Dr Who: S5 Vol 1: DVD Review

Dr Who: S5 Vol 1: DVD Review

Doctor Who: S5 Vol 1

Rating: PG
Released by BBC and Roadshow Home Entertainment

When David Tennant announced he was stepping down, there were fears that would be the end of the revamped Dr Who - but as ever, with this show, reinvention keeps it fresh.

Further consternation was caused when it was revealed the youngest ever actor Matt Smith would be taking on the role.

So to say there was a lot riding on the new series - along with new head writer Steven Moffat was an understatement.

But what a start to the new series - this volume collects together the opening trio of adventures for the 11th Doctor and his new companion Amy Pond.

The Eleventh Hour which introduces Matt Smith is the best of them - a thrilling rollicking ride which shows why Matt was born to play the role - with a spot on performance and a commanding presence from the off, it's easy to see why he was picked.

Sadly The Beast Below and Victory of the Daleks suffer in comparison to the opening adventure - the latter with its reinvention of the Daleks as multi coloured eye sores - there's nothing wrong with these tales but they don't sparkle as well as the Eleventh Hour.

Although Karen Gillan does well as the new companion and is at times, a bit wide eyed, it's a winning partnership and with hints of a season wide story arc, there's plenty of intrigue ahead.

Extras: The Monster files - a series of specially shot looks at the baddies of this adventures finally lift these releases simply out of the vanilla status.

Rating: 7/10