Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century (1999–2001) User Reviews

A personal favorite!

[iandaemon · 8/10 · 26 July 2003]

This "new" Sherlock Holmes (‘Sherlock Holmes In The 22nd Century') is without a doubt AWESOME. It's among the very best animated shows I've ever seen. I'd buy this entire series on DVD in a heartbeat that's how much I love watching it. I already have the four-episode DVD and it's a good thing that DVDs don't wear with play because this copy would be worn out by now. I watch those four episodes over and over and over... Seeing as I'm writing this in 2003 and the shows were created in 1999 does nothing but reinforce my continued love for this series. I love the way hand-drawn animation (i.e. people) is incorporated with computer-generated animation (i.e. vehicles). Visually, the series looks superb. The logic and explanations are not only rational, but also thought provoking, rooted, and justified in the stories and environments.

Scooby Doo upgrade

[adamwho · 8/10 · 16 April 2010]

My wife and I are very big Sherlock Holmes fans so we had to see this cartoon version.

Our impression is that it is a very suitable introduction to Sherlock Holmes for children who can handle minor cartoon violence. In this series, like Scooby Doo, the protagonists use reason and deduction to solve problems that are always human in origin.

Sherlock Holmes' catch phrase (repeated often enough to be annoying) is "eye and brains," which is a positive message to teach any kid. I hope my kids take this message to heart.

One person noted the great computer graphics. Given that the comment was in Jan 2000 (10+ years previous) they can be forgiven.

From a Sherlock Holmes perspective; the episodes bear little resemblance to the originals.

Definitely okay, but didn't really grab me

[sssuperman-dot-com · 6/10 · 3 July 2015]

I certainly wouldn't say this show is "bad", and I can see where some of the appeal lies, but it kind of underwhelmed me. I watched a few episodes, and thought it seemed kind of fun, but it just didn't do enough for me for me to persist.

The thing about the show is that the concept seems so fun. Sherlock Holmes' extremely well-preserved-in-honey corpse is reanimated 200 years later and he resumes being a detective, this time with a female Inspector Lestrade and a robotic Watson by his side. The thing is...it just feels like the show doesn't really "have fun" with its goofy premise. It seems to take itself way too seriously - not that it's dark or anything, just that it plays everything very straight, almost like it's acting like there's nothing weird about the situation when there obviously is. And this just doesn't work for me. It's a show with a ludicrous and yet very charming premise, but it's very unwilling to "let loose" and really have fun with it. I'm not saying this show has to be completely jokey or silly or anything, but at least have the characters react the tiniest bit realistically to the extremely odd fact that a 200-year-old detective is alive again.

Another big problem is Sherlock Holmes himself. He's from 200 years ago, and yet all he has to do is listen to a few teaching CD things to "get him up to speed", and then he's COMPLETELY comfortable in the 22nd century and capable of solving crimes involving technology he couldn't have even dreamed up before. I'm sorry, but just...no. People will accept absolutely absurd things if it leads to a more interesting story, but in this case it makes things LESS interesting. Imagine - the great super-amazing detective Sherlock Holmes has been brought back to deal with crime, but is disabled by being a "fish out of water" and can't really help until he relearns everything he'd ever known. Talk about character development! And wouldn't it be interesting if, despite being taken down a MAJOR peg, Sherlock still manages to use his amazing observational and deductive skills to "save the day"? But now, instead of being the veritable god of detective work, he's someone who has to put in a lot of effort and often rely on help from his friends to succeed. Wouldn't that be extremely interesting? But no, this show doesn't do that, and as a result it feels like HUGE wasted potential. Basically, this show is asking you to believe something ridiculous, but it's not so you can have a more interesting story, it's so you can have an exponentially LESS interesting story.

While this show DOES have merits and can certainly be entertaining, it's hard for me to overlook what it COULD'VE been if it could have just followed up all the way on its premise. I understand that may have been "beyond the scope" of what the show was trying to be (basically a sci-fi adaption of Sherlock Holmes stories for kids), but if they had wanted to do that, why not just make Sherlock be BORN in the 22nd century? Having him be from the past adds almost nothing in this show aside from a huge feeling of wasted potential.

