Doctor Who-Series 8 (Blu-ray) (2014) |
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General | Extras | ||
Category | Science Fiction |
Main Menu Audio & Animation Featurette-Making Of-All epsiodes Audio Commentary-4 eps Featurette-Various Featurette-Three 45 minute specials Music Video |
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Rating | |||
Year Of Production | 2014 | ||
Running Time | 590 | ||
RSDL / Flipper |
Dual Layered Multi Disc Set (5) |
Cast & Crew | |
Start Up | Menu | ||
Region Coding | 4 | Directed By |
Graeme Harper Euros Lyn James Strong James Hawes |
Studio
Distributor |
Roadshow Home Entertainment |
Starring |
Peter Capaldi Jenna-Louise Coleman Samuel Anderson |
Case | Slip Case | ||
RPI | ? | Music | Murray Gold |
Video | Audio | ||
Pan & Scan/Full Frame | None |
English DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 English Descriptive Audio Dolby Digital 2.0 English Audio Commentary Dolby Digital 2.0 |
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Widescreen Aspect Ratio | 1.78:1 | ||
16x9 Enhancement |
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Video Format | 1080i | ||
Original Aspect Ratio | 1.78:1 | Miscellaneous | |
Jacket Pictures | No | ||
Subtitles | English for the Hearing Impaired | Smoking | No |
Annoying Product Placement | No | ||
Action In or After Credits | No |
It is hard to believe that any television show could run for 50 years, let alone what started as a little sci-fi series designed for kids on the BBC. This series has enthralled, excited and inspired generations of children and adults alike. There have been spin-off series, movies and more over the years. The new incarnation of the series has now completed its Eighth season. This season sees a new Doctor take the controls of the Tardis and he is certainly a departure from the younger Doctors such as the last two. Peter Capaldi is the new actor in the role and he is a revelation, cranky, less empathetic especially to people's emotions but still the same guy who wants to save the world and protect everyone in it. This is great writing and a great new direction for the show.
The new Doctor Who series has been going from strength to strength with excellent storylines, four interesting actors as The Doctor (Christopher Eccleston, David Tennant, Matt Smith and now Capaldi) plus some excellent companions such as Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill) and River Song (Alex Kingston). The second part of the seventh season introduced a new companion, Clara Oswald (Jenna-Louise Coleman) although the character or variations on the character had appeared in previous episodes. She continues through Series 8 becoming the companion to the new Doctor but not without some reservations on her part. Their relationship is tested during the season.
This season contains 12 episodes and I must admit after the first two I was a little concerned that it would not quite work, however soon any concerns I had were blown away by how well it was working. Peter Capaldi is excellent as the new Doctor as is the changing relationship with Clara which is really well written over the course of the season. Another great developing overarching storyline is Clara's relationship with Danny Pink (Samuel Anderson). There are some great episodes included in this season such as Robot of Sherwood, which is lots of fun, Listen which is creepy but revealing, Flatline which sees the Doctor in peril and Mummy on the Orient Express which features a cracker concept. Our old friends The Daleks and the Cybermen make welcome returns in this series as does (SPOILER ALERT: highlight with mouse to read) The Master but in a different form. One of my favourite comedic actors, Ben Miller as makes a guest appearance. I found the two part finale episode interesting conceptually but mildly disappointing in delivery.
The set is spread across 5 Blu-ray discs with the 5th only including extras. The discs are housed in a hard case with a cardboard slipcover.
A great new season, a great new Doctor. Bravo!
The video quality is very good, a step up from previous Doctor Who Blu-rays.
The series is presented in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio which is the original aspect ratio. It is 1080i rather than full 1080p.
The picture was quite sharp and clear throughout. Shadow detail was very good.
The colour is excellent, really showing off the new sets and locations for this series.
There was some minor motion blur during fast movement and some little bits of aliasing.
There are subtitles available in English for the Hearing Impaired which are clear and easy to read.
There are no obvious layer changes.
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The audio quality is very good without being at feature film quality.
The discs contain an English soundtrack in DTS HD-MA 5.1, plus an Audio Descriptive track in Dolby Digital 2.0 and some commentaries also in Dolby Digital 2.0.
Dialogue was quite clear however sometimes it got lost in the mix of effects and music, meaning the subtitles were useful at times.
The music by Murray Gold is excellent as usual adding significantly to the show.
The surround speakers were well used for lots of directional effects such as lasers, screams and action scenes plus significant atmosphere and music and the subwoofer supported the TARDIS sounds, music and action scenes.
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Overall |
A big and quality collection of extras. Many of them have HD-MA 5.1 sound.
The menu is similar to other seasons of Doctor Who featuring the Tardis in a wormhole and the theme music. Audio Navigation is available as an option.
Four episodes feature audio commentaries as follows
Ex-Doctor Peter Davison hosts this special where he tries to work out what the qualities of the ultimate Time Lord are by interviewing various actors who have played the Doctor, talking to Stephen Moffat and also considering how companions and enemies have an impact on his personality and traits. A little silly at times, however, this is certainly an interesting special which is worth watching for fans. Made to promote Season 8.
Ex-Doctor Peter Davison hosts this second special where he tries to work out what the qualities of the ultimate companion are by interviewing various actors who have played the Doctor & companions including current and older ones, talking to Stephen Moffat and other crew members. A little silly at times, however, this is certainly an interesting special which is worth watching for fans
Very short featurette on the design changes in the new TARDIS.
Music Video for the cover of the Queen song used during the new series.
Stephen Moffat and others discuss how they went about casting Capaldi and why they chose him.
Moffat discusses the first episode and the tonal ideas they were going for with the new series.
Basic concept of the show and the character through interviews with cast and crew.
Promo with cast telling us why we should watch the season we have probably already watched.
Behind the scenes featurette for each episode with interview segments, scenes, shotting footage etc. Worthwhile for fans but a little too much for others.
Q&A session with a live audience in a cinema, one of 450 cinemas across the UK where the first episode of the new season was launched. Capaldi, Jenna Coleman and Stephen Moffat answer questions from a compere and the audience. There is a focus on Capaldi as the new Doctor but other topics are covered too. Worth watching.
A somewhat overlong special about the short world promotional tour done by Capaldi and Coleman for the new Doctor including Cardiff, Mexico, Korea and more. Mostly crowds of fans and short promotional items.
Four different trailers for the whole season or individual episodes.
NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.
This season is available globally seemingly in the same format.
The video quality is very good.
The audio quality is very good.
Great selection of interesting extras.Video | |
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Review Equipment | |
DVD | SONY BDP-S760 Blu-ray, using HDMI output |
Display | Sharp LC52LE820X Quattron 52" Full HD LED-LCD TV . Calibrated with Ultimate DVD Platinum. This display device is 16x9 capable. This display device has a maximum native resolution of 1080p. |
Audio Decoder | Built into amplifier. Calibrated with Ultimate DVD Platinum. |
Amplification | Marantz SR5005 |
Speakers | Monitor Audio Bronze 2 (Front), Bronze Centre & Bronze FX (Rears) + Sony SAW2500M Subwoofer |