8.3 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS. Along with a series of companions, the Doctor faces a variety of foes while working to save civilizations, help people and right wrongs.
Starring: David Tennant, Matt Smith, Peter Capaldi, Jodie Whittaker, Christopher EcclestonAdventure | 100% |
Sci-Fi | 88% |
Fantasy | 82% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080i
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: DTS-HD HR 5.1
English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Region free
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 1.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
It finally happened. As much as I resisted its quirky charms over the years, as often as I politely declined its invitations, I finally took Doctor Who's hand and stepped into the swirling abyss. And what a wild, funny, brilliantly penned seven-episode plummet it's been. Doctor Who: Series Six, Part One is one of the most addicting, brain-bending, side-splitting five hours of sci-fi television you're likely to encounter this year, and easily trumps the vast majority of genre programming on this side of the Atlantic (or the other). I'm not sure what pushed me over the edge -- the Doctor Who Christmas Carol special (which I previously raved about in my official review), Matthew Smith's spirited turn as the good Doctor himself (not to mention Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill's performances as the Doctor's endearing companions), or executive producer and head writer Steven Moffat's wilier approach to the Who mythos and multi-verse (Russell T. Davies helmed Doctor Who's 21st century revival through Series Four, before a very deserving Moffat was given the reigns on Series Five) -- but here I am, free-falling and loving every minute of it.
The Doctor and his allies face the greatest evil in Earth's history...
There seem to be two prevailing opinions of BBC Video's recent high definition Doctor Who releases: some consider BBC's 1080i presentations to be mildly impressive but noisy and imperfect, while others, like myself, are far more pleased with the results. Series Six, Part One probably won't defy that trend. Personally, I remain ecstatic. As far as I'm concerned, BBC Video's 1080i/AVC-encoded Series Six image is nothing short of stunning. Colors are exceedingly accurate and altogether beautiful; skintones are warm, lifelike, and rarely falter; and contrast is dead on, black levels are rich and inky, and delineation is both natural and revealing. Detail, as always, is excellent throughout. There are a few shots plagued by distracting noise and some that appear a tad soft, but my complaints -- if you can even call them that -- end there. Fine textures are exacting and exceptionally well-resolved, edges are crisp, refined and clean (without any significant ringing to speak of), and clarity skims the rim of perfection. Moreover, aside from a few artifacts and color bands, the image is unhindered and the encode is as proficient as one could hope for. I didn't catch sight of any experience-spoiling anomalies, and crush, aliasing, smearing and aberrant noise simply aren't a factor. Tossing in the word "impeccable" would be overstating things, I'll admit. But I have to say the Series Six, Part One presentation comes commendably close. Frankly, I can't imagine any of the episodes could possibly look better than they do here. Perhaps if they were presented in 1080p, I suppose. Otherwise, I doubt I could be much happier.
And, like previous Doctor Who releases, Series Six, Part One boasts a terrific 2.0Mbps DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1 surround track. (Not to be confused with a lossless DTS-HD Master Audio mix.) Dialogue is bright, clear, nicely grounded and neatly prioritized, and sound effects are both effective and energetic. LFE output is noteworthy as well. Hurtling ships, deadly asteroids, swirling vortexes, blazing solar tsunamis, power surges, implosions, explosions and the ominous music that accompanies the series' villains are all bolstered by the LFE channel and, barring a few weak-willed thooms, little drifts off the rails. The rear speakers are also engaging, and do a fine job enveloping the listener in atmospheric ambience, TARDIS noises and environmental nuances; enough to easily label the experience immersive. Some front-heaviness puts a damper on all the fun, but it's the exception rather than the rule. Likewise, some less-than-convincing directional effects feel forced and artificial, although that may very well be in keeping with the at-times madcap tone of the show. All in all, there isn't much in the way of distractions or disappointments, meaning series fans will quickly be absorbed by Moffat's Who-verse and BBC Video's DTS-HD HR track.
The only extra included on the 2-disc Blu-ray edition of Doctor Who: Series Six, Part One is a pair of "Monster Files" featurettes (HD, 24 minutes) that provide an overview of some of the aliens, monsters and creatures that rear their heads in Series Six. It's an uncharacteristically anemic supplemental package, though -- previous Doctor Who Blu-ray releases boast commentaries, behind-the-scenes documentaries and much, much more -- I wouldn't be surprised at all if the inevitable release of Doctor Who: The Complete Sixth Series (or even the eventual release of Doctor Who: Series Six, Part Two) is packed to the brim with special features. Hopefully, the "Monster Files" aren't the only things we'll get for Series Six.
Moffat doesn't reinvent the Who wheel in Series Six, Part One, but he certainly improves upon it. With a sharper focus and with more immediate ramifications, richer characters, more monumental episode-spanning storylines, deeper emotions, darker overtones and a careful blend of humor, thrills and drama, Doctor Who is steadily working its way up the list of my favorite shows on television. Honestly, Series Six, Part One is worth the cost of admission for the first two episodes alone; two of the best hours of sci-fi I've seen in some time. The BBC Video Blu-ray release is one to own as well, at least if you're a fan of the series. With a high-quality AVC-encoded video transfer and a strong 2.0Mbps DTS-HD High Resolution 5.1 surround mix, it takes little effort to overlook the 2-disc set's near-barebones supplemental package. Season Six, Part One finally converted me to the Who fold. I know not every longtime fan or relative newcomer will react as positively to its seven episodes as I did, but I couldn't ask for much more from Moffat, Smith and the Who cast and crew.
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