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- Robert Harris
Bill Condon's Mr. Holmes offers us a variant we've not before visited.
Iam McKellen is Mr. Holmes in his dotage, putting together clues about a final "failed" case that sent him into self-proclaimed retirement.
Holmes was 92 years old in 1947, when this film takes place, and still generally in control of his weakening faculties, and able to control many things, short of Rotten Tomatoes logo emblazoned on the cover of the artwork.
Those who knew him, would know that he would not have been pleased.
There is a century of filmmaking dividing this interpretation of Mr. Holmes, with that of the William Gillette silent version of 1916, which was also recently released. The earlier expectantly creaks more than a bit, this one doesn't. Not for a moment.
As a Blu-ray, Lionsgate's release is spectacular, especially when uprezzed via 4k projection. It was shot with an Alexa (via Panavision), and those data files are perfectly rendered to the HD format. Blacks are gorgeous. Resolution superb. Any minor scratches or minus density in the original elements has been perfectly covered. Hence, there are no age-related artifacts.
A wonderful film, with magnificent performances from Sir Ian and Laura Linney.
After seeing this, I need to read Mr. Holmes' autobiography. We're all aware of the tales spun by Dr. Watson. Time for a dose of reality.
Mr. Holmes is 105 minutes of cinematic pleasure.
Image - 5*
Audio - 5
4k Up-rez - 5
Pass / Fail - Pass
Highly Recommended
RAH