Mr. Holmes Blu-ray Review
Score: 65
from 4 reviewers
Review Date:
Mr. Holmes showcases a superb McKellen in a moving yet occasionally slow tale, with excellent technical merits but lacking substantial Blu-ray extras.
Disc Release Date
DTS-HD MA
Video: 78
Presented on Blu-ray by Lionsgate with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 2.40:1, 'Mr. Holmes' boasts superb detail and clarity, vibrant exterior scenes, and natural skin tones, though it falls short of reference quality due to minor shadow detail deficits and occasional aliasing.
Audio: 70
Mr. Holmes' lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track achieves a refined, dialogue-centric presentation with crisp vocals, Carter Burwell’s evocative score, and nuanced ambient sounds, making full use of the surround sound capabilities while maintaining an elegant balance suitable for drama.
Extra: 28
Mr. Holmes Blu-ray Extras include concise HD featurettes on portraying the iconic detective and the plot, plus the original theatrical trailer, offering engaging and professional insights into the film.
Movie: 74
Mr. Holmes redefines the legendary sleuth as a poignant character study about aging and memory, featuring Ian McKellen’s superb performance as a 93-year-old Holmes dealing with his final unsolved case through intricate flashbacks. Despite a slow narrative, its emotional depth and technical proficiency make it a standout in Holmes adaptations.
Video: 78
The Blu-ray presentation of "Mr. Holmes" by Lionsgate Films delivers a visually rich and detailed experience. Utilizing an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio and shot digitally with the Arri Alexa XT, the film's video quality is commendable. The transfer offers sumptuous hues, particularly in scenes where Holmes engages with his garden and apiary, and adopts a more subdued yet evocative palette for interior and flashback sequences. One standout flashback scene depicting the ash-laden Hiroshima employs green screen technology to create a soft, surreal ambiances that suits the narrative's nightmarish tone perfectly. Detail levels are exceptional, especially in close-ups, thanks to the remarkable aging makeup on Ian McKellen as the 93-year-old Holmes. While there are minor dips in shadow detail during the darkest scenes and slight shimmer on Holmes' heavy tweed coat, these issues do not detract significantly from the overall stunning and satisfying visual presentation.
Technically, the clarity and depth of the presentation is noteworthy, with exterior footage displaying considerable 'pop' and inky black levels adding richness to the image. Banding, noise, and other common artifacts are practically non-existent, allowing viewers to fully appreciate the balanced color scheme and natural skin tones. The exterior bee-keeping scenes particularly exemplify the transfer's depth and spacing, capturing fine details in textures, skin tones, and environments while maintaining a rich and bold visual aesthetic. The inclusion of lifelike greens that standout further enhances the film’s natural tone. Despite minor aliasing detectable to the keen eye, this meticulous transfer remains clean and near reference-quality, solidifying "Mr. Holmes" as a visually impressive experience on Blu-ray.
Audio: 70
The audio presentation of "Mr. Holmes" on Blu-ray utilizes a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track, which effectively supports the film's subtle, dialogue-driven nature. While not heavily reliant on surround sound activity, the ambient environmental sounds, such as the humming of bees and the occasional train journey, deliver an immersive experience that captivates without overwhelming. The dialogue dominates the front channels, offering crisp and clear vocals that are essential for a movie centered on intricate exchanges. Carter Burwell's evocative score permeates the mix beautifully, enhancing the emotional undertones without overshadowing the primary elements.
Though some might argue that a 2.0 mix could have sufficed, the 5.1 track's nuanced approach to ambient sound placement in rear speakers provides an elegant auditory landscape. The low-frequency effects are minimal yet effective, punctuated by subtle cues such as door closes and musical entries. Even though the soundtrack does not aim to impress with dynamic range, its restraint ensures a focused and intimate auditory experience that aligns with the film’s contemplative tone. The overall mix is well-balanced, making it an ultimately enjoyable auditory presentation that complements the movie's mood and narrative context.
In addition to its main features, the Blu-ray includes subtitles in English SDH, English, and Spanish, broadening accessibility for diverse audiences. Overall, the audio track may not be groundbreaking but it serves "Mr. Holmes" well, providing the necessary clarity and atmospheric depth to accommodate its storytelling needs proficiently.
