DVD Review: Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead: David Tennant, Michelle Ryan: Movies & TV

Jul29

DVD Review: Doctor Who: Planet of the Dead: David Tennant, Michelle Ryan: Movies & TV

Posted by admin | on 29 July, 07:51 AM

Amazon.com
David Tennant began his victory lap as the Tenth Doctor with this engaging special episode of Doctor Who, one of four from 2009 that brought his tenure as the Time Lord to a close, and the first to be shot in HD. Tennant’s palpable energy and quirky charm are the engines that drive Planet of the Dead, and he’s well-matched by Michelle (Bionic Woman) Ryan as his one-off companion, Lady Christina de Souza. The lady’s chosen profession–jewel thief–launches the story when she attempts to evade the police on a tour bus occupied by the Doctor. As things of this nature often go in Doctor Who, the bus slips through a wormhole in time and space and winds up on the desert planet San Helios, which harbors both the industrious, fly-headed Tritovores and a species of stingray-like creatures with voracious appetites. The script by Russell T. Davies and Gareth Roberts (the first shared writing credit since Davies revived the series in 2005) makes fun references to all manner of desert-bound cinematic adventures, from Flight of the Phoenix to Pitch Black, and if there are a few too many well-worn moments to rank it among the best Tennant episodes (the psychic bus passenger is a bit convenient), the chemistry between Tennant and Ryan, as well as fine support by comic Lee Evans and Noma Dumezweni (returning as UNIT Captain Erisa Magambo from the Rose Tyler era) and the striking Dubai locations, should keep most Who fans entertained. The sole extra is an hour-long episode of Doctor Who Confidential that covers the special episode’s production and location filming. –Paul Gaita

End of the LINE or unscheduled stop? ….Easter Special continues counts down to the 10th Doctor’s final adventure.,

By Kevin J. Loria (New Orleans, LA USA) -
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I wondered how the BBC would handle their 4.5 season of specials…this. The one-shot new companion nature of the Dr. Who specials lends it self to this single story DVD release. This “Easter Special” follows the 2008 X-Mas special “The Next Doctor” leading us up to the END for the !0th Doctor as played by David Tennant….some reference is made to this in the final moments of Planet of the Dead with some foreshadowing similar to the Planet of the OOD line about the Doctor’s song coming to an End (but not before the October special and Xmas 2009).

Planet of the Dead is a pretty good special with some lovely cinematography and great location in the Dubai desert , some retro-aliens. The Doctor and a bus load of characters make an unscheduled stop on a desert planet . Characters like “sassy” wealthy adventurer/thief Lady Christina de Souza a’la Laura Kroft as played by the lovely Michelle Ryan (Merlin, the Bionic Woman, Jekyll) are likely to become fan favorites. Ryan, contrary to internet buzz, never auditioned to replace Billie Piper’s Rose in ‘06, but after seeing the end product I think you’ll agree she’d make a terrific season 5 or 6 addition to the cast.Enough filibustering for Ryan, the cast was great including Mousehunt’s Lee Evans who superbly plays UNIT’s technical support and parody of fandom….oh yeah did I mention UNIT gives fire support as always.

Extras….Backstory is outlined in the consistently good behind-the-scenes series “Dr. Who Confidential.” This features the making of the special was even better the actual end product…how the double-decker bus of shipped out of country, the stunts, disasters endured and of course effects.

AWESOME!!!,

By Eric Walker -

One greatest Sci fi programs of all time! I don’t see what the big deal is with everyone and the price of the DVD!! Most of the original Who shows with tom baker and john pertwee will run at least $20 or more for one DVD.. Personally I’m Glad that the last couple of David’s movies are being release indvidually rather having to pay a fortune for one big box set..The way I see it you have 2 options … Buy the DVD and enjoy it or don’t buy it and complain about how you don’t have it!!

Planet of the Dead,

By Jon Webster “New Legion Convert” (Pittsburgh, PA) -

After the emotional ride of the last season, this special offers a lighter adventure. Don’t let that fool you, this is as fun as the show has been since it was revived.

For those people who complain about the presentation, don’t buy it. As simple as that.
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