SHERLOCK HOLMES

Starring:
Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, Rachel McAdams, Mark Strong, Eddie Marsan, James Fox and Geraldine James

Director:
Guy Ritchie

Running Time:
128 mins

Out to buy on Blu-Ray/DVD 17/05/10

 

"HOLMES!!"

After solving the case of the occult serial killer, Sherlock Holmes (Downey Jr.) and Dr. John Watson (Law) think they have seen the last of Lord Blackwood (Strong) as he heads for the gallows. The proclaimed sorcerer promises to rise from the grave however and resume his rise to power, leaving even more bodies in his wake. When this statement comes true, Holmes and Watson are back on the case but with his assistance about to leave 221b Baker Street to be married and the woman who has always intrigued him Irene Adler (McAdams) returning to Victorian London, will the master detective be able to put his full concentration into the case.

When you think of the great detectives of cinema, novels, comic books, radio and TV one name instantly springs to mind, Sherlock Holmes but can Hollywood breath new life into the famous investigator?

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s beloved detective Sherlock Holmes and his trusted assistant Doctor Watson have been solving mysteries in every possible medium since 1887. The character has been played by many an actor with Peter Cushing, Tom Baker, Peter O’Toole, Jeremy Brett, Peter Cook, Christopher Plummer, John Cleese and the immortal Basil Rathbone bringing the great detective to life, as well as his adventures as a youngster and even a Disney animated version gracing the big and small screen. The question fans of the sleuth are asking however is do we need another cinematic adventure for Sherlock Holmes and the answer is a definitive yes but this is a slightly different version of the great detective.

When British director Guy Ritchie was announced as the man entrusted with bringing a new version of the classic Sir Arthur Conan Doyle character to the silver screen, it was certainly an appointment met with great interest. The man who made his name making London based gangster flicks such as ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’, ‘Snatch’ and ‘RockNRolla’ but also brought us the awful ‘Swept Away’ and ‘Revolver’ and was better known to the American audience as the former husband of Madonna, critics and fans alike wondered what Ritchie would do to the character. All of those fears and apprehension were unfounded however, as Guy Ritchie has proved that he can cope with and deliver a huge Hollywood blockbuster.

What Guy Ritchie and his creative team jumped over the first hurdle of any Sherlock Holmes adaptation, the casting of the classic character and his assistant. When it comes to getting someone to play the master detective, an English man is usually the way to go but after reinvigorating his career after many, well documented personal problems in ‘Iron Man’, Robert Downey Jr. steps into the role of Sherlock Holmes and instantly makes the character his own. As Holmes, he approaches the role a little differently from the men who have preceded him. Still with the amazing analytical mind see clues where no one else can, Downey Jr.’s Sherlock is an obsessive compulsive, on the edge of madness who lives for the case and almost goes spare when he has nothing to do, turning to science, experiments and driving Watson around the bend. This very different Holmes, makes this adaptation stand out from what has come before. Holmes would be nothing without Watson and Jude Law steps into that role with ease. Better known for more dramatic or romantic roles, Jude Law has tried his hand at action a few times before, with differing success but the role of Dr. John Watson is one that requires an actor who is just as good with his lines as he is with a pistol. One aspect that had to happen however, was the chemistry between the two as Holmes and Watson had to be much more than just friends but a crime fighting duo and Downey Jr. and Law have this down to a tee, appearing, at times, to more like a bickering married couple than anything but it is this that drives the film and the characters. Supporting the pair is an ensemble of actors that also bring much more to the film. Mark Strong is making a name for himself playing villains and he is as good as ever in the role of Lord Blackwood. The one woman able to get under the skin of Holmes, Irene Adler is played with real gusto by Rachel McAdams and the always-excellent Eddie Marsan makes a great Inspector Lestrade.

Modernising but keeping the essence of the stories and characters, Guy Ritches’ ‘Sherlock Holmes’ is a joy to watch. With excellent performances, the visual stunning recreation of Victorian London, an excellent score by Hans Zimmer, this is a new start for the classic detective. With twists and turns a plenty and an underlying plot that will continue the tale, it is elementary to think that this is the start to an excellent new franchise.

PICTURE & SOUND

The Blu-Ray disc presents the movie in High Definition wide screen 1:85 up to 1080p, with Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround sound. The Blu-Ray package also includes the DVD and Digital Copies of the movie, making it a great value package.

BONUS FEATURES

Sherlock Holmes: Reinvented
Together, Guy Ritchie and Robert Downey Jr. have reinvented Sherlock Holmes. See how these two reinterpret the master sleuth and how Downey prepares for the role and why his Thespian approach takes this classic character to levels never depicted before.

Maximum Movie Mode
Director Guy Ritchie comments on screen about the making of ‘Sherlock Holmes’ with picture-in-picture, storyboard comparisons, still galleries, focus points and a timeline helping him along the way.

Featurettes
Watch the short featurettes used within the Maximum Movie Mode

BD Live
Place the Blu-Ray into an internet enabled player or PlayStation 3 and gain extra bonus features

OVERALL

The Blu-Ray package for ‘Sherlock Holmes’ is one that fans will enjoy. The Maximum Movie Mode is very good and the fact that you also receive the DVD and digital download in this package makes this really good value.

BLU-RAY


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