in the Victorian Era, anyway. But if one where to let oneself get carried away by suspension of disbelief (which I find difficult in this instance) it would still remain impossible that this - by the way, extremely - pretty girl has only two (yes, that is 2) rivals to her affection in that whole school full of pubescent boys! There is this scene when they are in the library and Sherlock actually moves to kiss her, and this is not looked upon with either scandal or envy. I'm sorry, but that would not do at all in real life, not in those days anyway. Also, at that age I already knew that one had to be thoroughly dead and devoid of any internal organs in order to be mummified, so several of the scenes were outrageously implausible to me even then. The movie has hardly aged, though, and remains one of my personal favorites.
Rating: 
Summary: Underrated Delight
Review: I remember reluctently seeing this movie when it was first released. I was pleasently suprised at how well the movie turned out. Since then I've read some of the original novels and could understand why Holmes purists didn't like the film, but as a stand alone adventure it satisfies. For those who haven't seen the film make sure you watch the to the end of the credits for a cool twist!
Rating:
Summary: WONDERFUL
Review: This is a wonderful movie, and I think I've waited some 20 years for it to arrive on DVD :) Well... at least 2 years, since I taped over my copy of it on the VHS. If you havent seen it, buy it on DVD!
IF YOU HAVE seen it, buy it on DVD! Too bad theres no extras on it. Anyone know if it will be an "special" edition?
Rating:
Summary: Not for all tastes
Review: A good deal of literary license in fact since Sir Arthur Conan Doyle did not write about a young Sherlock. It is however a delightful renditon that I think even he would appreciate. The Spielberg and Levin magic that later went into the Young Indiana Jones movies was well established in this movie. The cast, sets, and music are excellent. The special effects add to the movie but don't overpower it. The story is compelling and you will be glued to your seat.
Most fans of the Harry Potter series should enjoy this movie. It starts out with young Sherlock going to a private school and meeting Watson for the first time. As he unravels the mystery of an underground society that worships the occult in a hidden pyramid he meets his nemesis Moriarty for the first time. The movie is magical and draws the viewer into a wonderful world of Victorian England.
If you like Spielberg movies you will probably enjoy this movie. If you liked the Indiana Jones or Young Indiana Jones movies you will probably like this movie. The DVD picture and sound quality is excellent. I absolutely loved the movie. It is ashame they did not include any extras. The setup only offers changes of language. No documentary, commentary bios, or trailers are included.
Rating:
Summary: Splendid Holmes!
Review: If you are into any series about young adults unraveling mysteries you should enjoy this movie. Although it is not based on any book written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, they do a good job of emulating what you might expect a young Sherlock Holmes to be like. The same goes for Dr. Watson and Moriarity. Any fan of Sherlock Holmes movies should find this entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: A legend is born (Spielbergian way at least!)
Review: After "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981), "Poltergeist" (1982), "The Twilight Zone: The Movie" (1983), "Gremlins" (1984), "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" (1984) and "The Goonies", Steven Spielberg continued to amaze audiences with "Young Sherlock Holmes" (1985), a movie that stayed in the vein of themes immersed on the occult that Spielberg so much adores to explore. This one directed by Barry Levinson ("Rainman") and written by Chris Columbus ("Gremlins", "Goonies")follows the adventure in which a teenager Holmes launches himself, with an equally young Watson, to discover a murderous plot that threatens some British men with nothing apparently in common. The importance of this film is not only the fact that it shows the first digital character in movie history, but the freshness that Columbus brought to the story and the extremely original point of view with which he aproaches one of literature's most precious and serious characters. The story will keep you nailed to your chair, and you'll start seeing shadows around the corner. Production Design is equally impecable as you're transported magically to Victorian London... with its fog and misterious streets. The seriousness that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle imprinted to his character is still there, but comic relief has an important presence, courtesy of young Watson. There are some mistakes, alright, but the movie's exceptional 80's innocence will be forgiven by almost every one who gets to see it. Bruce Broughton's score is one of a kind! I couldn't nearly believe when I discovered this movie is going to be released on the DVD format, it has been one of my favorites of all time and you can feel the Spielbergian scent all over it! With the Indiana Jones Trilogy being released this
October, I will be the proud owner of almost every Spielberg (directed or executive produced) movie related with the occult. I know it's kinda hard for the Twilight Zone Movie to be released on the Digital Disc format, but, Hey! I'm satisfied to own all the others. Sit back and enjoy being a little scared and excited. P.s: Don't stop your DVD until the credits roll up to the end. If you're a Sherlock Holmes avid reader... You'll be amazed!!!
Rating:
Summary: Please, oh please, oh please! Let it be WIDESCREEN!
Review: It's about time that this fabulous movie is coming to DVD! I've loved Sherlock Holmes since I was ten years old and got this movie on VHS as a birthday present from my brothers. Since then, it has been my most FAVORITE of the Sherlock Holmes movies EVER! So what if it isn't exactly canonical. The movie reflects the spirit of the Sherlock Holmes books written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. And the acting and special effects are superb! I am not going to give away the plot as that spoils the fun of the movie but I will say that it is an adventurous romp that you are sure never to forget, if you've never seen the film. My biggest hope is that the coming DVD will be in widescreen and will have plenty of great extras.
Rating:
Summary: One of Speilberg's Best and Underated Films
Review: "Young Sherlock Homes" is a wonderful, forgotten Steven Speilberg classic that boasts fabulous acting, screenplay writing, cinematography and directing that made it a hit it never was. It's so good, it is actually one of the very best Sherlock Holmes movies ever made in the series modest history. If first impressions from the title mean anything, you may think this to be a cartoonish, happy-go-lucky type film. It's is a serious live action film with etiquette. Without given away any of the plot, the story is about the meeting of young Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson whom meet as English school boys. Their first adventure is memorable, exciting and extremely dangerous. The story is a blend of intelligence and adventure that boasts decent action, mystery, suspense and a shocking twist. Enough can't be said of the performances by Nicholas Rowe playing our young hero (Holmes) and Alan Cox as the cautious side-kick (Watson). I would be remiss if I didn't mention the performances of others in the film because all performances are truly outstanding. Rowe however steals the show, his performance as the good mannered, even keeled and observant Sherlock Holmes is supurb. I feel Rowe's work should have won him an Oscar. (Pretty biased huh?) This movie is also an impressive addition to the resume of Barry Levinson. Again, it's a true shame that this film didn't make a bigger splash upon it's initial release because this work is one of Levinson's best. I can't speak for the rest of the reviewer's, but this film didn't even come to my local theatre, my first exposure to this great film was VHS! How was this gem missed? The entire production crew really outdid themselves. A good example of that is the details of movie sets, you can't help but become captivated by the period is which the story unfolds. Even the special effects (for the time) is wonderful. Just on the cautionary side, parts of the film can understandably be deemed a little disturbing. Nothing on the horrific side, but I offer discretion with younger children in mind. I realize that this is perhaps a generation of younger people that are a little more caloused, but parents should give it a preview and judge for themselves. It may be something, it may be nothing but I think you will enjoy this film.
It's time for the cry of the fan to be heard because this film needs to be on DVD. A fully remastered version with all the goodies a DVD connoisseur has come to expect. Until the DVD is released, if you have a chance to watch this forgotten gem pick it up. I highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best Sherlock Holmes Movies.
Review: Why is there no DVD!! Thats all I have to say about the most action packed Holmes movie ever.
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