just dug out my original review of the dvd release of the mcgann teevee movie for you....hope it fills you in on what you missed!
(no sniggering at the back)
Doctor Who ? The Movie
"Oh no! Not again!"
(An update of the original 2001 review fact fans)
Love it, or hate it, the 1996 TV movie was probably the biggest change to 'Doctor Who' since the advent of colour and the exiled on Earth format introduced in 'Spearhead from Space'. After years of rumours, half truths and wishful thinking, a surprise announcement was made in early '96; 'Doctor Who' was back as a big budget co-production between Universal and the BBC. The script was ready and the cameras were rolling and we had a new Doctor in the form of Paul McGann. The signs were good, the casting inspired. How could it possibly go wrong?
With the release of his sole TV adventure on DVD I thought the time was right to take a look back at this much-maligned story and to see what treats are in store for those of you who are tempted to replace your worn out VHS copies with this shiny new format. But for those of you who've still not seen it?
Whilst returning to Gallifrey with the remains of the Master, the TARDIS is forced to land in San Francisco where the Doctor is wounded during a gun battle between rival street gangs.
A botched medical procedure causes him to regenerate and, with no memory of who he is, the Doctor is forced to seek help from the surgeon whose examination 'killed' his seventh persona.
Meanwhile, across the city, the Master has taken possession of a new body?his ultimate goal; take the Doctor's remaining lives to secure his own existence, even if the cost is the complete destruction of Earth?
The TV movie seemed, as with all things related to the show, to split fandom, some felt it was a rip-roaring ninety minutes of fun and excitement whilst others cried foul regarding such 'heresies' as car chases, a beardless Master and 'that kiss', dubbing the TV movie, rather unfairly, 'Terminator Who'. The general public though (9 million of 'em!), tended to disagree. If there was any time that the show could cross back over into the mainstream, it was now.
While the press had been critical of the movie's (admittedly) lightweight plot, almost everyone felt that Paul McGann was an inspired choice for the lead role. McGann's initial fears about taking on the part ("I thought I'd look like a tosser!" was his original reaction) were calmed by new producer Philip Seagal; a British born, self confessed 'Who' fan, who had been vying for the rights to produced 'Doctor Who' since the late eighties. In Seagal, the fans seemed to have found the perfect person to take charge of the Doctor's travels after the shows problematic later years. Seagal appeared to be genuinely excited and committed to making the show "bigger than 'Star Trek'!" as he put it at the time. In hindsight, he was probably too big a fan. Watching the two interviews on the disc, one in '96 and one recorded in 2001 especially for the DVD, seems to prove this. The former shows him touring the TARDIS set, grinning like a kid in a sweet shop, talking about the Doctor's past adventures and the inner workings of the console, whilst the latter shows a quieter, more subdued, Seagal discussing the movie's failings. From compromises forced on him by the studio to the spiralling budget problems, Seagal seems to blame himself for everything. Fan reaction at the time couldn't have helped someone so eager to please; the movie could never live up to what they wanted or expected. It wasn't just a new story or the start of a new season; it was a new beginning, make or break time for 'Doctor Who'. If it succeeded, a new series would undoubtedly follow, if it proved a failure?.
"These shoes, they fit perfectly!"
The performances in the movie are some of the best to grace the show. After an initial bout of angsty/shouty 'acting', McGann starts being himself and seems to be thoroughly enjoying the role. Brimming over with an almost childlike sense of adventure and confidence, he completely wins the viewer over almost immediately, despite being forced to wear the shows most ridiculous wig since 'Time and the Rani'. He's got a cheeky glint in his eye throughout the story and a sense of mischief and fun not evident in the show since the early days of Tom Baker's Doctor. Daphne Ashbrook as Grace Holloway is a perfect foil to the eighth Doctor, their flirty, playful banter throughout is a joy to watch and, in the context of the story, the kiss is one of the shows best scenes. It's a sweet, innocent spur of the moment thing that suits the new Doctor perfectly.