Basically, it's not a bad show, but they shouldn't have created such an interesting premise if they weren't going to follow up on it all the way. It's good enough, but it's SO far from being as good as it could be that I just can't get into it. Just my two cents tho'. Check it out if you think it sounds interesting.

(By the way, the traditional animation in this show is fine, but the badly incorporated CGI for buildings, cars, etc. is really cheesy and bad.)

Response to previous comment

[warren66 · 2 December 2005]

I would suggest watching the first episode of the series. It explains what is going on with the characters. You'll find out why Watson's head is on an android body and all about what happened to Holmes himself. I was confused at first also, but the first episode cleared it up. The main thing I noted was the fact that they use the titles of the original stories and then update them for the time period they take place in. You may understand what's going on better if you read Doyle's original stories. Read a Complete Sherlock Holmes if you can find it. They also have The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes as a separate volume. There may also be other volumes. Ask at a library for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle or Sherlock Holmes and they can direct you to the Call Number. If you want to buy a book, look under Mystery in the book store. Waldenbooks has a good selection. Good luck!

This was a fantastic show growing up.

[trimmsthem · 10/10 · 7 March 2023]

I was roughly 5 when this show came out but didn't really start watching it perhaps until somewhere in 2000. I originally watched some amount of episodes before becoming dismissive of it. I think part of the reason why had to do with the theme song which I thought was stupid back then(even though it is kinda catchy). The other part being was that I don't think I was able to entirely understand what was going on. Around that time, Pokèmon was all the rage, the 1st movie came out and that's all most kids cared about. It would take well over 2 decades for this show to resurface in my memory, entice me to go back and give the show a second chance. And man I'm glad that I did! This show truly is a gem even though there are flaws with it. This is also the type of show that a lot of kids either didn't understand or most kids wouldn't be able to watch it since they would be in school by the time it was on. It would usually come on in the mornings from what I remember. I looked through some of the reviews by others and some were critical of it but only mentioned other movies and some people complaining about the the CGI. Dude, get the hell over it, it was released in 1999-2001. You arent really going to get fantastic CGI visuals in this time period. It really is an interesting watch though. Although it bothered me a lot knowing that the show did not have a real ending. Nothing on confronting Moriarty and him finally dying or being thrown in jail. The show just abruptly ends on Lestrade's "new partner", which is really weird. Either the writers were out of ideas or the show just didn't perform well enough to greenlight a 3rd season. Regardless of that fact, the show is very enjoyable if you don't have an over critical mind about it, you can enjoy the show too.

Good movie

[remiuwu · 6/10 · 16 June 2021]

Good movie but in (the adventure of the beryl board) is a bad episode and it should be banned! First beidre has a gf and she kissed him second a boy called old man an idiot watch the whole episode that's not allowed for kids to see it's for 8 years old kids!!!

Come on, this show is great!

[The Peacemaker · 18 May 2000]

When I heard that there was gonna be a cartoon on about the master detective(though I didn't know it would be animated) I watched the first episode. When I heard the theme song, I thought at once this would be one of those stupid no-deduction cartoons were Moriarty is in everyone and they just run around, etc. But they actually used the final problem! That alone makes this "kids" show unique, and able to watch for adult Holmes fans too! I, having read the entire canon, love how they keep the original stories, add a bit more action (but not too much, you know what I mean), change murders into robberies, assaults, disappearances, temporary disablement, etc. etc. RealmMan couldn't be more wrong! (Oh, and one more thing. Now women have better rights, and Lestrade's descendant is strong and able.) Allow me one more thing. Holmes does deduce, and they aren't cheap ones with no foundation. Holmes can tell by the way a man walks he was once rich and proud, but by his clothes he has lost his fortune and tries to ignore it; when they are trapped in an empty train, instead of busting down the door, fires his gun, starting an alarm and opening the doors. See my point?

This is worth seeing. DON'T listen to the first user comment!

[Obi-Wan-13 · 8 January 2000]

This show is worth seeing because of the computer graphics, the space age gizmos and gadgets, the characters, & more. I think (and I'm sure many others think so to) that it's cool to see Sherlock Holmes in the 22 century. So DON'T listen to the first user comment! This show is cool!

I think the people who did this show did a really good job. So try watching it.

Wonderful inspiration.

