The Show
Yeah, it's February, which makes this sort of an odd time for a "Christmas" anything. But the Doctor Who Christmas Special has become a beloved tradition these past few years, and the most recent, his unique take on A Christmas Carol, premiered appropriately on the BBC on December 25, 2010. Allowing for a brief but significant home video release window, we have now been given the Blu-ray version and, well, there's likely still plenty of snow on the ground as we spin this yuletide neo-classic.
The Scrooge-like ruler (the always formidable Michael Gambon) of an alien world is refusing to assist a starship in distress, with 4,000 lives about to be lost if a crash landing can't be averted. He needs a good ghosting of his past, present and future, the sort that only The Doctor (Matt Smith) can provide, with only an hour to change the man's mind, his heart, and his entire life. And, by no small coincidence, it's Christmastime, even in this part of the universe.
The Picture
The video for the telly-originated Christmas Carol is framed at 16:9, with 1080i resolution encoded here as a high-bitrate VC-1. There's a lot of fog, actual and digital, which reproduces well here, sometimes carrying some credibly rendered CGI floating fish. The special effects have grown rather ambitious of late, although at times they can look a little fake. Blacks are typically harsh and unnatural, and there's just a minor bit of artifacts visible on the pattern of The Doctor's jacket, but this is clearly a modern, HD production, no mistaking that.
The Sound
Despite the package's claims of DTS-HD Master Audio, Doctor Who once again utilizes the less-popular, one-notch-down lossy DTS-HD High Resolution format, with a 5.1-channel mix. It's quite good actually, especially for a TV program on Blu-ray, with a fine clarity and power overall and excellent rear-speaker exploitation for alarms, P.A. systems, little noises like knocks and dripping behind us, as well as the inspired musical score. Creative and proficient.
The Extras
There are two substantial extras on the disc, each almost an hour in length, practically as long as the main program and at the same video quality. Doctor Who Confidential: Christmas Special 2010 is a fun, informative blend of celebration and "making of." Doctor Who at The Proms 2010 is the most recent themed concert at The Royal Albert Hall, an elaborate affair with the show's stars and surprise guests in full costume. I only wish that it was presented in 5.1, which is so great for live music.
Final Thoughts
Smart, touching and extremely amusing, this freestanding Doctor Who adventure (which picks up shortly after the conclusion of The Fifth Series) is like fruitcake: a holiday treat we can enjoy pretty much anytime. (Hey, I happen to like fruitcake.) The technical presentation is certainly above average, and the documentary and concert are like a couple of really thoughtful gifts for any Who fan.
Product Details
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