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Good movie but grossly overrated

Fresh and Exciting

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

I am so glad that the makers of this adaptation did not go for the obvious option of Richard E Grant as Sherlock Holmes, instead he plays Stapleton.Australian actor Richard Roxburgh wisely eschews the theatrics of Jeremy Brett. He gives a somewhat gritty, physical performance in this gothic induced version of Hound of the Baskervilles which is rather fast paced.Ian Hart plays a rather waspish Dr Watson who feels used by Holmes. Watson is not entirely in Holmes confidence when Watson accompanies the new heir of the estate Sir Henry Baskerville to Dartmoor with Holmes claiming he needs to be in London.I felt Matt Day was the weak link as Henry Baskerville, he was a bit bland. Theis drama does have enough jolts and suspense but maybe reveals the true villain of the tale rather early. It was a shame that Roxburgh was replaced for the next outing.

I thought this film was enjoyable enough.It's different than many other Holmes stories in that Holmes himself is absent about half the way, and Dr. Watson has to work thing out.This retelling is unique in that it shows the strains in the Holmes/Watson relationship. Holmes is happy to let Watson take a lot of the abuse and use him to flush out suspects. In this version, Watson doesn't take kindly to being manipulated and rightfully so.It was made on the cheap and the costumes and settings are quite good. I don't think it stands up to the 1959 Hammer version with Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee.The hound. Well, I guess they couldn't help themselves, but the Hound is a CGI creation that just isn't that scary. In any monster movie (and yes, this is a monster movie) you ultimately get to the reveal of the monster, and if it doesn't work, things kind of fall apart.Hammer did very well with a dog with a rubber mask, these guys had all the benefits of CGI goodness and didn't do as well.

While the plot veers slightly from the original I think that's no bad thing as this particular Sherlock Holmes adventure has been committed to celluloid several times. The story is well told and some of the suspense is handled very well. Where this falls down horribly is in the acting or perhaps casting. Sherlock Holmes is witless and boring, charming in all the wrong ways. He doesn't impress as the genius detective but more as a kindly older uncle. Likable but harmless. However for most of the beginning of this tale Dr. Watson carries the story as Holmes is still back in London and he is the biggest digression. He is a creepy and bitter personage with an aggressive and unpleasant tone towards all around him. His portrayal would be better suited as a suspect in an Agatha Christie mystery, arrogant and aloof. This is not the good doctor at all. Lord Baskerville is played as a spoiled and arrogant Yank that that looks down on all those around him. With the other household members correctly playing suspicious and unnerving roles it really leaves you with very little to like. Watch either the Basil Rathbone or Jeremy Brett versions for much more enjoyable and honest interpretations of this great mystery.

Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, are my favorite movies, books, old radio programs and TV shows.Basil Rathbone, (1892- 1967), made a film version of The Hound of the Baskervilles in 1939. Jeremy Brett,(1933-1995), played the title charter on TV for 10 years, and now Richard Roxburgh,(1962), from Australia, are the best and most believable Sherlock Holmes.This version of The Hound of the Baskervilles (2002) is my most favorite. I long for Richard Roxburgh as Holmes and Ian Hart as Watson to make another Sherlock Holmes film together.The production values were excellent. Costumes, makeup, set decorations all excellent. Maybe "The Hound" it self could have been done better, but I don't think that it makes much difference.John Nettles, (Inspector Barnaby in Midsomer Murders), was perfect as Dr. Mortimer as well as Ron Cook as Barrymore the Butler. Richard E. Grant was amazing as Jack Stapleton. I never would have thought of Grant as menacing and cruel.Ian Hart shines as Dr. John Watson. Hart doesn't play Watson as a moron or stumble bum. He acts like a real doctor and an assistant to a real detective. This is a grown up version of the movie. Not G-rated.If you like mysteries, detectives, period films, and horror than this film is for you.Richard Roxburgh plays Holmes as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle wrote him.