Dr Who - Ace Adventures: DVD Review

Dr Who - Ace Adventures: DVD Review

Rating: PG
Released by the BBC and Roadshow Home Entertainment

There are times when it's hard being a Dr Who fan.

Sure, there's been the renaissance of the new series and the show's new found popularity. But for those of us who've been there from the beginning, there are the dark days of the 80s when budget cuts didn't help the lofty expectations of the writers and the show became a little more slapdash in the story department.

Sadly, Ace Adventures is partially one of those times.

These two tales - Dragonfire and The Happiness Patrol - from the late 80s see Sylvester McCoy's Seventh Doctor teaming up with new companion, Ace (played by Sophie Aldred) and bidding farewell to Bonnie Langford's Mel.

In the first, Dragonfire, a three part serial, the Doc is involved in a treasure hunt and gets to meet Ace; and in the second, both Ace and the Doc end up on a world where happiness must prevail otherwise death comes a knocking.

Both are fairly average tales with some good moments but also some appallingly bad ones too. Sophie Aldred makes a solid entrance into what became a fairly successful partnership for the final years of the show.

The release's not been helped by a relatively unremarkable set of extras; basic behind the scenes and little else bring nothing additional to the experience.

A disappointing release for a much loved companion.

Extras: Commentaries, behind the scenes/ making of docos and a couple of mini featurettes.

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