Erin Rooney
Far, far away, in a magical land called modern day London, army doctor John Watson just returned home from military service in Afghanistan after being shot in the shoulder. Alone, depressed and impaired by a psychosomatic limp, Watson finds himself in sore need of a flat mate–and a new life.
Enter Sherlock Holmes, who is introduced to the audience while whipping the carcass of a deceased.
The BBC’s miniseries “Sherlock” crashes into the 21st Century with the brilliant dexterity and tantalizing style one might expect from, well, the great detective himself.
Resoundingly relevant, Sherlock is currently the best example of writing, acting, directing and story telling flowing together in breathtaking harmony. Yes, that is according to me, and yes that is legit.
The brilliant cinematography of each episode creates fast-paced and gripping visual allure. The miniseries is crafted into three short-film length segments per season. This means that the audience has effectively been given six different, beautifully constructed movies. Beat that, Guy Richie.
Benedict Cumberbatch who plays the titular role in the BBC miniseries "Sherlock", delivers an impressive performance that makes the character his own. (Photo: Courtesy)
I apologize. That was unnecessary. Guy Richie is actually a very good director and his Sherlock Holmes movies are far from terrible. They just don’t hold a candle to the BBC’s version.
Benedict Cumberbatch (yes, that’s his name) delivers an impressively enigmatic and charming performance as Mr. Sherlock Holmes, an amateur detective with unparalleled intellect and self-declared sociopathic tendencies. Martin Freeman shines as the elegantly normal straight man to Cumberbatch’s captivating Holmes. Together the two create an honest and thrilling chemistry that puts the manufactured and exhausting humor of buddy flicks to shame.
While each and every member of the supporting cast is strong and memorable, Andrew Scott is the clear standout as Jim Moriarty, Sherlock’s arch nemesis. Scott’s Moriarty is terrifying. He is the raw rage to Sherlock’s cool deductions; the uncontrollable burn that resonates in the tingling timbre of his voice, as well as the twists and tics of his performance will leave you paralyzed and sweaty. Yes, sweaty. The show’s creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss–who incidentally plays Sherlock’s overbearing and wonderfully prissy older brother–did a wonderful job of using Andrew Scott carefully so as not to overuse or exhaust the character. And they did a great job.
One of the best things about “Sherlock” is that it is legitimately brought it into the 21st century. Technology is not only present, but integral to the stories and characters. It never feels as if someone simply dropped Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s characters into a modern setting. Rather, it feels as if their reincarnations have emerged on our streets; smarter, more formidable and mind-blowingly sexier. Seriously. Just wait until you meet Irene Adler.
Again, it is not that Guy Richie’s version of Sherlock Holmes is bad. Let’s compare them to food, for example. Where Richie’s Sherlock is a McDonald’s lukewarm value meal, the BBC production is a five star, six-course feast that you eat with golden forks. Well, which would you rather indulge in?