DVD
REVIEW: SHERLOCK
HOLMES
3/29/10
OVERVIEW: Based on the
extraordinary true story, Sherlock Holmes arrives on Blu-ray and
DVD Combo Pack March 23rd from Warner Home Video. Sandra
Bullock stars in this heartwarming real life account of
All-American football star Michael Oher.Teenager Michael Oher is
living on his own when he is spotted on the street by Leigh Anne
Tuohy. Learning that the young man is one of her
daughter's classmates, Leigh Anne invites him to stay at the
Tuohy home for the night. What starts out as a gesture of
kindness turns into something more as Michael becomes part of
the Tuohy family despite the differences in their backgrounds.
And as the family helps Michael fulfill his potential both on
and off the football field, Michael leads them to some
insightful self-discoveries.
On March 30th Sherlock Holmes will also be available ON DEMAND through Digital
Cable, Satellite TV, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 game
consoles and it can be downloaded for rental or purchase on iTunes and Amazon Video On Demand. The Killer Cut will be
available exclusively for purchase on iTunes, PlayStation 3
game consoles and Amazon.
REVIEW: Based on the well known fictional character of the late 19th and early 20th century created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, comes a newer and fresher take on the master of deduction’s adventures, and for what I had heard (I have yet to read the books) it is also one of the most overall accurate version of the character. Guy Ritchie’s “Sherlock Holmes” depicts this iconic character in a way I had never seen it before, and with the help of modern CGI technology, and of course actors such as Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law, and Mark Strong there is little to none chance error to make this movie one of the most delightful movies of 2009 and a great addition to a home theater collection.
I always had considered Guy Ritchie as a singular director. Most of his movies have a bizarre and intriguing look, and at the same time their entertainment value is not affected. For this reasons in “Sherlock Holmes,” he easily excels in presenting us a creative and indulging story full of originality and ingenuity, charismatic characters, and gorgeous settings. He successfully has reinvented and improved characters that have been imprinted on my human subconscious for years without altering their original mysticism. For what I knew from old movies, and shows, Sherlock Holmes was always been smart and logical; he has been famous for his intellect, his observation dexterity, and of course his skillful deductive reasoning. However rarely, I imagine him as a man of action, since Watson usually was in charge of this, or more important an emotional man. This movie accomplishes just that: it completed the characters, it gives them life.
Of course, the director’s approach could not have been achieved without his actors. The cast could not have been any better. The audience could see the chemistry between actors, especially between Robert Downey and Jude Law, it is easy to tell that they were committed to make these characters special and they succeeded. Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes is perfect, his charisma and versatility give the character not only its logical characteristic but also add the human essence, in other words he completes him. Downey gives Holmes depth; he is funny, witty, and charming. The Watson character, in my opinion is what make this movie different than the previous ones, and for that I think is the hardest character to interpret, however, Jude Law does to Watson exactly the same thing Downy does to Holmes. Watson is not longer Holmes’ faithful sidekick; he is that, but also he is a character on his own, with his own life and problems. Mark Strong as Lord Blackwood was another excellent performance he could not been more darker and enigmatic, he was the perfect villain for Holmes, and Rachel McAdams is perfect as Irene; the audience can feel the chemistry between her and Holmes as well.
Technically speaking the movie is also great, visually the audience feels like they are looking at 19th century London, the design of the city, the customs, and the makeup, plus the addition of some historic event like the construction of Tower Bridge makes the movie a treat for the eye. The music and sound is also excellent each soundtrack is perfectly accommodated for the occasion. I could continue talking about how great this movie is from how the director masterfully depicts Holmes reasoning, or the different controversial points of views the movie make like how it subtly touches some controversial ideas like reasoning over superstition, religion, its aesthetic value and much more, but I think I have written enough. It is a shame this movie did not get the credit it deserved it when it was in the theaters, I guess all the eyes were on those blue extraterrestrial beings, and their fabulous 3-D special effects, however story and acting wise, I think this Holmes is superior. Just try to imagine both movies without their special effect and see which one appeals you more. I really hope there is sequel to this movie, with the same cast, and direction as this one. I recommend this movie to any fan of action, detective, and even adventure movies, any fan of Downey’s, and of course any Sherlock Holmes fan, should at least watch it again. If you are a fan and think that this movie has failed to bring the character alive, or it has cartoonified it, as Lord Blackwood said: “you need to steel your mind.”
Review By
Milo
milo@smartcine.com
VIDEO:
Widescreen (1.85:1)
AUDIO:
English
Spanish and Francais 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles - English Spanish
French
SPECIAL
FEATURES: The DVD Version does not have many Special features, which I find perfect since I rarely watch those. However, the only Special feature is worth seeing.
Sherlock Holmes: Reinvented"
- This shows the directors and Robert Downey’s ideas as well as other cast members of the character and how they took the reference from the original books and apply it to the film. (14:07)
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