8.3 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 3.7 |
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: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.78:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English SDH
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Slipcover in original pressing
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 3.5 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
The Time of the Doctor brings Matt Smith's run as the Doctor to a satisfying, emotional close full of big reveals, memorable moments, quotable quotes and the same quippy, impish playfulness that has defined Smith's tenure. It even ties up a surprising amount of dangling plot threads in an hour. An hour. It just does it while wearing a few hats too many, sometimes one atop the other. Christmas special. 800th Doctor Who episode. Follow-up to the highly praised 50th Anniversary special. Unofficial trilogy capper (Name of the Doctor, Day of the Doctor, Time of the Doctor). A nifty regeneration-cycle reboot wrapped in a mythos-compatible series extension. (Although more contentious fans might replace "mythos-compatible" with "contrived.") A fond farewell to the eleventh... or rather twelfth incarnation of the internationally beloved Time Lord. A brief introduction to Peter Capaldi's wild-eyed Doctor. On and on and on. Writer and showrunner Steven Moffat and director Jamie Payne barely pause to catch a breath, spitting out answers to long-standing mysteries as if they were candy -- the particulars of Trenzalore, the War Doctor retconning, that pesky glowing tear in time and space, the little issue of the Doctor's depleted regeneration energy, the purpose and prophecy of the Silence, et al -- to the point that the Christmas special employs narration to make sense of what should have been a more liberally paced and plotted two-part/ninety-minute send-off.
Doctor Who is on a roll, serving up yet another striking, true-to-its-source 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation. The Time of the Doctor is noisier and a bit more problematic than previous Smith-helmed series releases -- with spikes in grain, black levels that range from dusty to deep, and contrast inconsistencies aplenty -- but any perceived loss in quality is purely subjective. Colors are bold and naturally saturated. Detail is excellent, with crisp edges and precisely resolved textures. Moreover, macroblocking, banding, aliasing and other poor sports are nowhere to be found. There's the usual FX-born anomalies Whovians have come to expect, sure. Each instance is easy to shrug off, though, making Time's encode as commendable as those featured on Series 5-7.
The Time of the Doctor boasts a strong, able-bodied DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track designed to please. The soundfield isn't quite as immersive as in seasons past, but then the special is either loud and aggressive (with aliens attacking, Daleks amassing or explosions erupting) or quiet and reflective (with Clara hanging on the Doctor's every whispered word), without much in the way of sonic nuance. Rear speaker activity is more than serviceable, thankfully, with welcome directional prowess and smooth pans, and LFE output leaves its mark, throwing the full fury of its low-end force behind the assault of the Doctor's mortal enemies. Dialogue remains clear, intelligible and carefully prioritized at all times as well, even if the special's narration is sometimes at odds with the on-screen action. All told, The Time of the Doctor fares quite well, without any major issues of note.
The Time of the Doctor isn't the best Smith-helmed episode or special of Doctor Who, but his hour-long farewell to the series is among the most moving, with an emotional send-off worthy of his puckish tenure as Gallifrey's rebellious Time Lord. The Blu-ray edition proves itself worthy as well, with a striking video presentation, capable DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track and decent supplemental package. (Although I do wish a more in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the Christmas special had been included.) So goodnight, sweet prince. You will be missed. Now bring on Capaldi. I think I'm finally ready to see what Moffat and company have up their sleeve next.
2005
2005-2006
Remastered
2005
Remastered
2005-2006
Remastered
2006-2007
2007
Remastered
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2008
Remastered | The Next Doctor / Planet of the Dead / The Waters of Mars / The End of Time
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2023
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2020
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2019
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2009
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