Movie: "Doctor Who" (1996)

[Dave]

I've just seen this again after 10 years and I think I disagree. It was given an injection of action and special effects and modernised, if that is 'americanisation' then it was, but it still remained in essence 'Doctor Who' to me, just an different interpretation. His perculiarities were even explained by Grace as being because he was British, to which Paul McGann replies "I suppose I am!" The motorcycle chases did seem out of place and unnecessary though.

I think it failed because of what Ray said; they didn't go far enough to appeal to the mass audience they had wanted it to. That resulted in no 'Doctor Who' for 9 years, which is a shame, but ultimately it is back, and IMHO as a much better interpretation than it would have been had they succeeded, so I'm glad that they didn't go further with this. I think Paul McGann would have made an excellent Doctor though, given the right scripts.

It also failed because the Fox Network showed it on US TV opposite an episode of Roseanne in which her husband suffers a heart attack. Unfortunately, Fox TV didn't learn from this as their record on showing new scifi TV since then continues to demonstrate.

As for the story, I think it lacks some good scifi monsters, the Master doesn't seem evil enough. He has to take his sunglasses off to show his green eyes before anyone suspects he might not be telling the truth, though he can spit burning yellow bile and a colourless goo for unexplained reasons. Why was he a snake anyway? The Eye of Harmony/End of the World scenario no longer has the same impact it did back in 1996 when all kinds of natural disasters were being predicted for the end of the old Millennium.

Some of the new background information given on the Doctor and the TARDIS seemed a little odd back then - his mother being Human - for one, but now in retrospect seem like they make a lot of sense.

This Doctor did seem to give out advice concerning the future more easily than usual, and brought people back to life when he hadn't before (but does again as the 9th Doctor with Rose). As the 5th Doctor, he was really cut up when Adric died yet he refused to go back in time and save him. I don't understand the difference.

I would liked more explanation on why the Master stood trial on Skaro and why the Doctor was present (or did he just go to pick up the remains as requested.) If it was the Daleks that put him on trial and attempted to execute the Master, (as is implied) how does that all fit with the new information given by the 9th Doctor concerning the Dalek/Time Lords Time War.

He kisses Grace on several occasions which he has never done before or since, but maybe he just really liked her.

The TARDIS is far larger, grander and spacious than ever shown before. Apart from the odd store rooms and old console rooms, the only other time I remember seeing so much of the TARDIS was the same looped corridor and conservatory during a chase with the 4th Doctor and Leela.

In general though, I thought this was a good outing for him.