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PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
Doctor Who-Last Christmas (Blu-ray) (2014)

Doctor Who-Last Christmas (Blu-ray) (2014)

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Released 15-Jan-2015

Cover Art

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Details At A Glance

General Extras
Category Science Fiction Audio Commentary
Featurette-Behind The Scenes
Rating Rated PG
Year Of Production 2014
Running Time 60:16
RSDL / Flipper No/No Cast & Crew
Start Up Language Select Then Menu
Region Coding 4 Directed By None Given
Studio
Distributor

Roadshow Home Entertainment
Starring Peter Capaldi
Jenna-Louise Coleman
Nick Frost
Case Standard Blu-ray
RPI $29.95 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
Widescreen Aspect Ratio 1.78:1
16x9 Enhancement
16x9 Enhanced
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

NOTE: The Profanity Filter is ON. Turn it off here.

Plot Synopsis

     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 & 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.

     This latest release is the post-Season 8 Christmas Special which was aired pre-Christmas in the UK and post-Christmas here. Generally speaking, I was disappointed with the Christmas special despite the appearance of Nick Frost as Father Christmas. It starts out quite funny but the story did not really work for me being a pretty weak copy of the idea in the movie Inception. The story kicks off with Father Christmas landing on the roof of Clara's house some time after she decided to stop travelling with The Doctor. Soon afterwards, The Doctor arrives in the TARDIS and whisks her away, seemingly to the Arctic. Soon it becomes clear that more than is obvious is going on and the Dream Crabs are responsible. How will they get out of their own dreams alive?

     This 60 minute special feels somewhat confused from a narrative perspective and does not stack up in quality terms to the rest of Series 8. The episode does end with some good news for series fans though, in my opinion anyway. A disappointment but certainly still of interest for Doctor Who fans.

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Transfer Quality

Video

     The video quality is very good, a step up from previous Doctor Who Blu-rays.

     The feature 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.

Video Ratings Summary
Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

     The audio quality is very good without being at feature film quality.

     This disc contains an English soundtrack in DTS HD-MA 5.1 and an Audio Descriptive track and commentary 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.

Audio Ratings Summary
Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Extras

     A small collection of extras.

Menu

     The menu features music and scenes from the show. Audio Navigation is available as an option.

Audio Commentary - Producer Paul Thrift and Director Paul Wilmhurst

     This is a pretty good commentary where they discuss scheduling and shooting challenges, makeup issue, casting, sets, anecdotes, scripting and more. Worth a listen.

Behind the Scenes (13:27)

     A behind the scenes featurette including cast and crew interviews and discussion of Nick Frost's role, the Dream Crabs, FX, plotting, casting and the presence of the son of second Doctor Patrick Troughton. Worthwhile.

R4 vs R1

NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.

    This special is available globally seemingly in the same format.

Summary

    A disappointing Christmas Special certainly compared to the marvellous Season 8.

    The video quality is very good.

    The audio quality is very good.

    A small selection of interesting extras.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Daniel Bruce (Do you need a bio break?)
Thursday, February 26, 2015
Review Equipment
DVDSONY BDP-S760 Blu-ray, using HDMI output
DisplaySharp 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 DecoderBuilt into amplifier. Calibrated with Ultimate DVD Platinum.
AmplificationMarantz SR5005
SpeakersMonitor Audio Bronze 2 (Front), Bronze Centre & Bronze FX (Rears) + Sony SAW2500M Subwoofer

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