I've read all of the books too, and that's why I actually liked the change in Watson. I thought he was too much of a school boy being led around. He's a doctor so he's obviously not dumb, and I'm glad they gave him a little more of a role than that in the films.

And you're right Holmes was never a ladies man... :)

I never had a problem with him in the books. In fact, I thought he was great. In his aside commentary/narration, he'd occasionally make little quips about Holmes, but he always respected Holmes and had that "school boy" thing around him. Though in the most pressing of matters he wasn't afraid to, on the rare occasion, set him straight or tell him like it was.

Never did this persona seem to discredit Watson. He always came across as intelligent and a man that could handle himself. And he was always there to step up when Holmes needed backup, etc. I think the "school boy" thing though really helped show how awesome Sherlock Holmes was (he's so badass lol). Not only this but Watson's timidness and "good boy" routine helped illustrate how Holmes was in fact the quintessential antihero.

But yea, I never thought he came across as dumb in the books. In fact, Doyle did a very good job of ensuring the reputability of his character. This in turn helped show how great Holmes was because someone as even smart and reputable and talented as Watson even was awestruck by Holmes.

Anyways, that's not to say I hated Jude in there. I didn't. Like I said, they had good chemistry. And I really enjoyed the movie. That's more of just a minor gripe that I have as a fan of the books. That it's a change. Much like Holmes being a ladies man in the movie. I didn't care for it because that's not the real Holmes, but at the same time it doesn't at all ruin it for me.