Review for Sherlock: Complete Series 3

Sherlock is quite possibly the greatest Drama that BBC (or indeed Britain) has created in a long time, if not ever. I have never watched a show before that has just gripped the world and yes that means I think it is better than Doctor Who and Downton Abbey. Unlike those shows, this is a series that rewards you for your intelligence and makes you hungry for more. If America swept the world with Breaking Bad, Sherlock was our response back.

This three episode series sees Sherlock played by the wonderful Benedict Cumberbatch rise from the dead and get back to doing what he does best: Solving mysteries and making life hell for his trusty friend and sidekick Dr John Watson played by Martin Freeman.

The three episodes sees an amazing Guy Fawkes-style attempt on the Houses of Parliament, Watson's wedding, Holmes' best man speech and possibly one of the creepiest villains that he has ever faced. Together they must solve mysteries which even Holmes' may not be ready for the answers for and could destroy everything that both he and Watson hold dear.

What can I say that hasn't been said? Each episode is almost like a mini-movie and so I can understand why only three are created, but I would quite happily have sat through more and when Series Four comes along I shall do just that. The quality of the production is amazing, the little stylistic touches, the music and the editing is something that even some big budget Hollywood productions can't match.

The acting is such that despite my initial feeling that Cumberbatch didn't look like a Sherlock Holmes, he owns this role and makes it his own and that's exactly what he should do. Much like the initial comments when Daniel Craig was cast as Bond by Skyfall we almost forget that any other Bond existed. Cumberbatch is amazing and his interaction with Freeman and also with Mark Gatiss as brother Mycroft is wonderful.

Highlight of the series is the performance of Lars Mikkelsen as the creepy Charles Augustus Magnussen. I was blown away by how much he could make my skin crawl and the little things he did throughout are just wonderful. It is not the smug bravado of Moriarty or any of the other villains, but there is almost a Hannibal Lector quality to the performance and something that no one will ever forget.

Extras are a little lacklustre if I'm honest and I think the reason is that the one thing I wanted more than anything was a commentary. Now, I understand if all three couldn't be done (but really I don't know why) but to not have any commentaries, especially on the first or last episode is a shame.

The three featurettes are fine, but I expected something a bit meatier than what was on offer. Fans, Villains and Speculation is the cast and creators Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss about how great the scripts, the characters, the shows and the fans are. This is nice, but could have been longer. The other two discuss specific scenes and though I did enjoy some of it, again it should have been longer and again I think a commentary would have cleared up some of the questions that most fans would have.

Sherlock Holmes Series Three shows that there is no sign in the quality waning either in terms of story or any other factors for that matter. This is one of the few TV shows that would happily rewatch and the fact that I know who did it or how they did it, will not affect this. It is only elementary that you must experience this for yourself... The DVD's afoot!