Rating summary
| Movie |  | 3.5 |
| Video |  | 2.0 |
| Audio | | 3.5 |
| Extras |  | 2.5 |
| Overall | | 2.5 |
The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother Blu-ray Movie Review
Reviewed by Brian Orndorf September 10, 2016
After working with Mel Brooks on “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein,” the spirit of silliness rubbed off on actor Gene Wilder. Taking on directorial and screenwriting duties, Wilder offers his own slapstick creation with 1975’s “The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes’ Smarter Brother,” which takes on the legacy of the master detective, though with a decidedly more cartoon approach. Broad to a point of clowning, Wilder gives it his all, laboring to land all types of gags as he takes his Brooks-branded training and tries to make it his own.
Wilder keeps it simple for his helming debut, keeping up the Brooks aesthetic as he imagines a series of episodic encounters for his character, Sigerson, and his partner, Sacker (Marty Feldman). The men are on the case, trying to help music hall singer Jenny (Madeline Kahn) as she becomes entangled in a difficult situation, but “Smarter Brother” doesn’t utilize a snowballing narrative. Instead, it creates moments where the performers can show off their substantial skills with comedy and musical numbers, with Wilder going more for bigness instead of precision.
The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality
Age is apparent during the AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation. The viewing experience is tired and old, offering a processed look that weakens fine detail, smoothing over facial particulars and set design achievements. Textures aren't present, flattening cinematography. Colors are fatigued as well, with uninspired hues on costuming, while skintones are serviceable, but not entirely natural. Delineation isn't problematic, but blacks aren't deep. Whites also appear a bit bloomy. Source has its rough spots, with blasts of scratches and constant speckling.
The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality
The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix delivers an agreeable listening event, emphasizing dialogue exchanges and slapstick antics. Scoring also maintains presence, contributing adequate instrumentation and comfortable surges in mood. Hiss is detected, along with periodic pops. Sound effects retain their pronunciation, selling jokes well.
The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras
- Commentary features writer/director/star Gene Wilder.
- And a Theatrical Trailer (2:53, SD) is included.
The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation
"Smarter Brother" is a silly movie, inching away from lampooning Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's creation to become its own carnival of wacky performances (Dom DeLuise plays an Italian opera singer exactly how one imagines he would), delighting in the potential for madcap fun. Wilder is active here, staging chases and near-misses, but his heart remains with the absurd, creating opportunities for the ensemble to play around with mystery, sexuality, and action, giving this loving parody of Sherlock Holmes occasional inspiration. 90 minutes of this manic energy is bit too much, but when Wilder locks into a moment and strives to inspire screen insanity, laughs almost always follow.
