Doctor Who – Day of the Doctor REVIEW

*SPOILERS FILLED*

I viewed this film, or extra-long episode if you’re going to be pedantic, or EVENT if you’re like me, a Whovian (always wished doctor who fans were called Gallifrieans, but hey-ho) at the cinema named the GFT, which housed many emotional Who-lovers that night.

The basic plot is that the Zygons (a Tom Baker era monster – the first of many references) have an evil plan to take over the world by coming out of Gallifraian 3D paintings which have been planted hundreds of years before in the time of Elizabeth 1st. Three of the Doctors are subsequently transported to this point then get captured. Then it becomes even more complicated the multiple Doctors decide what should happen to Gallifray – should it be destroyed as it once was, or should it be frozen by the T.A.R.D.I.Ss mind-bending power of sub-zero freezing because of strange sci-fi time-stream stuff? The latter is chosen and fans fangasm over lots of Doctors coming back through use of the magical thing known as stock-footage…

After that, it many come as a surprise to hear that I loved the story, as it so fittingly managed to fulfil all of the fans wants. Although it was completely convoluted, and at points made no sense what so ever, which is my main complaint about Steven Moffats (Head writer of Doctor Who) writing – it is always too complicated. The writing was fantastic though – it constantly made me laugh, the characters were brilliant, and, importantly, it made fun of it’s self. John Hurts Doctor was defiantly speaking for old fans when he said to Tennant and Smith that there is no reason for them to be waving their sonic screwdrivers about – they’re not weapons! Priceless. And asking them whether he would kiss his companions a lot in the future was the best type of fan-service.

The acting was all around great. Matt Smith was good, although I’m not a big fan of his incarnation. Seeing David Tennant back was truly amazing, since he is my favourite of the new Doctors. The legendary John Hurt was, as usual, at the top of his game. It was awesome to finally see him as the Doctor of the time war, a period which I have been curious about since I started watching it in 2006. The time war was therefore very interesting to see, even if we didn’t get to see an awful lot, which didn’t matter, as we were being shown so many other amazing things through out. Jenna Coleman was OK, I’ve never been a fan of her, but I guess her performance was passable. I just dislike the fact that all of the “New Who” companions seem to have the same basic template – all feisty, all from London, etc. But that is more a complaint of the show in recent year than of the film. Watching Billie Piper was awesome, since I am a fan of her companion, and it was cool to see her not really playing Rose Tyler. Also, the Brigadiers daughter was awesome as the new head of U.N.I.T. again.

One of the best things about this supremely entertaining celebration was all of the references.  For example, the opening theme and title screen were the versions from William Hartnell’s time (1st Doctor); The first thing on screen was the first thing shown in the very first episode – a sign which was in a dump; Clara worked was a teacher in the same school that the Doctor’s granddaughter Susan was taught in; Captain Jack’s time travel wrist equipment thingy was being held by the Zygons, as well as many others.

Oh, and there is something I forgot about…TOM BAKER! Yes, the 4th Doctor returned and there was not a dry eye in the house. It as poignant and beautifully subtle – I loved it.

The first sight of Capaldi’s doctor was fangasmic and the fact that the Doctor must now find Gallifray is intriguing to say the least.

An extremely rewarding experience.  10/10

Sorry for completely nerding out, but it was needed 🙂

An Adventure in Space and Time REVIEW

 

An Adventure in Space and Time tells the story of the inception of Doctor Who and the people behind it – Sydney Newman, Verity Lambert and Waris Hussain, as well as of course the Doctor himself, William Hartnell. I was expecting great thinks from this TV movie by writer Mark Gatiss, and I was not disappointed. 

Firstly, the true story was written and directed incredibly well, acting as almost a superior to the majority of ‘New Who’ episodes because of it’s obvious love of classic Who, which most of the latest incarnations have not had. Although, in fairness it is not fair to compare the two as they are very different – this is a homage. It cleverly imitated classic scenes, using black and white filming, and had an abundance of witty one liners and in-jokes that made me smile often. Furthermore, Gatiss’s script is better than any actual Who episode that he has written and again shows his talents outside of programmes like BBC’s Sherlock and The League of Gentlemen

The acting is wonderful, with the stand out performances being David Bradley as Hartnell, Brian Cox’s Newman and Jessica Raine as Lambert. Although, for the first 20 minutes of the film, I was constantly irritated by Lamberts portrayal as an angry feminist, but she became absolutely great as she calmed down and let her talent do the taking instead of her early snarky lines which made her seem like a stereotypical ‘hard working woman who don’t need no man’. Bradley absolutely nailed Hartnell’s mannerisms and tropes, managing to pull off a heart-warming performance which really made the film as good as it was. A few particularly great scenes come to mind, especially when he has a breakdown on set, realising that all of the former cast and crew are gone, and a sweet scene when he plays Doctor Who with a class of children.

It may come across as too saccharine for some, but fans of the show will find this to be one of the best things that the BBC has produced in a long time.

9/10