NICS: Narrative, Iconography, Characters, Settings

Narrative

Sherlock Holmes is an action adventure film following a case by the popular consultant detective Sherlock Holmes, a character from Arthur Conan Doyle's novels. The beginning of the film ( the equilibrium) shows Sherlock in a depressing rut, he becomes bored by regular life and we originally see him out of work, having just solved a case he feels too clever and misunderstood by the unimportant people that surround him. The disruption occurs when he finds that a practitioner of dark magic whom he had just thwarted, apparently has returned from the dead, a feat which Sherlock's logical scientific mind would be intrigued by. We now see them duel in a battle of wits, as Sherlock gathers data and hunts Lord Blackwood down until the climax- where Blackwood attempts to 'summon the dark forces' and murder all of parliament as tribute during an important ritual. However Sherlock quickly discovers the true nature of the threat, as with all Blackwood's stunts and disassembles the machine. Equilibrium befalls Sherlock when Lord Blackwood is finally hanged, a result of their last battle, and he can return to life as a consultant detective.

Iconography

Sherlock Holmes is dressed in a long cloak/ trench coat, with a mysterious top hat, connoting adventure showing him to be a mysterious and/ or dangerous man, we see a box of tools later on the use of which marks him out as a thief and or nosy character. His anonymous non outstanding clothing accentuate this effect/ image constructed thus far. Sherlock's companion, slightly more important than a sidekick, although not a buddy Dr Watson is a classic trait of action adventure and appears in such a way that he keeps tabs on Sherlock, behaviour typical of a side kick. The dynamic duo make quite a pair, we see them bustle about London with a heroic importance- a significant convention of action adventure is the hero's physical prowess, we see Sherlock easily mess with then defeat a man easily double his size, the twist being that he uses his highly analytical mind to accomplish it encouraging further adulation.

Characters

The Hero: Mr Sherlock Holmes is a natural eccentric leader, predominant presence due to his great wisdom.
Villain: Lord Blackwood has a physical deformity, his tooth, lurks in the shadows and plays out the part of a stereotypical evil mastermind, constantly lurking in the shadows.
Princess: Irene Adler (with a twist) plays the damsel in distress, has romances with the hero as per usual but has a twist, for she is originally alleged with the enemy.
False Hero/ Donor: Lestrade plays the part of a small time police officer assisting Sherlock on multiple occasions.
Helper: The sidekick, Dr Watson plays a major role in the film and follows Sherlock throughout the film being a valuable asset.

Setting

The backstreets of London all grimy and dirty make a great place for the exploits of various villains aswell as a chance for the valiant hero to shine through in the action packed city centre, which at the time was also centre of the world. All the places are quintessentially british and have that tint as we see the rough underworld, such as the bar full of fights and alcoholism connote a sense of danger rife throughout the whole place. This is all achieved also through the buildings which are patchworky, and are messed up enough to fit with this outlandish image. There is however a glimmer of hope, promise is shown through the noted structures under construction (Sherlock marvels as they drive past) aswell as several technological advances i.e. the discover of radio waves.