Doctor Who – The Complete Series 5 (Blu-Ray)

December 2, 2010

Director:
Starring: Matt Smith, Karen Gillan, Arthur Darvill, Alex Kingston, Caitlin Blackwood, Nina Wadia, Annette Crosbie, Sophie Okonedo, Terrence Hardiman, Ian McNeice, Bill Paterson, Iain Glen, Helen McCrory, Alex Price, Toby Jones, Meera Syal, Robert Pugh, Neve McIntosh, Stephen Moore, Tony Curran, Bill Nighy, James Corden, Daisy Haggard, Susan Vidler, Karen Westwood, Halcro Johnston,

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DVD Review

Darren Jamieson +

Taking over the much coveted role of ‘The Doctor’ in Doctor Who is always going to be difficult for any actor, no matter how confident or experienced they may be. For Matt Smith however, it was doubly, triply difficult because he a) had to take over the reins from David Tennant, a powerhouse of an actor who had made the role his own for several years and b) he was the youngest ever actor to become the Doctor.

No pressure then.

Despite the constant comparisons from fans and the media to the aforementioned Scottish actor who, out of respect for Matt Smith, we won’t name any further, Smith soon established himself in the role of the Doctor with maturity beyond his years (he supposed to be over 900 years old anyway).

As well as the not to be mentioned Scot leaving, the companions of yesteryear were no more either as this new Doctor also found himself with a new companion, a very attractive, long legged, flame haired Scot (different Scot) played by Karen Gillan. In the first episode, The Eleventh Hour, the Doctor arrives in Amy Pond’s garden and promises to take the young child on a wondrous adventure; he just needs to pop off for a few minutes. Despite waiting for him all night with her suitcase packed, when the Doctor finally returns Amy Pond has grown up by a decade and is somewhat put out that her childhood imaginary friend has returned, as promised, several years later.

This is somewhat of a clunky episode in terms of how it evolves, and how it establishes the Doctor’s new character as someone not to be trifled with – while displaying a montage of former Doctor incarnations. However, Smith does his best here and tries not to get lost in all of the action.

As the series progresses however he more than grows into the role, and even develops his own catchphrases and comedy props. For example, bow ties are most definitely cool as a result of the Doctor.

Stand out episodes of the season include the Weeping Angels two parter (which doesn’t quite live up to the quality of the first time we saw the Angels, but a moment in the second part has to be re-watched when you get to the end of the series – you’ll see what I mean) and the episode Vincent and the Doctor, where the Doctor and Amy meet a troubled, and penniless, Vincent Van Gogh.

As with all of the modern series of Doctor Who there is a theme running through the episodes which offers clues to the season’s climax, and this one is certainly a fitting climax as the future, present and past of the entire universe is at stake – and it could all be the Doctor’s fault. We’re treated to a physical wet dream for many Doctor Who fans as the Doctor’s fiercest enemies ally themselves together to defeat him once and for all, but in doing so aren’t they risking the universe themselves?

This is a great season, and Matt Smith has certainly defied his doubters (myself included) that he can replace David (whoops, nearly mentioned him there)… the previous actor to hold the role of Doctor Who.

Fez’s are also cool.

Darren Jamieson

Darren has enjoyed an interest in film for many years, studying the subject at Newport Film School where he worked on the film ‘Cop on the Edge IX: Prelude to Justice‘ in a directing and acting capacity. The official site can be enjoyed here. Darren setup WhatDVD.Net in 2003 to further his love of films and to write passionately about the movies he enjoys, and about those that he doesn’t.

Although his day-to-day activities mean that he now has less time to review movies than he would ideally prefer, he still tries to review new releases, and DVDs from his extensive collection, whenever possible.
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