Extras: 28
The Blu Ray extras for "Mr. Holmes" provide a concise yet insightful glimpse into the film's unique approach to the legendary character and storyline. The highlight, "Mr. Holmes: The Icon," delves into the challenges and considerations Ian McKellen faced in portraying Sherlock Holmes, offering valuable behind-the-scenes perspectives. Another featurette, "Mr. Holmes: The Story," succinctly discusses the plot's intricacies, providing background context that enriches the viewing experience. Lastly, the inclusion of the original theatrical trailer rounds out this robust package, making it an appealing addition for both fans and cinephiles.
Extras included in this disc:
- Mr. Holmes: The Icon: A brief look at portraying a famous character, featuring Ian McKellen.
- Mr. Holmes: The Story: A short featurette detailing the film’s plot.
- Theatrical Trailer: The original promotional trailer for the movie.
Movie: 74
Bill Condon's "Mr. Holmes" presents an aging Sherlock Holmes, masterfully portrayed by Ian McKellen, navigating the complexities of old age and fading intellect. The film skillfully intertwines multiple timelines, reflecting on Holmes' final unsolved case and his interactions with a Japanese herbalist, played by Hiroyuki Sanada, who seeks his aid for more personal motivations. Set in 1947, the story portrays Holmes, now 93, living in a rustic Sussex chateau under the care of his housekeeper Mrs. Munro (Laura Linney) and her son Roger (Milo Parker). The narrative explores Holmes' efforts to amend Dr. Watson's embellished account of his last case involving a heartbroken woman—a tale marked by tragedy and missed deductions—while simultaneously developing a touching grandfather-like bond with Roger.
McKellen's performance transcends the detective's typical portrayal, presenting a man grappling with vulnerability and loss. This Holmes confronts the deterioration of his once razor-sharp mind—a theme that brings both emotional depth and dramatic tension to the film. Although some viewers may find the pacing slow, the deliberate unfolding mirrors Holmes’ own slowed existence, accentuating his frustrations and moments of clarity. The screenplay by Jeffrey Hatcher, adapted from Mitch Cullin's novel "A Slight Trick of the Mind," attempts to seamlessly merge these temporal strands, though occasionally struggling to maintain coherence.
"Mr. Holmes" stands out not as a conventional mystery but as a poignant character study. The film underscores Holmes' humanity through his relationship with Roger and reflects on themes of isolation and memory. While Laura Linney's role as Mrs. Munro is somewhat underutilized, her performance remains solid and wryly touching. McKellen’s portrayal is award-worthy, capturing the essence of a once-great mind now haunted by its own frailties. This unique take on the iconic detective offers a fresh perspective, making it a compelling watch for fans seeking something beyond traditional Holmesian escapades.
Total: 65
"Mr. Holmes" is a refreshingly intelligent and emotionally rich addition to the Sherlock Holmes canon. Ian McKellen delivers a standout performance, effectively embodying an aging Holmes grappling with memory loss and the inevitable decline of his faculties. Director Bill Condon skillfully navigates the film's flashback structure, maintaining a steady narrative pace and integrating these temporal shifts without any major hiccups. The supporting cast complements McKellen's portrayal beautifully, contributing to a well-rounded and engaging film experience.
Technically, the Blu-ray presentation of "Mr. Holmes" is superb, offering a visually appealing and sharply defined viewing experience. However, the release is rather sparse in terms of supplementary content, providing little beyond the film itself. Nonetheless, the production value and storytelling prowess make it a worthwhile investment, especially at its modest price point on platforms like Amazon.
Ultimately, "Mr. Holmes" stands out for its heartfelt exploration of themes such as regret, hope, and the process of aging. Despite some criticisms regarding its pacing, the film remains a poignant and compelling narrative that expertly melds mystery with introspective drama. It is an essential watch for any Sherlock Holmes fan and is strongly recommended for its emotional depth and technical excellence.
