What a marvellous way to start a marvellous series. It has just the right amount of suspense, action and aliens to scare children but also to be suitable for children. The story is fast paced and well though out. It set's the story up very quickly showing Maria moving in across the road from Sarah Jane who's life is very much and obviously influenced by the doctor. I really liked Mrs Wormwood, who was acted beautifully, you could really believe she is villain. The factory where they make bubble shock is great and a great set. My favourite moment of the episode is when one of the Bane comes into Sarah-Jane's home, it Is a great scene with great acting. The explosion is good too. The only thing I didn't really like was the Bane mother, I don't think she looked as well as she could have. Overall a great first episode which works well with a younger audience.
2 Comments
An excellent story with the right amount of atmosphere that creates one of the creepiest episodes of Torchwood. This story is one of my favourite Torchwood stories as I love something with a few scares. The music really adds to the effect, especially with the fairground music really sends shivers down your spine! The acting by Julian Bleach and Camilla Power (Ghostmaker and Pearl) are the main things that create the effect, Julian's creepy voice (he also played Davros in Journeys end) and Pearl, the way she doesn't talk much is quite scary, and the way she is happy about stealing someone's last breath is quite disturbing. The episode overall is just scary, but the acting from these two are the main factors. Also the directing and the locations they use also add to the effect, for example the swimming pool where they (no better word for it) hang out, was particularly creepy, the fact they choose a place once full of life and fun times now abandoned and dead kind of sums up these two characters. And also they are from a creepy circus which in itself a lot of people have a fear of because of clowns for example. Finally there is a good ending, with quite an intelligent way of sorting everything out, although it's a shame only one person survived. Overall, one of the more creepy episodes of Torchwood yet definitely worth watching. Boring, boring, boring. That's all I can say about this story really. I try and look at the good things of most classic doctor who episodes but with this one I just can't, it's boring. No other word for it. The first instalment of this story is pretty good actually, it set's the story up pretty well and it's good how it still shows Turlough as the assassinator he was set up to be in 'Mawdryn Undead'. I also liked the little bit where Tegan gives Turlough Adrics room (even though Adric is one of my least favourite companions) I thought Janet Fielding acted this really well and showing the effects of him leaving very good. Then after part one the whole thing goes downhill, the costumes, the sets, the dialogue, the directing. Everything is just bad. There are of course the odd scene that isn't boring but these scenes don't last long. In the special features the writer, I thought was deluded. He said that he overheard someone in a bar saying it was the best piece of science fiction he'd seen in the last 10 years, what a coincidence that someone saying it was amazing was standing next to the writer when he said it, the last I heard of Terminus, the guy was saying it was awful, the writer is completely deluded! I also noticed that most people blamed everything on director, which I felt was completely wrong for reasons stated in the special features by the directors friend. Lastly, this episode was Nyssa's last, and what a stinker to go out on. The first thing that stand's out to me about this episode is the directing. It is beautifully done with some great shots of the house, it is used really well to show emotions and action scenes. The plot is quite good although it kind of looses it towards the end of the second part and most of the third part due to the fact some thing's aren't clearly explained for example the light person; I don't have a clue who he was. It may have just been me not paying attention but he needed explaining more. The story is quite well paced and the area's that are a little boring are mainly in part 3, with part 1 being really very good! Also the fact it was a 3 part helped it I think and made it easy to watch. The set's were okay although I loved the house! Since this is quite and old release there isn't much you can say about the cover/special features, but what's there is quite good. Overall a good classic adventure although it can become a little complicated towards the end. This episode I think really defines the second doctor especially in the first part, those opening scenes really show how fun, and happy and the love for travelling through the stars the second doctor is. Also it shows the fabulous acting skills of Pat Troughton as he shows how he can play a villain whilst also showing off how he can change his voice so brilliantly. The plot is really quite brilliant although there are some areas which I find a little boring (which is why it took me so long to review this story). With the DVD the cover is brilliant and the slipcase is the icing on the cake (although mine was slightly dented). My biggest problem with this release is the special features, mainly the fact there isn't any. There is only a next time trailer (Web of fear) and that is it. So I am hoping there will be a whole lot of special features on the Web of fear, or maybe this story will be in a box set or something. I also think that because of this, it's a little unnecessary that this story has a slipcase, I just think it doesn't really deserve a slipcase (just my opinion) anyway, the story is great, and the acting is one of Troughton's finest. It is a great story but a little disappointing there aren't any special features. |
About this areaThis area will be where I write reviews on Doctor Who DVD's classic and new. The area is split up into episodes of the 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's and new who to make it easier for me and you to see them. Enjoy! Archives
October 2015
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