Sherlock Holmes Blu-ray, Video Quality

 

There will be those who gripe and grumble at the mere sight of Sherlock Holmes, my dear Watson. Too dark! Too flat! Too murky! However, those who see the beauty in director Guy Ritchie and cinematographer Philippe Rousselot's pepper-washed Victorian palette, those familiar with the filmmakers' intentionally grim-n-grimy aesthetics, and those with an affinity for the director's stylized visual flair will make a rather astute conclusion: that Warner's bold and bleak 1080p/VC-1 transfer is an impressive one. What can we deduce from the outset? Hulking shadows, deep blacks, and opium-stained greens dominate the proceedings, lending both sun-struck exteriors and fire-bathed interiors a somber disposition. Primaries are reserved, yet bursts of flame and warm skintones bring color to the screen, injecting life where there would otherwise be little. Moreover, depth and dimensionality evoke a 19th century portrait; a fitting quality considering the tone set by the great detective's introduction and Ritchie's opening credits. Fine detail is just as rewarding, even if its quality is entirely dependent on the weight of Rousselot's oppressive shadows. Soft shots abound, mind you, but they're the exception rather than the rule, and each one traces back to the filmmakers, not the studio's encode. Textures are generally razor-sharp, closeups look magnificent, and overall clarity is exceedingly commendable, especially considering the nature of Rousselot's photography.

Better still, ringing, aliasing, noise reduction, banding, macroblocking, and compression anomalies are nowhere to be found (save some faint artifacting that appears when Watson flings open the dusty curtains in Holmes' apartment). If the transfer suffers it's at the hands of some rampant (albeit manageable) crush and fleeting source noise. The darkness surrounding Holmes frequently merges with Downey's black hair, coat, and hat, creating several indistinct on-screen inkblots. Likewise, brighter shots are occasionally dotted by nearly imperceptible, white pinpoints that undermine the integrity of faces and fabrics. Neither issue becomes a debilitating problem -- they may not even be the fault of the technical transfer -- but both are worth mentioning. As it stands, fans and newcomers will be most pleased with the results, providing they're armed with appropriate expectations.

Sherlock Holmes Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 

Sherlock Holmes conjures up an able-bodied DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track; one that strikes an effective balance between Downey's soft-spoken, rapidfire chatter and Ritchie's more rambunctious fisticuffs and explosive action sequences. Dialogue is crisp, lively, and well prioritized, and rarely gets dragged beneath any chaos that ensues. I couldn't resist turning on the subtitles, but only so I could catch every leaf-on-the-wind syllable hurtling out of Holmes and Watson's mouths, not because of any technical mishaps. Rear speaker activity is both subtle and aggressive, crafting a convincing soundfield that made me turn my head on more than one occasion. The results are a tad artificial at times -- in the first ten minutes alone, pounding horse hooves, rattling carriages, babbling cultists, and the wet clock clack of 19th Century London's slick-stoned streets furiously encircle the listener -- but it makes for a wholly immersive sonic experience. Similarly, the LFE channel occasionally lumbers about, even when it should tiptoe, but its hearty thooms, thunderous eruptions, and palpable heft are welcome additions to the mix. It only helps that directionality is spot on, Hans Zimmer's pithy score leaves a notable mark, and pans are as impeccable as Holmes' intellect. The only significant issue audiophiles will encounter? A handful of scenes sound a bit damp compared to the rest of the film. Granted, it doesn't spoil the track's wares, but it is a slight distraction. Regardless, Warner's fit and faithful mix is strong enough to warrant any attention and praise that comes its way.

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1 (less)

English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese

English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese (less)