DVD Reviews

Sherlock Holmes - Blu-ray Review

By Jeff Swindoll Mar 29, 2010, 15:48 GMT

The hangman did his job, Dr. Watson declared the condemned man dead...yet Lord Blackwood has emerged from the tomb to assert his deadly will over 1890 London. Is he in league with the forces of hell itself? Is the whole Empire in peril? It\'s a mystery macabre--and only Sherlock Holmes can master it. Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law put memorable imprints on Holmes and Watson in this bold new ...more

I’ve always had divided loyalties when the subject of this film came up. 

On one hand, I’m a fan of Conan Doyle’s consulting detective and was concerned about a dumbing-down and glossing up of the character for modern audiences (read: kids). 

On the other hand, I really liked RocknRolla and also like Robert Downey Jr.  When you eliminate those doubts, then what you have remaining is a fun film.  

In 1891, Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) is on his last case with his flat-mate and chronicler Dr. John Watson (Jude Law).  Dr. Watson is engaged to Mary Morstan (Kelly Reilly) and when they’re married he is to move to newer digs with her.  Holmes, Watson, and Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan) are on the trail of occultist Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong). 

They stop Blackwood from sacrificing a maiden for his nefarious plans and he is scheduled to be hung for his crimes.  On the eve of Blackwood’s execution, he asks to see Holmes and tells him that he will rise from the dead and be responsible for three more deaths after his own that will change the face of the world. 

Holmes dismisses the madman’s claims and Holmes and Watson see Blackwood’s sentence carried out.  Dr. Watson declares Blackwood dead.  In the meantime, Holmes is visited by his old flame Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) and presents him with the case of a missing man. 

Three days after Blackwood’s death, Lestrade arrives to take Holmes and Watson to the cemetery.  It would appear that the aristocrat’s tomb door has been opened – from the inside out.  When the coffin is opened, the occupant is not Blackwood and the game is afoot to find the revived Lord and stop his nefarious otherworldly scheme.  

When the rumblings began that Sherlock Holmes was going to be rebooted for modern audiences, my hackles were in a state of getting up.  I speculated that if anything it would lead to the release of other Holmes related films onto DVD (happily yes, but where’s A Study in Terror?).  Usually such a rebooting of beloved literary character, results in a screwing of the pooch for fans of that same character. 

Such was my thoughts.  It was then announced that Guy Ritchie was directing and I was still on the fence, although I liked RocknRolla.  They then announced that yank Robert Downey Jr. was Holmes and I felt a little better - just a little (at least it wasn’t Will Smith). 

The initial trailer came out and I went “uh-oh” but subsequent trailers looked better.  Well, I’ve finally come off the fence (ouch!) after viewing the film.  I liked it. 

Now that doesn’t mean that Downey has replaced Jeremy Brett, Robert Stephens, Peter Cushing, or even Basil Rathbone in my mind, but I found the film a rousing adventure and it just hit the right notes with me. 

Downey acquitted himself rather well in the role and was given ample help in the form of a dashing, man-of-action Watson not the bumbler of Rathbone’s films.  Victorian London is lovingly recreated with computer aid and Guy Ritchie has a firm hand on the directorial tiller. 

Your devotion to the canon might flavor your appreciation. I’m sure some Sherlockians will find ways to nitpick the film apart (such is the nature of all sorts of geekdom).  Each generation has to reinterpret literary figures for their generation and this one has made Sherlock a man-of-action as well, not just the haughty fellow in the Inverness cape, Calabash pipe, and deerstalker cap. 

He still has his honed deductive skills though.  The production wanted to stay away from those stereotypical views of Holmes and steer more towards what has been forgotten about the books.  I think they’ve done a dashing job in giving hints of what Doyle had in mind as well as giving that new gloss to the character. 

Ritchie, directing in suit and tie on occasion – feeling very Terrence Young, hits the right notes in this symphony of deduction and I was a delighted listener.

Sherlock Holmes is presented in a 1080p high definition transfer (1.85:1).  Special features are in high definition and include “Maximum Movie Mode” in which dapper director Guy Ritchie guides you thought the film with visual commentary, storyboards, etc. 

The “Focus Points” section contains several featurettes, which also pop up in Maximum mode.  The 5 minute “Drawbridges and Doilies” examines how the production recreated Victorian London.  The 4 minute “Not a Deerstalker Cap in Sight” discusses costuming and how they didn’t want to fall into the perceived look of Holmes.  The 4 minute “Ba-Ritsu” looks at the martial art and stunts.  The 3 minute “The One that Got Away” looks at the ladies of the film. 

The 4 minute “Powers of Deduction” is about Holmes’ seemingly supernatural abilities to deduct.  The 3 minute “Sherlockians” is about the fans of Doyle’s creation (not talking about this film particularly).  The 3 minute “Future Past” is about the digital tricks used in taking London back to 1891.

The “Behind the Story” section contains the 14 minute “Sherlock Holmes: Revisited” about putting a new spin on a classic character.  The disc is also BD-Live enhanced.  Disc two contains a DVD copy of the film and also does double duty as a digital copy as well. 

Definitely more elementary than alimentary, Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes won me over.  The Blu-ray adds a fine transfer and some high tech special features that makes this purchase one even the Napoleon of crime would make.  

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