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.
SYNOPSIS: In
a dynamic new portrayal of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous
characters, "Sherlock Holmes" sends Holmes and his
stalwart partner Watson on their latest challenge. Revealing
fighting skills as lethal as his legendary intellect, Holmes
will battle as never before to bring down a new nemesis and
unravel a deadly plot that could destroy the country.
REVIEW: The adventures
of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson have been interpreted in many
ways throughout time. I am partial to the Basil Rathbone version
in Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles. Mr.
Rathbone played the ultimate Holmes in films between 1939 and
1946, if I am not mistaken, so I truly believed that no one else
could do justice to this great British detective – that is
until Mr. Downey took on the part. Downey brings not only the
detailed detective intuition of the original gumshoe but a
surprising pugilistic quality. The film begins with our heroes
saving the last of five victims from a satanic serial murderer
(a bit out there for the time period but it works). The
character of the Satanic Lord Blackwood is made all the more
dark by actor Marc Strong, playing the part to its darkest
potential. You feel that looking him in the eye would make you
fall into his dark spell. Well done! Not only do our heroes, who
worked side by side with the authorities (privately hired by the
surviving victims’ family), solve the crime, but Dr. Watson is
brought in to oversee the execution and final decree of death
for Lord Blackwood. Now the real fun begins as things take a
very unnatural turn, but I will not ruin the mystery for you
here.
Dr. Watson as played by the gorgeous Jude Law is a breath of
fresh air. I always thought of Dr. Watson almost as Sherlock
Holmes fall guy or servant in some ways but in this film he not
only holds his own, he takes a few shots at Holmes –
literally.
The relationship between these two is sweet if at times a little
unusual. If you remember any of the old movies, Watson is always
threatening to make this adventure his last but is dragged back
in by a new and exciting mystery made all the more exciting in
its description by Homes. As the film unfolds we find that
Watson is set to become betrothed to the lovely Mary (Kelly
Reilly) and desperately wants to move on and make a real life
for himself, just as Holmes shuts himself up in his rooms in
total distress due to his need for a new and greater adventure.
As I mentioned before, turn of events after Lord Blackwood’s
execution did not go as would have naturally been expected and
so the adventure truly begins. To complicate things, Holmes old
flame Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams) comes into town and is tied
into this unfolding scenario. The two are so good together that
they are bad for each other. As I mentioned earlier, Downey has
similarities to the original Holmes created by Sir Arthur
Conan-Doyle (hey, I love to read and these were some of my
favorites) such as his ability to draw conclusions from the
smallest observations. Sir Doyle created Holmes inspired by a
Dr. Joseph Bell under whom he clerked at the Edinburg Royal
Infirmary… now I might just be boring you. Anyhow, that maybe
where the similarities end. This Holmes loves a good fight, a
good wager and apparently some good hallucinogenic herbs! Hey,
whatever helps? Director Guy Ritchey did an incredible job in
this film. I must state that getting divorced from Madonna may
have been the best medicine for his stalled career! The scenes
of turn of the century England are so true to the era that you
can practically feel the damp and dreary weather coming through
the screen. I must say that the view of London Bridge barely
finished were impressive and so very believable, the sites
inside the buildings and London tower were so true to period
that its seems as if you are taken back in time.
All in all I must say that this movie will give your brain a
workout as you try to solve the mystery, your eyes a treat as
you observe the period unfold before you and just a good time
overall watching Downey and Law do their thing in this awfully
good show – I mean film.
Film
Review By Priscilla
priscilla@smartcine.com
DVD: Sherlock Holmes is
presented in a widescreen format preserving its theatrical
released format. The picture is complemented with a 5.1 Dolby
Digital audio in English, Spanish and Francais. In terms of
special features the DVD only includes a 17 minutes featurette
in which Downey Jr and Guy Ritchie talk about the preparation
for the movie.
VIDEO:
Widescreen (1.85:1)
AUDIO:
English
Spanish and Francais 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles - English Spanish
French
SPECIAL
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.
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