Having read the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and watching the Sherlock Holmes series, and films, I was Sceptical about the new film. My main thought was how would the director convey the conventions Sir Arthur Conan Doyle applied to the detective figure of Holmes, such as ratiocination(the ability to make vast conclusions based on small assumptions) .
The opening sequence answered my question with ease. How he applied it was with spectacular fashion. Using slow motion in a film set in the Victorian times would normally be seen as unconventional, but since this is such a contemporary film it becomes a useful and effective technique to convey Holmes ratiocination. Such as the shot where he glances at the night watchman for less than a second, then narrates “Head cocked at left, partial deafness in ear” then narrates the order in which he stuns and attacks the man in super slow motion. The attack is then carried out in normal motion, so we see it twice. Its an amazing effect for the film. I found the film was consistently good up too the end, but after the slow motion fight scenes loses its novelty, it becomes another average film.
Sherlock Holmes was directed by Guy Ritchie, who also used the slow motion time-lapse in films such as snatch, and lock stock and two smoking barrels. Robert Downy Junior portrays Sherlock Holmes, and Jude Law acts Watson. Again, I was sceptical about the casting of the film, but that was probably because I had recently watched iron man. Robert made an excellent detective model, and Jude Law portrayed Watson well. Sherlock Holmes managed to gross $523,000,000 worldwide.
What I liked about the film was the filming locations. I thought it was clever how they used some old streets in Manchester as a Victorian street instead of building an entire set. The costumes were also fantastic, Guy Ritchie portrayer a Victorian environment very well.
My favourite scene was the boat yard scene. I thought the stunts and animation of this ship was excellent. All in all it was a breathtaking scene, with smooth cuts and flawless, and imaginative camera work.
I think most people in my age group would appreciate the film based on these points. I feel that the target audience would be from 15-30, and possibly higher for hardcore Holmes fans. It addressed the audience very well with the use of humour, which I think is one of the main attributes to the target audience. Its also one of guy Ritchie strong points, in the way he can pull off humour in serious films.
It is obvious there is going to be a sequel, and Guy Ritchie tells us this in the most blatant manner possible..with a medium shot of Holmes looking out a window, “Clarky! Case Reopened” and put on his bowler hat, seen at the beginning of the film. A nice touch.
I would definitely see the sequel, I enjoyed the film a lot.
The thing I most loved about the film was the soundtrack and the way it works with the film. Its an unusual soundtrack, with many various instruments, which combines to a rich wall of texture throughout the action packed bits of the film, but remains delicate and sparse in the intimate parts. Its by my favorite film composer, Hanz Zimmer, who used Hungarian and gypsy instruments for the sherlock holmes soundtrack. All the elements combine to make a fantastic film.
Daniel Drinkwater
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