Best star trek show starts off ok...

STDS9 is the best of all the Star Trek shows in my opinion. It,s more ambitious than STNG and more intelligent than Voyager. No wishy-washy counselors or sexy borg-babes in sight; just well-rounded three-dimensional characters living in a real world where actions have consequences. To rewatch the first season of such a show is like watching
a beautiful flower before it blooms. You see the potential, but it's not all there yet. Odo, Bashir, Dax, Sisko, they somehow all look and act a little more as charicatures than in later years.
Still, a pretty good first season.

"Gallifrey? Never heard of it."

"I think we just about got away with it" is script editor Anthony Read's verdict on THE INVASION OF TIME in this DVD's"Making of..." featurette. Many fans already know that this 1978 story was a last minute measure written in desperation by Read and producer Graham Williams under the pseudonym of David Agnew when a David Weir script proved unsuitable. On the whole I'm inclined to agree that this story just about holds together although there are problems. Considering the circumstances under which it was made (the problems were compounded by a BBC scene shifters strike meaning valuable days in the studio were lost) it's little short of astonishing that some parts of it are really very good indeed.

The plot starts very well with the Doctor behaving remarkably out of character, and the audience having no idea as to why. This has a lot of mileage in it and it sustains the narrative effectively for about 2 and a half episodes, especially with his flagrant disrespect for the rituals and pomp of Time Lord politics.

No question at all that episode 6 is a disappointment as it's mostly a rather dull chase around the TARDIS. No question that the Outsiders are a bunch of hearty cliches. Leela's decision at the end to pair up with Andred is a disappointing way to say goodbye to one of the best companions ever. It appears to happen for no very credible reason and it's to the credit of Louise Jameson that her performance retains so much integrity.

The shock appearance of the Sontarans at the end of episode 4 makes for a great little cliffhanger, but because they spend 2 episodes simply chasing people around corridors they lack the impact they had in their first 2 DR WHO appearances. However, Derek Deadman gets the brutal physicality of Commander Stor dead right and I'm probably one of the few people who actually likes his performance, cockney accent notwithstanding. If nothing else there is a certain entertainment value in his delivery of lines like:"This machine is a load of obsolete rubbish!"

Where INVASION OF TIME scores most highly is in sharp witty lines and the quality of its supporting cast. Milton Johns and John Arnatt are exceptional. Arnatt's coldly dignified Borusa and Johns' Uriah Heap-like Kelner are absolutely in keeping with the kind of Time Lords we met in this story's superb prequel: THE DEADLY ASSASSIN. There are some outstanding exchanges between Tom Baker and John Arnatt, and Milton Johns' toadying heightens the audience's interest in any scene in which he appears.

The regulars are also assets to the production. I've already talked about Jameson, but a mention has to go to John Leeson's K9, whose vocal performance makes the robot dog far more than just than a loveable cheap gimmick to amuse the children. The relationship between K9 and his 2 co-stars is utterly believable - and given a chilling twist in episode 1 when he threatens to use his weapon on Leela. No-one really believes that the Doctor has turned into a power-crazed dictator, but that hardly matters as Tom Baker plays each moment with the weight it deserves. His looks of anguish when he has to be mean to Leela are really affecting. What is slightly worrying is that this was the story when in the late 1970's DR WHO stopped being DR WHO and started to turn into THE TOM BAKER SHOW. There is a self-indulgence in the amount of extreme close-ups the leding man receives here, and his talking to camera is less a Shakespearean soliloquy, more a stand-up routine gone wrong. It's just as well he's so good in the role or this would be unforgiveable otherwise.

The extras on the 2 discs are of the usual good quality, although the cheerful commentary with Jameson, Leeson, Read and Mat Irvine feels like it flags in places - probably because 6 episodes is a long time to sustain the kind of anecdotes and reminiscing that's needed. The OUT OF TIME featurette is a brisk and effective little documentary and THE RISE AND FALL OF GALLIFREY is a short but thoughtful piece on the changing portrayal of the Time Lords during the original series. Though I'm not sure that I think THE ELUSIVE DAVID AGNEW works, as if you're in on the knowledge that Agnew is a BBC staff writers' pseudonym the joke falls rather flat, and I doubt that those who don't know will be gasping with amazement when they find out.

The replacement CGI effects add a layer of gloss which slightly takes away the cheap look of the story. The new improved Vardans are particularly effective, even if one of them now looks like he's overweight when sitting at a desk. It's these new enhanced effects coupled with the beautifully restored picture that really make INVASION OF TIME worth having, even if matters do go pear-shaped in the last episode.

Resurrection of an old foe!