Yee Jee Tso as street-kid Chang Lee is a kind of (less punchable, more streetwise) Adric, first helping the Doctor and then siding with the Master, who needs help defeating the 'evil' Doctor ("You remember Genghis Khan?" asks the Master, "What about him?" replies Chang Lee, "That was him!" he announces).
"I always dress for the occasion!"
What can you say about Eric Roberts' portrayal of the Master? For fear of being lynched (or, at the very least, being tutted at loudly next time I'm in Forbidden Planet) I think he's the best thing in the movie. He's funny and cool, camp and crazy, and, after the Dick Dastardly-esque wasp-chewing of Anthony Ainley's 'performance', actually quite scary. Look past the leather jacket and shades and you'll find a Master to rival Roger Delgado. The interplay between these 'best enemies' is fabulous and his getting changed before the final showdown reminded me of the Master stopping for a glass of port and a cigar before hiding from the Brig in 'The Time Monster'. If only Big Finish could get him for an Eight Doctor audio?
The only real gripe is that Sylvester McCoy gets so little screen time; he's never been better in the role and seemed as if he'd never been away. His final scenes are truly harrowing and to see the 'cosmic manipulator' gunned down in quirk of fate has a certain irony to it. The regeneration is superb, intercut as it is with James Whale's classic 'Frankenstein' and ranks alongside the Hartnell/Troughton regeneration for sheer magic.
Sure, the plot might be slight, but it's never stopped us enjoying the show before. And for those of you complaining about the car chase I've got three words to say to you?'the Pertwee era'. The more you think about it the more obvious it becomes as to how similar the movie is to a Pertwee story. Which, to my mind, is no bad thing, it's got the logo so why not the feel of it too?
"This can't be how it ends?."
As mentioned earlier, viewers in Blighty tuned into the show in their millions but across the pond, well, what can I say? 'Roseanne' (and 'Worlds Scariest Animals IV') beat the good Doctor hands down. Universal said 'no thanks' to a joint production and the BBC decided that the once cheap and cheerful 'Doctor Who' was far too expensive for them to produce alone. So, like that big rocket on Bonfire night or that rollercoaster ride that you queued two hours for, it was fun whilst it lasted but it was over far too quickly. Now the wait was on again?
Back to the disc, the transfer is great and the extras are superb. Director Geoffrey Sax's commentary, whilst starting off a little unsure (he admits that he's not seen the movie since its completion) gets better as he goes along, really getting into the swing of things towards the end. He seems to have really enjoyed watching it again. Of the two deleted scenes, the extended motorcycle cop scene is a really funny addition, whilst the alternate 'Puccini' take shows why it wasn't used. The interviews are short, but nice additions, whilst the behind the scenes feature is bizarre. After growing up with 'Doctor Who' features on Blue Peter and Swap Shop, seeing a proper American 'making of', complete with deep a voice-over calling it 'the movie event of the year!' is a little disconcerting.
For those of you that didn't fork out for the imported soundtrack, there's a music only option plus a full version of the song 'In a dream' as featured in the TARDIS scenes plus full versions of the various background songs used. The production notes are interesting, if a little sparse in places, but the photo gallery does showcase some never seen before pics (and some top quality Eric Roberts photo's suitable for framing?) which more than makes up for it.
In the ten years (!) after the TV movie, the 'Who' universe has never seemed busier, with fantastically popular new series rapidly approaching it's third season, Big Finish audios, BBC books and monthly comic strip, a far cry from the lean years of the early nineties. Looking back at 'the movie event of 1996' without the expectation and the hype it's hard not to find at least something to enjoy about Paul McGann's first, and probably last, TV adventure. Whether it's the magnificent gothic console room set, McGann's performance or just Eric Roberts in Cuban heels and a glittery cape, there really is something for everyone. If only thoughts of 'what could have been?' from the era that never was?