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 | Bringing back the colour to my life |
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| What: | The Mind of Evil (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 5 June 2013 |
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| Rating: |   9 |
And so after 40 years the Mind Of Evil is back in glorious colour.
Stuart Humphreys, who coloured episode 1 by hand, frame by frame, and the Restoration Team who "recovered" the colour for the rest of the episodes have done some miraculous work in making this DVD look so good.
Of course there will be some people who show their ignorance by complaining that the colour is not "perfect" (see Ambassadors of Death review ) not realising what little the RT had to work with. Ignore such reviews, this is the work of geniuses.
The story itself is a wonderfully exciting romp with the Doctor, the Master & UNIT on glorious form.
Don Houghton's story's (inferno & MOE) are among the darkest, most adult story's that classic Who ever made.
Essential buy.
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| Ice Warriors & Continuity |
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I wish everyone involved in Doctor Who would get together and come to some sort of arrangementabout how things are and should be I love the Ice Warriors and I believe they have every right to be angry for what the tracers caused, but it seems like the mighty intelligent Ice Warriors aren't getting tricked by Zara so easily and I know this is in later episodes but how come Zara has more power than Amy when there meant to be equal but they lose most of it later when the Guardians get theirs back
does anyone else agree that the Black Guardian sounds like a particular someone albeit being related, but could they not use him in audios @unless its too much for him too handle' but I didn't like the way the White Guardian acted in this like a spoilt brat, but it was a quite good story apart from that "Open Sim Sim"
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| What Happens to the order of Time |
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| What: | The Key 2 Time: The Chaos Pool (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Andrew Shaw, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 2 June 2013 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
with what happens at the end if theres any disturbance in time or anything how are they going to fix it and what are the guardians there for if it ends like that if was created to be needed to fix time they cant fix it anymore even though I get the point in nobody should have that much power, also the guardians let me down they seemed like a couple of pansies arguing"oh there my sweets you cant have one" " oh well Im telling mummy" sort of thing, I enjoyed these stories and the references as said to Romana but I thin Isskar was my favourite
| What: | Paradox Lost (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Nathan Harrison, Basingstoke, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 2 June 2013 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
Paradox Lost is a good read that keeps you drawn in. Characters are well used and the plot is "timey-wimey" which I love.
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| A thrilling and emotional adventure ! |
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| What: | Touched by an Angel (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | Nathan Harrison, Basingstoke, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 30 May 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Touched by an Angel is at the moment not only the best doctor who book I've read, but the best book as a whole. The characterisation is portrayed and written well and Morris adds a creative emotional depth to it. I recommend this book to anyone! The weeping angels are amazing in book form too!
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| Explosive Special Edition |
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| What: | Inferno (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 29 May 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
The magnificent climax to my favourite season gets the special edition.
In case you haven't seen this story ( why not ? ) it's on of Who's greatest hits. A 7 part thriller that is action packed and never flags. One of the most adult story's Who has ever done.
The picture restoration is a huge leap up from the original release. The RT have done an amazing job and the picture is really sharp. If your familiar with the original DVD or VHS release you will be amazed at what's been done.
Alongside the extras from the original DVD there are 2 new ones & very good they are.
Hadoke vs Havoc is an entertaining documentary in which comedian Toby Hadoke reunites the Havoc stunt team. Doctor Forever ! Looks at attempts to bring back Dr Who before 2005 & how it made its triumphant return.
An absolutely essential purchase. 10/10
| What: | Nemesis of the Daleks (Panini graphic novels) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 27 May 2013 |
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| Rating: | 6 |
A real mixed bag. The Absolm Dakk stuff is superb. Beautifully drawn and has a real epic quality to it.
Some of the other strips are some of the worst Who comic strips I have ever seen. Terrible story's & art work that looks nothing like the seventh Doctor. For collectors only.
| What: | The Natural History of Fear (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matt Saunders, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 25 May 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
I quickly got bored of this series. I liked the 8th Doctor as an exciting hero who beats monsters - not the Doctor who now lives in a totally mad and annoying universe. I tried to listen to these again, but got as far as this one - though good, it gets v annoying after a while, as did the two before. A bit, dare I say it....boring...try it once, but don't go back. Listen to a later 8th Doctor story - much, much better. :)
| What: | Gallifrey IV (Gallifrey audio dramas) |
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| By: | Clive T Wright, St Lawrence, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 25 May 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
I really enjoyed the first couple of series but series three seemed to run out of steam. Series IV has had the breath of life and punches above all the rest todate. Great original stories that grip and entertain. I found myself having to listen to them one straight after the other.
No pressure on season v then!!
| What: | The Justice of Jalxar (Fourth Doctor Adventures audios) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 25 May 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Mary Tamm, Tom Baker, Chris Benjamin, Trevor Baxter: what could be better I ask you? With John Dorney on fine form with a great script that actually is just as cool as The Talons of Weng Chiang. Jago and Litefoot are back again and with the indomitable Fourth Doctor and lovely Romana 1. This is a Doctor Who fans best wish isn't it? Well, it is for me at any rate. And also theirs the great robot with a terrific voice. So this Whovian cant help but smile broadly as say thanks to Bigfinish and John Dorney for doing all these four characters such brilliant justice! No pun intended. We are back in the Victorian times for a brief but brilliant ride that delivers in every single respect....great stuff BFP. What a great series this has been so far, and a great tribute to the brilliant actress that was Mary Tamm.
