Sherlock: The Complete Seasons 1-3 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Sherlock: The Complete Seasons 1-3 Blu-ray Movie Review

Sherlock: The Complete Seasons 1-3 is more a traditional repackage, with an exclusive bonus disc, than anything more essential. Fans who don't already own the previously released Blu-ray seasons will be in for a treat, while those who already own the series on BD will have to decide if the extra special features and collectibles are worth the full cost of admission. As a gift, it's a terrific set. As a replacement, it's overpriced and lacks any significant upgrades. As a series, Sherlock remains one of BBC's best and one of TV's must-sees. For further impressions of the show, see our complete reviews of the first three seasons:

Sherlock: Season One
Sherlock: Season Two
Sherlock: Season Three

Sherlock: The Complete Seasons 1-3 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Sherlock's three seasons have already been reviewed. Detailed coverage and screenshots can be accessed below:

Sherlock: Season One
Sherlock: Season Two
Sherlock: Season Three

Sherlock: The Complete Seasons 1-3 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Sherlock's three seasons have already been reviewed. Detailed coverage can be accessed below:

Sherlock: Season One
Sherlock: Season Two
Sherlock: Season Three

Sherlock: The Complete Seasons 1-3 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Sherlock: The Complete Seasons 1-3 includes two mini-busts, two art cards and several new special features; the first of which are specific to Season 3, the rest of which are presented on a set-exclusive bonus disc. All previously released supplemental content is included. The new extras break down as follows:


Season Three: Newly Released Special Features (Disc 6)

• Audio Commentary: Co-creator Stephen Moffat, co-creator Mark Gatiss, producer Sue Vertue and actress Una Stubbs (Mrs. Hobbes) deliver a chatty but extensive commentary on Season Three's third episode, "His Last Vow." The four have no problem keeping your attention, though Stubbs seems to be along for the ride more than anything else. Had Benedict Cumberbatch and/or Martin Freeman been present, this would be a much more enticing extra. As is, though, it's a strong commentary that doesn't bolster the value of the Sherlock giftset as much as other features might.

• Interviews (HD, 34 minutes): There are four interview segments from 2010, recorded prior to and shortly after the series' UK premiere: Benedict Cumberbatch (BBC's "Breakfast," 7/22/10), Benedict Cumberbatch & Martin Freeman (BBC's "Andrew Marr Show," 7/25/10), Steven Moffat & Mark Ravenhill (BBC's "Newsnight," 7/23/10), and Steven Moffat & Sue Vertue ("Breakfast," 8/10/10), accessed individually or via a Play All option. Though largely promotional in nature, the interviews offer a good deal of insight into the production, along with several amusing anecdotes, glimpses into the creative process, dissections of the performances, and more.
• Unlocking Sherlock: Season Three (HD, 58 minutes): This third season broadcast documentary tracks the development of the series, from inspiration to adaptation to award-winning endgame. Co-creator Mark Gatiss reads from Arthur Conan Doyle's original stories and, along with Moffat, Cumberbatch, Freeman and others, discusses the origins, writing, style, themes, characters, twists, turns and mysteries of Season Three. Gatiss and Moffat also provide an overview of Sherlock Holmes and John Watson's various screen incarnations, the fan theories surrounding Sherlock's "death" at the end of Season Two, and the gambles, villains and cases Holmes and Watson are forced to face in the series' latest episodes.
• Sherlock Uncovered: Season Three (HD, 78 minutes): Three excellent featurettes -- one for each third season episode -- go behind the scenes of Sherlock, serving up a selection of table reads, rehearsals, on-set footage, interviews with key members of the cast and crew, and numerous teases and investigations into everything that makes Season Three tick. There's a very small bit of overlap with "Unlocking Sherlock," but nothing that grows repetitive or irritating. Instead, this is a fresh, rapidfire look at the development and execution of "The Empty Hearse," "The Sign of Three" and "His Last Vow" sure to engage and entertain fans of the series, new and old.
• Outtakes (HD, 5 minutes): A small gag reel comprised of outtakes from Seasons Two and Three.
• Deleted Scene (HD, 2 minutes): A single deleted scene from Season Three.

Sherlock: The Complete Seasons 1-3 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Another gift set, another item for your Amazon Wish List. Fans who already own the previously released Sherlock Blu-rays won't gain much here, particularly for the price, but those who are new to the series or those who haven't purchased any of the show's BDs will be quite pleased with the results.