Blu-ray.com review by Jeffrey KauffmanRead review here
Video: 90
Digitally shot with the Arri Alexa XT, the film boasts an impressively burnished quality that offers some sumptuous hues as Holmes tools about his garden and apiary, as well as a more subdued but still...
Audio: 80
Otherwise, the film tends to play out in at least relatively more restrained dialogue scenes, and the 5.1 track offers excellent support if not a glut of surround activity in these moments....
Extras: 40
Mr. Holmes: The Story (1080p; 2:49) is another brief EPK that ostensibly deals with the plot....
Movie: 70
While there is a mystery of sorts playing out within Mr. Holmes, this is much more of a character piece, and in fact it plays at least somewhat similarly to director Bill Condon's other reimagining of...
Total: 70
Mr. Holmes occasionally winks at its subject in much the same joking manner as Without a Clue, but it's also a curiously distant feeling film at times, something that's perhaps perfectly in tune with its...
The Digital Bits review by Bill HuntRead review here
Video: 85
Audio: 85
Nevertheless, the dialogue is crisp and clear, and Carter Burwell’s expressive score is well presented....
Extras: 35
Movie: 95
The name conjures images of a pipe, a deerstalker, and a keenly analytical mind – a brilliant consulting detective in his prime, applying deductive reasoning to solve the toughest crimes in Victorian era...
Total: 75
The script is smart, Bill Condon’s direction is deft and observant, and the cast truly shines....
High-Def DigestRead review here
Video: 80
As one might expect, the detail and clarity of this presentation is top-notch, with wonderful details and depth, inky black levels, and an overall amount of 'pop' to the image that really shows in some...
Audio: 80
As one can probably suspect, 'Mr. Holmes' is a dialogue-heavy movie, but it also has opportunities for the track to use some ambient sounds, like when Holmes travels by train or does his beekeeping duties...
Extras: 0
A short featurette discussing Ian McKellen taking on the role of the world's most famous fictional detective....
Movie: 80
His housekeeper's young son, Roger, is fascinated with Holmes, his beekeeping, and the story he's attempting to write, and the relationship between the two – very much like a grandfather/grandson – is...
Total: 60
It's a tale of heartbreak, loneliness, and regret, but it's also one of hope and righting old wrongs, and it's definitely one of the better Sherlock Holmes stories ever to make it to the big screen....
Why So Blu? review by Brandon PetersRead review here
Video: 100
There are a lot of darker clothing objects worn and shadows used in city scenes that still maintain most all if its details....
Audio: 80
Rear speakers primarily are the keepers of ambient sound, with minimal moments of finding their own identity....
Extras: 20
Mr. Holmes: The Story (HD, 2:49) – Another bit of more promotional affair focusing on the film’s plot....
Movie: 60
McKellan is good, and those who are fans of the Sherlock Holmes character should take a look, but for those unsure, just think about some of the pacing things I pointed out in my review before you make...
Total: 60
Mr. Holmes seemed like such a fun “concept + actor” film, but it ultimately takes what could bet a great 1-hour television special/movie and stretches it into a 100 minute feature film....
Director: Bill Condon
Actors: Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, Hiroyuki Sanada
PlotAn aging detective, now retired, is living in a remote Sussex farmhouse with his housekeeper and her young son. Struggling with the early stages of dementia, he reflects on his past cases and wrestles with the limitations brought on by his fading memory. His current obsession is a 30-year-old unsolved case that led to his retirement: the mystery of a troubled woman. Haunted by his inability to close it, he attempts to reconstruct the details by reviewing his notes and recalling fragments of his memories.
Simultaneously, he forms a bond with the housekeeper's insightful and curious son, who shares an interest in sleuthing. As they delve into the past together, he gradually uncovers missed cues and dangers, which helps him come to terms with his own humanity and vulnerability. This journey of rediscovery provides profound insights about guilt, memory, and the importance of compassion, leading him to a poignant revelation about the nature of his identity and legacy.
Writers: Mitch Cullin, Jeffrey Hatcher, Arthur Conan Doyle
Release Date: 24 Jul 2015
Runtime: 104 min
Rating: PG
Country: United Kingdom, United States
Language: English, Japanese, French