As a Sherlock Holmes fan, I've always wondered why no one had attempted a film or TV show focusing on the "Baker Street Irregulars," the group of young street urchins who occasionally helped out the famous literary detective during his investigations. It seemed like such a natural, particularly when older, established characters like Holmes are often rebooted with a decidedly younger audience in mind (the 1985 flop, Young Sherlock Holmes comes to mind). Certainly the resilient Holmes character can withstand updatings and various permutations; he has to be one of the most filmed literary characters in cinema history, and despite all the variations on the mythology created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, he keeps coming back to our screens.

Filmed in Ireland by RDF Television for broadcast on the BBC, and presented here on DVD by Acorn Media, Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars is a quite entertaining mystery, suitable for the whole family, that focuses on the Irregulars, and their efforts to aid Holmes in one of his most challenging cases. The Irregulars, a gang of children and teens who have no homes or parents, and who live by their wits, are in semi-regular employ of Sherlock Holmes. Their last job for him (shown later in the film in flashback), involved their infiltrating a foreign embassy and nicking a priceless national treasure that had been stolen. The leader of the raggy group, Jack (Benjamin Smith) mysteriously disappears (he's chased by a menacing female figure) and is believed to be drowned. However, his sister and fellow gang member Sadie (Mia Fernandez) never gives up hope that he didn't drown.

Meanwhile, the police, in the form of Inspector Stirling (Michael Maloney) seek out Sherlock Holmes' (Jonathan Pryce) help in investigating the mysterious death of one of their brother officers. It seems Scotland Yard has received threats for the police to leave London, or suffer an ancient Chinese curse: kill one to warn a hundred. A small jade spoon is found with the victim, and the police are convinced that the curse is real. Of course Holmes, the master of deductive and inductive reasoning, the pursuer of science and logic over superstition and emotion, rejects this as nonsense and vows to aid the police in capturing the murderer. However, to start his investigation, he'll need an in into Chinatown, and that's where the Irregulars come in; specifically Tealeaf (Alice Hewkin), the Asian member of the group who is hiding a rather startling secret.

Sadie convinces Finch (Aaron Johnson), the new leader of the group, to insist that Holmes agree to look for her brother Jack, in exchange for the Chinatown information. Holmes agrees, and the Irregulars make way for Chinatown. Gathering the information Holmes needs, Holmes isn't surprised when another officer is killed, but he is shocked when Inspector Stirling accuses Holmes of the murders. Bringing out Holmes' tie pin that was found at the murder site, the police search 221 Baker Street, looking for evidence. In the attic, they find a set of jade spoons, and arrest him. Obviously, someone is setting up Holmes for the crimes, and Holmes is sure it is Irene Adler, the woman in Holmes' life. With Sadie suddenly missing, as well, Dr. Watson chatting up the ladies, and Holmes under house arrest (he's been given seven days, courtesy of his friend, the Police Commissioner, before he's sent to prison to await trial), it will be up to Finch and the rest of the gang to catch Irene before she kills again.

I would imagine that there will always be Holmes purists who would disdain an update like Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars that plays around with the literary version of the character. Certainly the film spends more time on the Irregulars than Holmes, and I can't say that any of the young actors that portrayed the urchins particularly held my attention. The elevation of Irene Adler to a master serial criminal and murderess may jolt Holmes' enthusiasts, but I found it an intriging twist. And some of the anachronisms - most notably portions of the dialogue - were particularly annoying (When "Awesome!" "Duh!" and "No probs!" were blurted out by the kids, they momentarily destroyed the whole mood of the piece).

But as a primer for kids who may seek further company with Holmes, either in a book or in a film, Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars isn't too bad. The film is excitingly directed, at least, with plenty of camera tricks that not only hide any modern intrusions into the backgrounds, but that also keep the story chugging along. The grown-up actors do well, particularly cleft-chinned Anna Chancellor as the menacing Irene. She has a certain creepy stillness here, along with a scary authoritarian voice when she's threatening a child, that works quite well. Pryce, a terrific actor, is decidedly low-key as Holmes (whether he's bored or just knows he's not really the center of attention is hard to say); I would have preferred some sneering, or superciliousness, or anything for that matter that might make his Holmes stand with the countless other actors who have portrayed the detective, but it didn't happen. Still, Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars goes by quickly enough, and may entice kids to take their first look at the Holmes character, which isn't a bad thing at all.

The DVD:

The Video:
The widescreen, 16x9 1.78:1 transfer for Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars is fine, with a crisp look and a muted (on purpose) color scheme that fits the mood.

The Audio:
The Dolby Digital English 2.0 stereo presentation is strong and clear, with all dialogue heard correctly. There's close-captioning if you need help with the accents.

The Extras:
As with many Acorn Media DVDs of British TV programs, there are text bios for the cast, as well as for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, along with a photo gallery.

Final Thoughts:
As much a Boys Own adventure (mixed in with Oliver!) as it is a Sherlock Holmes mystery, Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars does generate some suspense during its running time, and gives the Holmes fan a new variation on the oft-filmed character. Low-key but enjoyably so, Sherlock Holmes and the Baker Street Irregulars is recommended.