The 21st Century Holmes and Watson

     While watching Hound of Baskervilles, the character relationship remains the same, but the story and personalities are different. These changes needed to be made in order to appeal to a 21^st century audience. The dynamic between Holmes and Watson remained the same. Holmes, carrying the majority of the weight while Watson is the one doing the interviewing and is the guinea pig. In the 21^st century, Holmes is quite a bit more eccentric. The way he recalls and processes information could be viewed as a mental disorder in the 21^st century, as opposed to just quirkiness. Watson has also changed in the 21^st century. In Doyle’s “The Hound of the Baskervilles”, Watson seems very timid and only faces his fears because he wants to please Holmes. In the 21^st century however, he is more outspoken when addressing Holmes. Ultimately, he is a stronger character, not just an extension of Holmes. It is interesting to see his transformation. Most surprisingly, is that he was the one who ended up shooting the “hound”, when in the original novel, it is Holmes that shoots. 
     The storyline needed revamped in the 21^st century. Some giant dog, reeking havoc on a family does not have the same frightening affect it once did. By changing the hound into a genetic experiment and ultimately into a hallucinatory drug, this definitely appeals to the 21^st century audience. Genetic experiments and drugs are more prevalent now than they ever have been. Also, the setting has changed. The updated modern home instead of the castle, and the Moor being a minefield instead of a marsh. The minefield evokes a frightening feeling because this movie’s main audience is the British and the World War II bomb droppings the U.K experienced. All in all, this movie reflects the 21^st century definition of the gothic because it incorporates aspects we hear and see every day.