STORY STUDY - MEDIUM: FILM - “Sherlock Holmes”
- Jeffrey Tung
- Oct 1, 2018
- 2 min read
When there’s a serial murder going on in 19th century London, there’s only one detective out there to solve the case.
Directed by Guy Ritchie, written by Michael Robert Johnson and Anthony Peckham and Simon Kinberg, story by Lionel Wigram and Johnson, and based on the stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes is about our title character and his partner, Dr. John Watson, who stops Lord Blackwood from murdering a sixth woman in a ritualistic killing.
Blackwood is subsequently sentenced to hang until death, which does take place. However, he has somehow risen from the grave, and more deaths occur since his resurrection.
The game is on to locate him and figure out how this supposedly mystic situation is even possible.
At the time of its release, I was not a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes or even detective/mystery stories. Nothing wrong with them, it’s just my interest was not high enough. However, what got me interested into seeing this movie is how it was directed and presented; in simpler terms, the tone.
The film is an action comedy, and Sherlock himself is a genius but with a weird personality. He’s kind of like Jack Sparrow in that if he were to go up to you, you can’t tell if he’s crazy, if he has something up his sleeve, or both. Another common element? They can both fight.
Sherlock’s precision is showcased through a clever use of slow motion when he’s fighting a bigger opponent in some underground fight ring. He deduces where he has to hit, and then does it, correctly assuming the opponent will be knocked out.
The banter between Sherlock and Watson is enjoyable to watch; Sherlock showing off his intelligence and cleverness, and Watson knocking him down a notch.
The film perfectly matches the style of my favorite films; a serious situation but isn’t afraid to be humorous at parts. That’s really the best way to describe Sherlock Holmes. It’s a fun adventure and a thrilling mystery set in a very rich 19th century environment.
Go ahead and investigate for yourself.