Another great davison episode here. It marks the return of the daleks after the poor destiny of the daleks, which i quiet like but i felt underplayed the daleks. Resurrection brought back the deception quality, the darkness potrayed in the amazing genesis of the daleks! The large view that davros took away from the daleks is really proved wrong here! As the make the daleks n Davros their own characters which allowed some clever subplots to be played out!
I must say i wish davros from genesis would return tho! the others just havnt gotten him to the orignal portraial!
The main strengths of this were
The daleks back at full strenght
The dark plot
Davisons doctor is really peaking here at the height of his career!
And finaly a great departure for tegan which is also very sad as she becomes a far more likable character in her final season!

This was the beginning of the end for the daleks however as their following adventures became entirly about Davros! The Daleks should always take centre stage!

High quality entertainment

Although we don't see the Defiant until season three, the excitement level is given a boost with the three part introduction regarding the rise of chauvinism and xenophobia on Bajor. Winn's Machiavellian and ruthless power grabbing -- throughout -- makes for gripping entertainment.

WHAT'S GOOD

Episodes like Second Sight, Armageddon Game, Paradise, Shadowplay, Blood Oath take us back to TNG roots, giving us some great moments away from the station. The character development between O'Brien and Bashir in Armageddon Game is first class. The brutal repression of the anti technologist in Paradise elicits much anger, showing that the episode has seen top class direction. Episodes like Cardassians, Melora, Sanctuary, Rivals, Whispers, The Wire and The Jem'Hadar are within-the-station episodes, which focus on character development and intrigue rather than TNG style exploration and discovery. I love the friendship turmoil between Bashir and Garak in The Wire; The Jem'Hadar is a brilliant end of season episode which coincides with the last episode of The Nest Generation (All Good Things).

WHAT'S NOT GOOD

I didn't really like Invasive Procedures; I found it to be the least entertaining or gripping episode. I found John Glover's (Verad) wooden acting a let down. However, we did get more insight to Farrel's character.

Worth seeing. Really.

The Doctor Who TV movie, a British-American joint venture aimed at potentially launching a new TV series, is routinely slammed among Doctor Who fans as nasty and aborted chapter in Doctor Who history best locked away and forgotten.

But it's not that bad.

Paul McGann's Doctor is funny, quirky and intense - perfect to follow Sylvester McCoy's reign as the Time Lord. In fact, McCoy gets the first twenty minutes of the film to himself before the Frankenstein-themed regeneration sequence. The Seventh Doctor's final appearance is a strong performance and perhaps the best part of the movie.

Once McGann settles in, the plot gets murky and takes turns most Who purists wish it had not. The fact that McGann's Doctor is half human is an integral part of the plot and can't be swept under the carpet as easily as some fan would like. The effort even features an American-style car chase, of course. The Eighth Doctor's performance, however, is solid throughout.

The TARDIS stars in this story alongside The Doctor, Grace, Lee and The Master. Even when poor camera work in some of the TARDIS scenes makes the mostly adequate special effects look like spray-painted Styrofoam and flashing lights, the time machine looks grander than ever. Even the high-tech TARDIS of the new series pales beside this one. The old girl has class.

While Yee Jee Tso's performance as Lee is wooden and amateurish, he does not have enough dialog to do much serious damage to the production. Eric Roberts first does a nice impression of the previous Master's voice, but after a line about getting used to his new body, Roberts' own mannerisms turn a menacing foe into something that eventually becomes like a perturbed Liberace.

The plot wraps up with convoluted convenience, but the story ultimately does not leave a bad taste in the mouth. It's a good effort and worth seeing. Just don't watch too closely.

Episodes 2-4

First on this disc we have"Tooth And Claw", a brilliant episode with a frankly haunting transformation sequence, also quite funny. Second is"School Reunion", Sarah Jane Smith's back! Good acting from Anthony Head and a smashing storyline. And finally"The Girl In The Fireplace", a masterpiece, the Doctor finds a time portal and falls in love with the girl on the other end, bless! All in all, a good selection of Doctor Who.

An excellent finsh

The three episodes on this dvd are called Boom Town, Bad Wolf and The Parting Of The Ways. Two of the episodes are great and one of them is alright.

Boom Town is the worst episode on this dvd and probably one of the worst episodes in the series. It isn't too bad but it has nothing great or really memorable in it. The episode is about the doctor capturing the last living member of the Slitheen family and he intends to send her back to Raxacoracovalapatorious where she will be executed, but does she have a plan.... This episode does have some good action moments but it still isn't great.

Bad Wolf is a great episode. It is about the Doctor, Rose and Jack ending up on television shows on sattelite five in the year 200'100. The Doctor is on Big Brother and the evicted housemates get killed. Rose is on Weakest Link and the contestants get killed if they are voted off. Jack is on What Not To Wear and the robots try to kill him. When Rose loses in Weakest Link she gets captured by the mysterious force behind the game station( the Daleks ).