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| Real good fun, with a touch of nastiness |
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| What: | The Fourth Wall (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 25 May 2013 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
The Fourth Wall has a title that doesn't sound like it'll mount up to anything that's good. But boy, this story is a wickedly good one. What if TV characters somehow broke out into the real world? how would they act or react to anything at all? Would they stick to a script or become something dangerous and more? If we include the future kind of technology then what hell might be let loose? Never has this kind of theme been explored quite as brilliantly as it is here in the Fourth Wall. This maybe has an echo of the Mind Robber along the way, but somehow this is a very different story. There is some real touches of horror though that really unsettle and prove to be a great offset to the comedy that runs throughout this one. And this story plows on absolutely riskly, and doesn't feel like its nearly two hours whatsoever. The characters in some places are totally tongue in cheek, especially the Porcians, who come over as ludicrous but intensely likeable characters. Colin Baker again leads absolutely brilliantly all the way through, and I love Lisa Greenwood. The only reason this story is not a complete ten for me is the lamentable lack of Lisa in part three and four!!!!!!! But her comeback at the end is really great. Im kind of hoping we hear more from the Porcians very soon in the future. They are so flaming funny. This is a great slice of Doctor Who in creative mode. John Dorney has well and truly hit his stride now, and Im looking forward to what he does next. A great writer. With some sparkling dialogue all through this witty, yet at the same time unsettling tale. A perfect mix that makes Doctor Who the brilliant show it is til this day.
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| Slow start,but better finish |
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| What: | Spaceport Fear (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 25 May 2013 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
The story starts very very slowly indeed in my opinion, but after part one quickly picks up a much needed pace and contains some brilliant and freaky scenes. One of the very best is the excellent cliffhanger to part two, which has the Wailer scream and attack one of the sad members of the Economy. The sound design here is absolutely top notch, and made me jump just a little bit.
Another excellent thing is once again hearing the great Bonnie Langford again, who just slides back into a far more involved character than her screen stories ever gave her. And again she proves what a fantastic and strong companion she is. Here she even gets to be really really angry with Elder Bones, and its great hearing some bite to her character. And again, its a relief not to hear her screaming every single second at something like she did on screen. Its great to hear her sparring with Colin Baker again, they gel so well and bring these stories to life. Although maybe Id like to hear her once more with Sylvester McCoy, for how long has that been now? The Wailers are also a strong race, brilliant brought to life with a guttural voice that almost seems to vibrate.
And we get to hear Beth Chalmers once again, although once one hears her performance in the lost stories series as Raine, I kind of feel no other character she plays in these audios is quite as brilliant or likeable as Raine. But she is a reliably brilliant actress, and so its great having her on board again, and her demise is a bit grizzly to say the least.
After the rather slow start the story ends very well indeed, and is solid and a firm storyline. Its just nothing absolutely mind blowing, but Bonnie is very strong indeed here, and I cant wait to get the next in the series if its just for her alone!!! Although Ronald Pickup deserves a plaudit as Elder Bones, giving a great performance as the nasty moronic Elder Bones. So this story is not absolutely great, but it is good, especially in the build up to the climax.
| What: | Day of the Daleks (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Friday 24 May 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Of the three 3rd Doctor/Dalek story's this is by far the best story. A smart, interesting, thoughtful, action packed story with the Doctor, Jo, The Brig & UNIT in fine form as they battle Daleks, Ogron's & time traveling freedom fighters.
The DVD extras are top notch not least the special edition of the story complete with wonderful CGI effects & Daleks voiced over by Nick Briggs, a huge improvement on the terrible voices on the original.
A wonderful DVD that should be in every Who fans collection.
| What: | Colony in Space (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Friday 24 May 2013 |
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| Rating: | 6 |
I bow to no one in my love of the third doctor, he was the Doctor I grew up with, but boy this is a struggle to get through. At least 2 episodes two long, this story feels uninspiring and with out much punch and then the Master turns up. Yet again. Pertwee & Delgado are as excellent as always and this story has a strong cast including a pre-Coronation Street Helen Worth. Like the Time Monster not a bad story just far to long.
The DVD extras are a bit thin. A making of documentary and a very entertaining commentary moderated by the always excellent Toby Haydoke.
For Pertwee fans & collectors only
| What: | The Legacy Collection (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 23 May 2013 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
Shada. As a huge Douglas Adams fan the fact that Shada never made it to our TV screens is so frustrating and seeing the surviving material only adds to the frustration. Thankfully Douglas Adams's work of genius has been fulfilled with Gareth Roberts wonderful novelisation.
This DVD is the VHS tape spruced up with lots of lovely extras that includes a great documentary telling the sad tale of how Shada never got made.
More than 30 years in the TARDIS is a nostalgia feast of the highest order again filled our with lots of nice extras including a wonderful interview with Nicholas Courtney shortly before his death.
