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Eric Xian
December 12th, 2014
Writing 37
Dr. Haas
Two Is Better Than One
Have you ever seen a detective or crime fiction with action and fighting scenes? That is
because throughout the 21st century, the detective and action genre are often mashed up in order
to compliment each. Also, including action scenes in a detective and/or crime fiction attracts
more audiences and generates a more attractive film to watch. Genres and genre conventions are
shaped by the cultural and historical time period in which they are created. The two genres we
will be discussing in this mash-up is the detective and action genre. A mash-up is when two
genres are combined to suit the audience. The detective genre "is transitory without long-range
goals or purposes; an intellectual undertaking; recreational, intended primarily to relax; and a
delimited literary form" (Doyle 3). In other words, it is a genre of writing where the detective
solves crimes and reveals an answer at the end of the story. The action genre features a
character/hero that faces life-threatening situations, such as violent chases and fight scenes, and
ends up eliminating the villain in the conclusion. (Russel 1). Instead of sticking to only detective
fiction like Conan Doyle's classic texts, modern-day texts, such as Sherlock Holmes (2009),
mashes up both the detective and action genre to generate more interesting content that suits the
audience of the 21st century.
The introduction of Sherlock Holmes (2009), from 1:10 - 6:35, exemplifies different
examples of where the detective and action genre is combined to create something more intense

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and interesting. The scene goes from introducing Holmes and Watson to capturing Lord
Blackwood. In between those two events, the conventions of both genre appear, and the different
cinematic features are shown to better display the mash up of the detective and action genre.
First, let's start out with the conventions of the genres. The detective must be memorable in the
detective genre and there is always a fight scene in the action genre. Sherlock Holmes, the
detective and protagonist, stands out among all the characters in the film. Unlike the police and
Dr. Watson, Holmes solves his cases by carefully analyzing each minute detail there is on the
crime scene. Detective Holmes is also memorable for thoroughly thinking everything through
logically, for he does not believe in superstitious and supernatural factors. The action genre is
mashed into that detective genre by making Holmes fight a group of villains, that is on Lord
Blackwood's side. Doing so also highlights Holmes's actions, making him more of a memorable
character. Another convention of the detective genre is that the criminal must be a worthy
opponent. Sherlock Holmes will not take on any cases that are too simple or boring for him.
However, Lord Blackwood's case is definitely worth Sherlock Holmes's time, because it involves
something more than murder, black magic. After Blackwood was surrounded, the head chief said
to Holmes "you were supposed to wait for my orders" (Sherlock Holmes 2009). Sherlock Holmes
was so impatient to catch Lord Blackwood, he decided to stop Lord Blackwood with only Dr.
Watson. That all happened, because Sherlock Holmes views Blackwood as a significant
opponent. The mash-up of the action genre makes the scene more interesting by having Holmes
fight his way through in order to reach Lord Blackwood. The last mash-up of the detective and

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action genre is from 1:10-6:35 (Sherlock Holmes 2009) when Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson
walks into Blackwood's ritual. Their entrance immediately startled Blackwood's men. The scene
involved guns, batons, and intensive fighting, which is a part of the action genre. This mash-up
has definitely interested the audience, because of the amount of fighting there is. As a result,
"they will be entertained, and so was I. The great detective, who has survived so much, can
certainly shrug off a few special effects" (Ebert 1). The audience will be entertained, because of
how both genres are mashed up.
Cinematic features is also a factor to why modern-day audiences are interested in the
mash-up of the detective genre and the action genre. Eyeline match is when the camera angle
cuts to what the character is viewing. Eyeline match helps satisfies the audience's urge to know
what the character is viewing. For example, in Sherlock Holmes (2009) 2:59-3:01, the camera
follows Holmes's face for about one to two seconds and then immediately cuts to the what
Holmes is seeing, which is Blackwood's ritual. Exposure, the amount of light that hits the lens
and onto the film, also relates to eyeline match. The lighting of Lord Blackwood's became
brighter as he reveals his face to Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes. This cinematic effect, like
eyeline match, also creates intensity for the audience. Extreme close-up is used whenever Dr.
Watson, Holmes, or Blackwood had a short conversation. Usually, an extreme close-up shot is
used to intensify the sensation of the environment. Whip pan, a camera technique that uses
extremely fast camera movements, is used when Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson fights off
Lord Blackwood's men. Whip pan is usually used during a fight scene, an element of the action