The Parting Of The Ways is the final episode in the series and it is brilliant. When the Doctor rescues Rose he has to defeat hundreds of thousands of Daleks and their emperor. At the end of the episode the Doctor regenerates and I was very excited for the next episode that Christmas.

I reccomend this dvd because of the final two episodes, although Boom Town is still worth watching if your a fan of the show.

CLASSIC & ENTERTAINING! (unlike mad_mushroom’s review)!

If, unlike me you were fortunate enough not to have read mad_mushroom’s ‘ attention seeking ’ and some what off the topic style review, then I hope you have made your mind up about the excellent series of Doctor who. Unfortunately for mad_mushroom, he seems to confuse politics and youth with a Sci Fi TV series – not what it ’ s about folks. BULLY BLAIR? A FEW YEARS YOU’LL BE ABLE TO VOTE? Maybe it’s me, but just because buyers under the age of 18 cannot vote, doesn’t mean they cannot have opinions and enjoy a decent show now does it? But then.. What would you expect from an obvious Tory (Faversham Kent - let’s say no more), a reviewer who possibly took offence to Russell T Davis’s parody in the Christmas invasion about the Falklands war. But hey.... lets not talk about politics eh? IT’S A GOOD SHOW! SO BUY IT PEOPLE!

doctor who 2005

Oh yes,I remember hiding behind the couch when I was a young lad,and towards the end it was almost a shame to see the doctor go the way he did,but wasnt the wait worth it,now with children of my own it isnt only a pleasure to see the doctor return but to return with such grandure and on such a big scale.....Russel T Davis is a complete genius.Chris Eccleson couldnt have played the doctor better,and as for Rose..every girls dream would be to be like her wouldnt it.I loved every episode of the new series and found it quite hard to see Chris Eccleson say his goodbyes but with almost 5 months to wait until David Tennant brings us a new doctor I can imagine the wait will be well worth it...next must come the big screen.Think of it this way..he cant fly,turn invisible,drive a batmobile,walk through walls or turn into a raging green hulk,hes just the doctor..long may he continue to save the universe....

Volume 1

On this disc we have"The Christmas Invasion" the Christmas special from 2005, a good and exciting episode once it gets going. In"New Earth" the special effects are some of the best on TV, shame it takes so long to get going, but still a very good episode. Bit disappointed at the lack of episodes on this disc-Two!The cheek of it! I woudn't spend any more than five pounds on this, it's best to get the boxset!

Almost perfect

Three of the most clever, emotional and brilliant episodes came from this dvd but it's a shame about''The Long Game''.''The Long Game'' isn't a bad episode it just isn't at all good.''Fathers Day'' is one of my favourite episodes. ''The Empty Child'' and ''The Doctor Dances'' are probably the most thrilling and scary episodes in the series.The plot of these two episodes is ingenious.Although I don't think ''The Long Game'' is great, this is still probably my favourite dvd in the series and I really reccomend it.

The Return Of The Cybermen!

This disc contains two of the best episodes of Doctor Who ever!"Rise Of The Cybermen"+"The Age Of Steel" is a great story with new Cybermen and a cracking theme tune. As for"The Idiot's Lantern", still good, but a bit crappy at the same time.

Absolutely great show, but NO SUBTITLES?!!!!

Love the show, too bad it had to end. But it was a struggle to catch every line in it. I'm not English; therefore I need a little help supported by subtitles, especially with alien voices and sci-fi terms.
It's a shame that with such a great sci-fi show (one of the best indeed) even English subtitles for the hearing impaired aren't available. 5 stars for the show, 1 star for the DVD producers.

The most underated comedy show ever

Red Dwarf is THE best comedy the BBC has ever produced and what did they do with it? they stuck it on BBC2.It makes my blood boil when they never mention it when they have all these Z list celeb has beens doing those lame top 100 shows where they bleat on about the same old shows,if you are a fan then I don't need to explain but if you have never seen it I will quote Kryten"If you don't gosub a program loop you will never get a subroutine" in other words"Nothing ventured nothing gained" give it a try.

I wish they would have carried it on a saved Craig Charles the indignity of appearing in Coronation Street,Lister in Corrie ! it just isn't right.

A great celebratory romp with brilliant extras.

Okay, so it's really only 3 Doctors as the original William Hartnell was dead, played here by someone who only bears a passing resemlance to him and Tom Baker declined to take part so they had to represent him with archive footage, but the story is still hugely enjoyable, fitting in umpteen old companions and monsters and a story that is still intriguing and more or less coherant. Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee are a delight to watch, each trying to upstage the other and Peter Davison more than proves himself against these old timers. In many respects, you could call this the 'ultimate' Dr Who story and is probably a good one to watch if you're new to the classic series. The extras are superb with the best 'easter egg' to have been hidden on a Dr Who DVD. An essential purchase for any Dr Who fan.