[sandiego-4 · 21 April 2001]

Wonderful animated "steampunk" that mixes late 19th century literature with futuristic fantasy. Like the SciFi Network's live-action THE SECRET ADVENTURES OF JULES VERNE, this isn't about the original novels so much about the spirit and adventure of the characters. When authors like Arthur Conan Doyle, Jules Verne, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and H.G. Wells, etc...penned their classics, it was a time when the world was opening up new avenues of exploration on every continent, and new avenues of discovery in laboratories and workshops. It was the dawn of the 20th century and they educated us not only to "what is"...but to "what if". As we seek new discoveries and new adventures in the future we hope there will be literary figures that take us there first that are up to par with the immortal Holmes, Fogg, and Lord Greystoke. This series has chosen one of the best to take us into the 22nd century and perhaps will introduce younger viewers to Holmes and inspire them to read Doyle's original novels. That much better than inspiring them to collect Pokemon cards.

Summary of the story line.

[peteshepherd59 · 8 October 2003]

It's the 22nd Century, and crime has been almost eradicated in "New London", thanks to a rehabilitation program known as "cripnotism." However, a new crime wave makes it appear that cripnotism is no longer working. Inspector LaStrade (great-great-however many greats -granddaughter of the Inspector LaStrade that worked with Sherlock Holmes over two hundred years ago) has a run in with the mastermind, who looks just like Professor Moriarity. Then she hears a news release about a scientific breakthrough that makes reanimating dead tissue possible. Mistakenly believing that the man she saw is a 'reanimated' Moriarity, she insists on trying the process on Sherlock Holmes. It works, and they, acommpanied by a robo-droid that she has nicknamed Watson, begin unraveling the mystery. Later on, Watson adopts a mask of the original Dr. John Watson, to make Holmes feel more comfortable with it. The series actually does a good job of capturing Arthur Conan Doyle's original character, although he does use Basil Rathbone's line, "Elementary, My dear Watson" quite a bit.

LOVE it

[neo_holmesz · 21 August 2003]

*SPOILER ALERT* Okay....for one thing Watson is DEAD. Got that? His head does not come back, his memory does. It looks like he has a head because it's called an elastomask that can make you look like anyone you want to. But he really is just a "computdroid" that read too many of Watsons journals.

(can't you tell I love this show?)

Holmes is not cryogenecally frozen. For some odd reason he was preserved in honey. (If you don't get that read the ~Beekeepers Apprentice~)Moriarty is a clone with the true Moriarty's memories inside, he was NOT brought back like Holmes.Inspecter Elizabeth Lestrade is the old Lestrades great, great, great grandaughter.

Needless to say, I love this show. It can be confusing sometimes but I recommend it to all ages.(I know a woman who is 40 and she never misses an episode.)It has good morals at the end of every episode which is shown or usually said by Holmes. And it is said to sharpen childrens "deducing skills". Like for example problem solving.It is also very action-packed and at many times it can be very funny. Overall, a very cute show that anyone can watch!

It's a little confusing

[Sterling_Steel · 25 January 2000]

This series is interesting but can be confusing at times. It has a lot of potential but it hasn't come through yet. Holmes's wit and keen senses are displayed very well but you still get the feeling that that person isn't quite the real Sherlock Holmes. I'll continue to watch this show despite the occasional bewilderment it causes and just hope that it gets better. You don't have to like it but you should give it a chance.

Plot Mines

[tedg · 3 March 2015]

For the sake of completeness of my Holmes project, I watched a couple episodes of this.

The fancy is that Holmes is placed 200 years in his future. The future setting allows the animators to use all sorts of visual shorthand for sets and situations. The appropriation of Holmes allows the writers existing stories that can be reduced to skeletal plots. These two devices were likely important to the decision to go, as they would greatly reduce costs.

This was inspired by Sherlock Holmes in the 23rd Century (of the decade before), an even cheaper production with even more abstract notions of a future.

When characters and story structures reach this level of reuse, like Frankenstein, it is because they have such power that all one has to do is reference them by sketching, and the viewer fills in details.

The amazing thing is the ends of the thing. The production itself is the scantiest, cheapest thing possible and the external reference is one of the richest.

Holmes thawed out...again.