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genre, in order to intensify the scene and captivate the audience's attention. Camera angles are
extremely important, but sound also plays a big part in the cinematic elements. Diegetic sound
are crated when someone is are punched or when shots are fired; that occurs during the fight
scene. This captures the audience's attention even more and intensifies the scene. The cinematic
elements that are featured during the introduction of Sherlock Holmes (2009) help captivate the
audience's interest and attention, but most importantly, makes the film enjoyable for them.
The ending scene of Sherlock Holmes (2009), from 1:46:00 - 1:54:00, also depicts a
mash-up of the detective and action genre. Fighting and chasing, which are conventions of the
action genre, between the Big Man and the detectives is already present when the scene starts. A
chasing scene follows with Irene, Sherlock Holmes, and Lord Blackwood. This is also caused by
Irene snatching the cyanide jar and bringing it to the top. The chasing scene builds up intensity
for the audience, which attracts them to the film. The chase scene symbolizes a cat and mouse
chase, which is a convention of the action genre. All this chaos leads to the Tower Bridge, where
Sherlock Holmes confronts Lord Blackwood. After another fight scene between Sherlock
Holmes and Blackwood, Holmes finally pins his opponent down. Soon after, Sherlock Holmes
dissects every single, minute detail there is to Blackwood's evil plans to take over the world,
which is a convention of the detective genre. The explanation after the fight scene is obvious that
there is a mash-up of the detective and the action genre. When Holmes was dissecting every
detail to Blackwood, the solution seems logical and obvious. Holmes uncovered the truth and
reveals Lord Blackwood's sly magic tricks. Apparently, none of Blackwood's acts were
supernatural, but just tricks up his sleeves, which seemed like allusions to the other citizens. The

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whole mash-up seems extremely appealing to the audience so far. After Holmes reveals
Blackwood's nasty tricks and hangs him properly, he makes his way down the Tower Bridge to
save Irene. The scene is " filled with sensational sights, over-the-top characters and a desperate
struggle atop Tower Bridge, which is still under construction. It's likely to be enjoyed by today's
action fans" (Ebert 1). As a result, the mash-up of both genres appears appealing and attractive to
modern-day audiences.
Cinematic elements also had its own contributions during this scene into making the
mash-up a success. During the chase scene with Irene, Blackwood, and Sherlock Holmes, pan
and the following shot is used to make the scene look appealing to the audience. In a following
shot, the camera follows where and what the character does. The pan used in the chase scene was
just to confuse the audience, making them guess where the characters are. Once Irene reaches the
Tower Bridge, the camera zooms out and allows the audience see where the climax's setting will
be. When Irene approaches the dead end of the Tower Bridge, the camera angle immediately
switches to point-of-view to show the audience how frightening the surrounding is actually is.
That technique is to intensify the situation and allows the audience to think what might happen
next. When the fighting occurs, whip pan is used to escalate the intensity and somewhat allows
the audience to be in the fight. Finally, when Holmes is talking to a strained Blackwood,
flashbacks are used when detective Holmes explains how the crime was solved. The cinematic
elements, used during 1:46:00 - 1:54:00, enhances the mash-up of the detective and action genre,
leading to a higher approval rate from the audience.

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The popular film of Sherlock Holmes (2009), earning over $209 million, not only uses the
detective convections, but also conventions from the action genre to make the film more intense
and interesting for the audience. The film mashes up the detective and action genre by including
scenes that complement each other, which is a fairly new practice. The listed examples depict
how the mash up in the film works by having intense, fighting scenes and scenes that are from
detective fiction. However, the mash-up of both the detective and action genre is a success,
because modern-day audiences enjoy watching it. This shows that the film does not only stick to
static genres, but mashes up different genres to make it appealing for the audience.

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Works Cited:
* 27, June. "FILM COMMENT : Endangered Species : The American Action-fantasy Epic Is in
Danger of Becoming Terminally Musclebound and Knuckleheaded." Los Angeles Times. Los
Angeles Times, 27 June 1993. Web. 26 Nov. 2014.
* Russel, Candice. "A New Generation Of Macho Men." Sun Sentinel. N.p., 26 June 1988. Web.
26 Nov. 2014.
* Ebert, Roger."Sherlock Holmes Movie Review & Film Summary (2009) | Roger Ebert." All
Content. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2014.
* Ritchie, Guy. Sherlock Holmes. Warner Bros Pictures. Village Roadshow Pictures, 2009. Film.
"Box Office Mojo Search." Box Office Mojo Search. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2014.