"Bring Me the Head of Doctor Who!"

Story review only until I get a chance to see the extras.

Bit obvious to say but here we have an inadvertant template for the Unit stories of the '70's. In a Contemporary setting the Doctor is known to the Establishment and is enlisted to help them against the tank like War Machines being sent by super computer Wotan to destroy London. You could almost expect the Brigadier to pop up and reminisce about Omega!

Is Wotan possibly a German super computer as everyone keeps calling it"Votan"?

Hartnell & Jackie Lane had clearly got their working relationship down pat by now, and the story opens on a lovely moment as they share a smile about Policemen thinking the tardis is a Police Box. What a dreadful way Dodo is written out though, chucked out halfway through the story as though she'd lost the Big Brother eviction vote!

Polly and Ben make strong debuts, even though the cockney bit is laid on a little thick at times by Michael Craze. They don't have a ton of Chemistry with Great Great Uncle Bill, but in their 1st appearance this is not a problem.

The War Machines were a great design then, Budget sized tanks crossbred with the Total Survival Suit from"Kinda" which, despite being a tiny bit dated look pretty good now.

Major slip up award for Wotan demanding that"Dr Who" be brought to him!

It moves qite well over its 4 parts and although slower than the Police Box Show is now, could make a nice introduction to the '60's Who stories for current series fans.

Apart from sticking my neck out to say there will obvously be a commentary by someone, no details are yet available on extras. When a reliable source publishes something, I'll be back with a mini-update.

Good reconstruction - worth having but not at any price

This is an interesting story for many reasons, though it has had most attention focussed on it due to the creation of two animated episodes to cover the gaps from missing master tapes. The creations in question have been matched to recordings made off air by fans onto audio tape. Unfortunately the missing episodes are 1 & 4 of 8, so the whole story kicks of with animation and I found that it took some getting used to - black and white animation with little richness and fairly static faces. Switching to 'real life' the look and feel is overall somewhat drab with a lot of back street London locations and by the time the second animation is reached it is seamless and does not detract at all.

The story overall is from a time of change, the show and Troughton running out of steam and shortly to be reset (and moved to colour) with the end of Troughton and the moving in of Pertwee. In search of ratings it sticks to London / England and echoes slightly Dalek Invasion. A previous story introducing Colonel (now Brigadier) Leftbridge Stewart set in the underground is now reset as Cybermen in the sewers. UNIT is created for this story and has none of the slightly comic feel it would get under Pertwee - here we have shootings, dark cars, chases, helicopters and a lot of action.

At eight episodes the story is too long, the cybermen too vulnerable to grenades and the baddies slightly too hammy (though I like the cowardly sidekick).

Brilliant/Crappy

The first to episodes on this disc,"The Impossible Planet"+"The Satan Pit", are absolutely brilliant(buy this disc for that excellent two parter)but"Love And Monsters".Just so boring. It's just basically some man sitting infront of a Video Camera for 45 wasted minutes. But still, the first to a great. Coudn't get better!

Superb entertainment!

I simply can't understand all the negative comments aimed at this film. I saw it and enjoyed it at the cinema and I only enjoyed it more on Blu-ray.

AvP: R is miles better than the first AvP which was a reasonably enjoyable bit of B-movie cheese but a whole world apart from the original movies. I found AvP: R to be more than that, the writer and directors clearly have a passion and enthusiasm for the Alien and Predator movies and all in all this film has the feeling and the magic of the first Predator and there are numerous neat little homages sprinkled throughout.

The Predator-Alien hybrid works really well and even more so, the fact that the Predator is not on our side, i.e. does not cosy up with one of the main characters as we had at the climax of the first film.

There is the odd (brief) moment of cheese and you do have to disengage your brain a little but it slips by as the movie as a whole is just a rolicking good piece of entertainment and as good as an Alien vs Predator movie could hope to be.

So far as the Blu-ray disc goes the transfer is simply breathtaking and all of the extras from the regular 2 disc DVD have been ported over. Although the movie is the theatrical version, all of the deleted scenes are here so who needs the extended version?

If your a fan and haven't seen this, what are you waiting for?!

Best ever Dalek story!

Destiny of the Daleks is probably the finest Dalek story of the classic series with the best Doctor, Tom Baker at his peak. The story is clever, intriguing and action-packed with better than average special effects and and top performances all round. Great extras too. An essential piece of clasic Dr Who, highly recommended.