Hey folks, Valkor here. And I really need to start paying more
attention to BBC America and the shows it has to offer, because
honestly another set has come across my desk, and I'll be damned
if I haven't fall head over heels for it. Thanks to the folks
at Warner Home and the BBC we get a 21st century take on a classic
detective, simply titled "Sherlock" (based on the Sir Arthur Conan
Doyle character of the same name). And you know why you'll want
to own this set? Elementary my good sirs - it's that damn good!
Sherlock stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the sluethy consulting detective Sherlock Holmes, while Martin Freeman plays his reluctant sidekick Dr. John Watson. Together they'll solve some of the wickedest crimes that leave the local police scratching their heads, but with Sherlock's amazing powers of observation and deduction, case solving is a piece of cake. It all leads up to a face off against his arch nemesis Moriarty and a great ending to season one. The set is a 2 disc, 3 episode series, with each ep running a full 60 minutes, though it would appear to be a bit longer. Sorry I was too absorbed into the story to worry about the length of it all. Take a gander at what you'll be getting:
A Study in Pink – It's Holmes and Watson's first case together as they try to solve the mystery of a serial suicide; people simply dying in random places. It would appear the person responsible for the deaths is playing a game of chance and his next contender is our number one sleuth.
The Blind Banker – A couple of bankers wind up dead and it would appear the perp is capable of walking through walls, as the bankers end up dead behind locked doors. But a series of symbols puts Holmes and Watson hot on the trail of Asian smugglers, who are looking for a stolen item.
The Great Game – Sherlock and Watson are on the hunt for a criminal mastermind who uses innocents strapped with bombs to daunt the detective, but it would all appear to be a distraction to something even bigger. It's also in this episode where Moriarty is introduced and the show leaves us hanging with a climatic ending.
Extras include commentary on the first and third episode and a 32 minute featurette look at the series. Not a bad 2 disc set, if only it were just three episodes. But alas we move on to…
The Good:
When it comes to a good mystery, I'm all in! And this is one helluva good mystery series. For one thing you won't and should not bring too much thought into this, I know there are folks out there who try and solve the mystery before the end, but this series doesn't play with the obvious. And you know what? Just let the stories play out; believe me the endings are well worth it. On top of the mysteries that need to be solves, you also get a heavy dose of suspense, with some enjoyable comedy tossed it, bringing it all together in one great package of a series. Benedict and Martin own their roles as Holmes and Watson respectively. Their acting really sucks you in and their both quite believable, especially Benedict who really embraces the role of Sherlock, so much so that you'd swear he was born to play the part. He must have been because he's so damn good at it. So you have solid stories, great acting, just an all-around awesome series.
The Bad:
I'm not a fan of the introduction and reveal of Moriarty. I wasn't expecting someone super maniacal, but all that high pitch talk is more annoying than anything else.
The Ugly:
N/A
Sherlock is available now and it's a series that should not be overlooked; it's an entertaining, absorbing and action pack series that's can't miss, can't fail. Out of TOV 5 stars, I give Sherlock 4.5 stars. And it's been Valkor tested, TOV Approved.