[SanDiego · 2 February 2003]

Almost word-for-word animated remake of 1993's DEMOLITION MAN. That film had cop John Spartan (Sylvester Stallone) brought into the future from cryo-sleep because he was the best man to catch his arch enemy Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes) who had broken out of cryo-sleep to wreck havoc on the future. Future cop Lenina Huxley (Sandra Bullock) helps John Spartan to adjust and help catch the bad guy. Replace Stallone with Sherlock Holmes, Snipes with long-time Holmes enemy Moriarty, and Bullock with Inspector Lestrade (relative of Holmes' old acquaintance from Scotland Yard) and we now have a series that if nothing else is better than having Demolition Man the Animated Series. In fact, to be fair, the idea of having a female side-kick bringing back Sherlock Holmes from the ice box had already been introduced way back in 1987's THE RETURN OF SHERLOCK HOLMES where Detective Jane Watson, relative of Dr. Watson and played by Margaret Colin inherits a frozen Holmes, thaws him, and greatly improves her detective business. In the unrelated 1993 film SHERLOCK HOLMES RETURNS we find Holmes once again awakening in the 20th century from a suspended animation device of his own creation. The 1999 animated series tries to capture the look of the recently animated Batman series and current comic book illustrations...in other words a little dark, a little anime (or Japanation if you prefer). The stories are not very interesting, the robots are silly (the robot Watson looks a lot like a relative of Rosie from The Jetsons), and much of the animation is just too ugly. In the very first episode, after just being reanimated three hundred years into the future, Holmes has a keen knowledge of the abilities of computers, flying cars and robots without an ounce of curiosity or wonder of the future city before him. Instead I recommend 1979's TIME AFTER TIME where H.G. Wells played by Malcolm McDowell chases Jack the Ripper played by David Warner into the 20th century via a Time Machine. In that film Wells is always in awe of what he sees in the future without losing his keen intellect. Perhaps the maker of Sherlock Holmes in the 22nd Century didn't see it (obviously more of a Stallone fan). Sherlock Holmes will survive. He always does.

Apologies to Conan Doyle

[RealmMan · 26 November 1999]

When I first heard about this show, I was curious. Now, having seen it, I feel sorry for all Holmes fans who have been insulted by this travesty.

The notion of a chryo-frozen Holmes revived in the future is nothing new. But at least the writers could have taken the time to write some original stories! Each episode is billed as "based on" or "inspired by" the stories of the Canon, but should be credited as "b********* from." Example (consider it a spoiler if you want): An episode titled "The Hounds of the Baskervilles," "inspired by" the original tale. I don't recall werewolves on the moon being part of the novel.

As for Holmes himself, I don't know who this guy is, but he's NOT Sherlock. Wearing a deerstalker and saying "elementary, dear Watson" doesn't make him Sherlock Holmes. This 'toon is way too laid back and friendly. He makes me ill.

Bottom line, Holmesians: AVOID THIS CARTOON AT ALL COSTS!!!

Wish I knew

[heweaver · 24 March 2004]

I wish I knew the answers to your questions Jordan-15 - I came here seeking them too, since I caught the program on TV re-runs this AM (Wed 3/24/04)...

IMDB says I need to put 10 lines in here before I can comment on it. I think that is crazy since I've already said everything I wanted to...

IMDB says I need to put 10 lines in here before I can comment on it. I think that is crazy since I've already said everything I wanted to...

IMDB says I need to put 10 lines in here before I can comment on it. I think that is crazy since I've already said everything I wanted to...

IMDB says I need to put 10 lines in here before I can comment on it. I think that is crazy since I've already said everything I wanted to...

confusing, yet intriguing

[Jordan-15 · 28 July 2002]

I'm familiar with Sherlock Holmes, although I have never actually read anything revolving around it. However, I am quite confused about why Holmes was cryogenecally frozen and the only part of watson that was saved was his head. I saw the program this morning, and I had no idea as to why they made it so. it made no sense. Was Watson in some accident that destroyed his human form that caused scientists to create a cybernetic body for him, and saved his head since that was the only part that could be used? that is my only explanation, but I have no clue. What became of Sherlock that caused him to be frozen? was that explained in the pilot episode or not? this whole program confuses me. perhaps a movie will be made to explain much of this. that would be interesting.