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Doctor Who: Series 1 - Volume 2 [2005]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

It was always going to be a risk for the BBC to revamp Doctor Who--few television programmes inspire as much rabid and cultish adoration. With the 2005 series, however, the BBC have really outdone themselves. Their updated Doctor Who is a revelation: a cult science fiction series that has real mass appeal, and works for both children and their parents. Christopher Eccleston is an inspired and charismatic Doctor--he leaps around the sets with an unrestrained glee, like he’s a child running amok in a toy shop. His enthusiasm in downright infectious. His sidekick Rose (Billie Piper) adds a real human touch, particularly as she gradually and believably matures from in-over-her-head city kid to tough-minded interplanetary hero. Much of the credit must go to writer Russell Davies, who has a much-practiced knack for finding popular appeal without dumbing-down his ideas, and who appears to have let his imagination run riot. Even the special effects, whilst not of a big-budget cinematic quality, still manage to strike a balance between cheesiness and realism. Thrilling, funny and thoroughly entertaining, this Doctor Who is a hero for the new millennium. --Robert Burrow

Editorial
Synopsis

In 'Aliens Of London' The Doctor and Rose find themselves back on Earth. London is the location for a downed spacecraft and the alien survivor is wanted by The Doctor. In 'World War Three' the Earth faces war on an interplanetary scale... Or does it? 'Dalek' finds Rose and The Doctor underground in Utah, witnessing the torture and interrogation of an alien whose race wiped out The Time Lords.

Fantastic. Again.
Review date: 2008-07-29 Rating: 8 out of 10

Aliens of London and World War Three have attracted a fair bit of criticism from fans and the media: farting aliens, light and frothy script, etc. Personally I really like these episodes. They represent a broader comedic approach that the original series too often lacked. Acting Prime Minister Green's line about "massive weapons of destruction, capable of being launched in 45 seconds" had me in stitches - I'd never thought of Doctor Who as a vehicle for satire before. The picture-postcard shots of the London skyline, Whitehall and the Thames probably qualify these episodes as the last hurrah for Cool Britannia. Great stuff.

And in Dalek we are finally reintroduced to the Doctor's oldest enemy. This episode is a classic by any measure. It restates the Dalek philosophy - dislike of the unlike - perfectly and presents the much maligned pepperpot as an utterly believable threat once again. Brilliant.

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Reviews


Enjoyable newcomers and a brilliant return
Review date: 2007-08-10 Rating: 8 out of 10

An excellent three episodes from the first series.

'Aliens of London/World War Three' is terrific fun. I imagine the satire will go over the heads of younger viewers, but then 'Doctor Who' always did try to provide something for all ages. It's a good, fast moving storyline with plenty of humour. Penelope Wilton and Annette Badland stand out from a solid cast. For a fan of the classic series like me it was a thrill to see the return (albeit briefly) of UNIT. Although the CGI is not perfect, the crash-landing of the Slitheen spacecraft is spectacular and the Slitheen themselves, when presented in CGI form, are impressive. Therein lies one of the major flaws - it is difficult to believe that the athletic, fast moving hunters that they appear as CGI are the same as the shuffling, wobbly-headed creatures played by actors in rubber suits. Still, a hugely entertaining couple of episodes.

Now for 'Dalek'. It's difficult to express how wonderful this story is. The new-look Dalek is imposing and has been given a glorious new look whilst remaining true to the original basic design. Perhaps for the first time it really does look like a virtually indestructible war-machine. It is wonderful to see a Dalek as the cunning, manipulative creature that the race was always intended to be. Equally, the two battles it fights are spectacularly realised. Writer Rob Shearman clearly had great fun subverting the traditional jokes aimed at the Daleks; the much talked about 'hovering Dalek' scenes aren't as exciting to a classic series fan like me - despite all the jokes about stairs, Daleks have been seen hovering on at least three occasions before - but CGI allows this to be rendered much more convincingly. The Dalek mutant, when it is finally revealed, is likewise well realised. I've never found the Daleks particularly scary, but this came close to it. Elsewhere, Christopher Eccleston is on particularly good form, bringing out his loathing for the Daleks in superb fashion, and the gradual reversal of roles with the Dalek is both shocking and moving. One other thing - this was the first time a television series has ever made me cry; I doubted I ever would, and I certainly never thought it would be the plight of a Dalek which did so. Simply stunning.

Great episodes
Review date: 2007-06-09 Rating: 8 out of 10

I like these episodes a lot.I liked Aliens of London\World War Three and I know a lot of people say the Slitheen aren't scary and I agree but I also think there are some great action scenes and thrilling moments in the episode. The next episode''Dalek'' was brilliant, it was exciting all the way through the episode and the special effects were brilliant.I highly reccomend this dvd.

Best so far
Review date: 2006-08-10 Rating: 8 out of 10

I am 13 and before anyone jumps to the conclusion that I am the typical boy (!), I would rate the old Doctor Who better than the new. But out of the recent ones, this dvd is the best, showing an adventure with a new and old villian in each story. If your someone like me but who hasn't seen any of the classic series, I suggest you give it a go, as this dvd and all the rest got everything from it.

Best in the new series
Review date: 2006-02-15 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is a fantastic DVD, I seriously recommend you watch it. It features:
-Aliens of London, the first in a 2 part story, sees a giant spaceship crash into the river Thames, which is linked to emmisions from the North sea, fat government officials, and the mysterious dissappearence of the president. The Doctor is summoned to a meeting, and some deadly encounters. Rose meets Harriet Jones, hwo is in shock over witnessing a horrific(off screen,)death. Jackie(, Roses mum,)ends under attack in her flat, by a policeman, Rose ends cornered in the cabinet room, and the Doctor ends in shock, literally! The slowest moving episode on the DVD, but still brilliant.
-World war 3:Discovers the murderous,not to mention greedy, Slitheen family chasing the doctor and co. into the cabinet room, in which he ,Rose and Harriet Jones make some shocking discoveries about the Slitheens intentions.
Jackie is rescued by Mickie, and the both of them are under attack by a policemans inner self. The doctor needs to find a way to destroy the Slitheen, before the hwole world slips into neuclear madness. Also includes a spectacular end, where 10 Downing street is blown up, and some amazing special effects. Fast paced and one of the best in the new series.
-Dalek:shows The Doctor and Rose headed to Utah, 2016, in which the doctor discovers one of his old foes, a Dalek, who escapes it's underground prison and causes mayhem in an underground building. The Doctor gets very emotional, in a mad-figth-it way, and becomes violent and merciless towards the Dalek, wheras Rose becomes rather compassionate, as it is mutating 'cause it absorbed her DNA, and even stops the Doctor from killing it. The times when the dalek is "EXTERMINATING" the people is really well done, and is probably the best in the series.
You'll love this DVD, the special effents are brilliant and so are the stories. Buy it, you will not be dissapointed.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Camille Coduri
Billie Piper
Penelope Wilton
Christopher Eccleston

Creators:
Christopher Eccleston (Primary Contributor)
Billie Piper (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: 2 Entertain Video
Manufacturer: 2 Entertain Video
EAN: 5014503175627
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2005-06-13
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 135 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2005-11-05
Language: English (Original Language)

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