Essential purchase.
| What: | The Reign of Terror (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 23 May 2013 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
And so one the earliest Dr Who adventures is now, thanks to two animated episodes.
An interesting at times exciting story that sags somewhat, ironically during the animated episodes.
The animated episodes are for me a step up from the two Invasion animated episodes though the cutting from scene to scene is at times a bit distracting.
The extras are a bit thin apart from an interesting making of documentary.
Regardless of any flaws this story should be in the collection of all Who fans.
| What: | The Visitation (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 23 May 2013 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
The Special Edition is a step up from the original release. The work done on the location shooting is staggeringly good, almost up to Blu-ray standard. The audio has been buffed up & polished as well.
All the extras from the original release are on here as well as some new extras.
The making of takes the TARDIS crew back to Black Park where the story was filmed and is a fun feature. There is also an interesting documentary on audio Doctor Who. If you've not got this story in your collection buy the SE version.
| What: | I, Davros 4: Guilt (I, Davros audios) |
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| By: | Matt Saunders, Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 23 May 2013 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
A truly excellent series, well done Big Finish. I finally put my hand in my pocket and purchased this series. I am very pleased that I did. Genesis of the Daleks is one of the best ever TV stories and this series looks at what happened before that - and particularly what happened to Davros. I won't spoil anything, but the series does all of this very well + we get to hear the wonderful Peter Miles.
In addition to all of this: the incidental music is really similar to Genesis and makes it all the more exciting.
The series is highly recommended. Buy today.
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| Not as bad as I thought overall |
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| What: | Series 7: Part 2 (BBC new series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 20 May 2013 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
The second half of this 7th season of the new series is far better than the first half overall. Although I must amend my review of The Angels Take Manhattan, as my review was based on waffle and not what actually happened in the episode, as I've only actually recently seen it.
The second half of the season begins very well indeed. The Spoonheads are decidedly freaky and unsettling, and the story rips along so fast, but is for once followable and Jenna Louise Coleman, thankfully, is not the same as her performance of Oswin in Asylum of the Daleks, in the fact that she's likeable and not at all up herself. The realisation of the classic foe in the Great Intelligence is very well realised, with the snappy jet crash scene being totally surprising and tense also.
The Rings of Akhaten sees the first rotter of the second half of the season. There are some impressive effects peppered throughout this story, but the whole thing still manages to seem iike its going nowhere at all, and the story itself is just turgid and stilted, with most of the aliens, as with The End of the World, doing nothing at all except look weird or pretty. And the sonic screwdriver is becoming maybe just a little too predictable as a get out of gaol free card now. All that impresses with this episode is the little girl.
Cold War though is just a brilliant return to the past, and sees the return of the Ice Warriors. And boy, does the booming voice and massive frame of the new warrior look brilliant. And what's more, we even at last get to see what the Warrior looks like underneath! And the whole tale is claustrophobic and tense. And there's a great performance from stalwart David Warner. And Jenna Louise again really impresses as the gutsy Clara.
Hide is the worst episode of the seventh series, of that in my mind at least there is no doubt. This story isn't remotely scary, for a start the score is all wrong, not being scary in the slightest and therefore marring any scene that may be construed as scary. And the monster is frankly rubbish in this episode. I was expecting a lot from this episode, and was let down rather spectacularly. Even Matt Smith didn't save this one.
Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS is an oddball adventure, in that it has good and bad points. The good points are an excellent performance from Matt and Jenna, who give brilliant panicked performances as the Doctor and Clara. The scenes with the past Doctors voices being heard was a smile from me, any calling on the past is never bad for me. But the Van Balaan brothers are all totally boring and uninspiring, making for a trio of predictable morons. And Im not sure if the time zombies in the TARDIS work or not....funny we never ever saw them before.....
The Crimson Horror was another Mark Gatiss brilliant tale. There was perhaps just one jarring point, and that was the ridiculous Matt Smith Frankenstein moment. Sorry, but for once Matt here is really over the top in his performance. Thankfully the rest of the episode is filled with the brilliant acting of Diana Rigg, wow, how old is she and still going strong! And the creature I found slightly disgusting.
Nightmare in Silver was only saved by Jenna Louise Coleman. She gives a great performance again. but the nonsense with the far too emotional Cyberplanner just ruins what should and could have been a classy Cyberman tale. The new Cybermen don't even at least look good, and the voices are totally stupid, and the Cybermen have always been emotionally devoid, so why is the Cyber planner such a goon? Sorry, but this is a resounding failure almost as bad as Hide. Very disappointing.
But this classic Whovian smiled broadly at the presenting of all the old brilliant Doctors peppered throughout the Name of the Doctor. They may just be cleverly extracted from old series adventures, but I still grinned broadly at the sight of them. And the rest of the finale isn't bad either. Matt again gives a brilliant performance as the Doctor, and I just love Jenna more and more. Even Alex Kingston is shaping up to be not as irritating as she was a few series back. This is a bit of a heavy rollercoaster of an episode. And John Hurt as the future Doctor? What is going on here? Im glad to say at least this time I want to see how this story concludes in the November 50th anniversary special....
