DR WHO 1996
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 1997 Timothy Voon
Paul McGann-The Doctor #8, Eric Roberts -The Master, Daphne Ashbrook- Dr. Grace Holloway, Sylvester McCoy-The Doctor #7, Yee Jee Tso-Chang Lee. Directed by Geoffrey Sax. Written by Matthew Jacobs.
This is the story of a 'Time Lord', half human, and half Gallifreyan, who journeys through time battling everything from giant squids, giant plants, giant spiders and bad nasties better known as the 'Daleks', and in particular a evil, rival time lord known as 'The Master.' Or so this is how many, viewers of the B.B.C. series, or avid sci-fi readers remember him simply as - 'The Doctor.'
A cat has nine lives, but 'The Doctor' has thirteen. What could possibly break this record number of lives? Perhaps the vast number of different actors who have filled those timeless shoes, and their lovely female companions with whom they share a little more than intellectual interests.
So, after such a long wait, why have they brought back 'The Doctor', 'The Tardis' and 'The Master'?
This movie is a nice thought, and a nice effort. Special effects are up to date, far superior to the slip-shod, 'flush the toilet for thunder storm' special effects of the 1970's. We have a believable 'Doctor' and a genuinely nasty 'Master'. The Doctor's new female companion is a beautiful, intelligent heart surgeon, and the 'Tardis' has had its interiors splendidly remodelled in the style of an English Library.
What could possibly go wrong? The answer is lack of chemistry. We have all the ingredients, but none of the intense spark generated between the 'Doctor', his 'Companion', the 'Master' and the 'Time Machine.' Perhaps the production isn't British enough, or simply, the time isn't right to resurrect the 'Doctor'. Who knows, but there's nothing here that is reminiscent of the classic 70's and 80's series, except for the familiar whirr of the 'Tardis', which is forever immortalised in our minds in another place, and another time.
Timothy Voon e-mail: stirling@netlink.com.au
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