SHERLOCK: THE REICHENBACH FALLS

UK, 2012, 90 minutes, Colour.
Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman, Lara Pulver, Mark Gattis, Rupert Graves, Andrew Scott, Una Stubbs.
Directed by Toby Haynes.

This is the third episode in the Sherlock series. It is based on a story of Sherlock Holmes’ confrontation with Moriarty and Holmes falling to his death. As with the other films in the series, this is a clever updating of Conan Doyle’s story, culminating with Holmes literally falling from a tall building. However, he is glimpsed at the end and watching the investigation. He will appear again, with explanation, at the beginning of the third series.
This film opens with a grieving John Watson talking to a therapist. It goes back to Holmes being celebrated for his recovery of an important painting, The Reichenbach Falls. His also presented with the media stalker hat that he detests. This film also emphasizes Jim Moriarty, played with sinister charm by Andrew Scott. He had appeared in previous films but this is his star performance.
Moriarty even steals the crown jewels, opens the bank of England, opens the gates of a prison. He has a computer code which enables him to control seemingly impossible and impregnable institutions. But he allows himself to be captured, tried, have Holmes in the witness box (being his arrogant and impossible self), is released and begins to discredit Holmes with the abduction of an ambassador’s daughter. Holmes also receives bad press from a journalist he insulted. She then produces Moriarty who impersonates an out of work actor.
The film culminates in a stance on the top of the building, the two geniuses confronting each other, trying to outwit each other, Moriarty assuming the upper hand and humiliating Holmes. Holmes inveigles Moriarty into shooting himself as he plunges to the street below.
The films in the second series improved on those in the first, the actors at home with their characters, and the updating of the Conan Doyle story is quite ingenious and contemporary?

1. The dramatic confrontation between Moriarty and Holmes? Conan Doyle’s attitude towards Holmes and killing him off in his story? Having to resurrect him? This film having to do the same for its sequel?
2. Contemporary London, Tower of London, Bank of England, prisons, to 221b Baker Street, the streets, the buildings, the art galleries? The musical score?
3. The status of Moriarty? Andrew Scott’s screen presence, appearance? Young, seen in the previous films? His reputation? His mind, madness, the world of crime, the great game and the deaths? Seeking new challenges? The pretense about his acting? His appearance in prison, the court, nonchalant, the chewing gum? His reaction to Sherlock’s testimony? Wanting to prove Holmes a fake?
4. The beginning of the film, Watson and his grief, therapy? His character, friendship, the blog, the fans, assisting Holmes, his experience of Moriarty?
5. Baker Street, Mrs. Hudson, her being attacked? Mycroft, the information about the international assassins living in Baker street? Warning Watson?
6. Holmes, being feted for the recovery of the painting? The deerstalker hat? The alleged fan, her asking for a story, being unmasked as a journalist, Sherlock’s rudeness to her, her article attacking him? The visit to her apartment? Her believing Moriarty to be an actor?
7. A dramatic presentation of Moriarty in the tower of London, his skill with the crown jewels? Sitting on the throne? Arrested? The opening of the bank? The opening of the prison? Exercising his power?
8. In prison, his arrogance, in the court, Holmes and Watson asking him not to be himself, Holmes correcting the judge, criticizing the questions, ultimately held in contempt, in the cell next to Moriarty? Moriarty free?
9. The kidnap of the ambassador’s daughter, Holmes and the demonstration on screen of his mind working, analyzing the shoe, pinpointing where the girl was held? The rescue?
10. The assassins ready to kill, the confrontations?
11. The buildup to the confrontation on the roof, Moriarty visiting Holmes, taunting him, explanations, puzzling Holmes? On the roof, the challenge, Moriarty saying he was bored, looking down on Holmes? The issue of the computer code and its power? Holmes and his replies, Moriarty and the gun in his mouth? Reputation? Holmes falling from the roof? Being identified as dead?
12. Anticipation for the next episode and Holmes resurrected?