The Next Doctor First Reviews

Carrying on with more Christmas news, two reviews have already been posted online for The Next Doctor. The special is due to air on Christmas Day, but there was a press screening event held very recently, but we actually did not hear any news about. But here they are, and thankfully in these reviews, nothing much 'spoilery' is told. The first is from SFX, which you can see here, or view a short snippet below;

Morrissey is great, and there's a lot more to his role than just pastiching the Doctor. The Cybershades are also surprisingly effective - they may look a bit naff in the trailers, but they prove worthy successors to the Cybermats. The Cybermen themselves aren't exactly on top form; they're more like Ciphermen much of the time, and come across a bit stupid. They also seem a lot weaker than usual. What happened to their super strength? And if you've heard that there's an Oliver Twist element involving lots of kids, well, there is, but don't worry - it's more Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom than the Baker Street Kids.

The second is from the Guardian, which you can see here, or again, view a short snippet below;

I would say The Next Doctor is pared down, but it would be difficult for it not to be after the frustratingly busy finale of the last series, which featured Rose, Martha, Donna, Sarah Jane, Captain Jack, Mickey and Jackie (and is surely available in a special And the Kitchen Sink box set). Indeed, the restraint of The Next Doctor – I realise that restraint isn't really a word you'd readily associate with the big, bold visions of Russell T Davies, so let me remind you that context is everything – could perhaps be a sign of things to come in 2009. Davies has said that in the next special the Doctor will be without a companion and without the Tardis – though how David Tennant's back injury will affect filming, which is supposed to begin next month, is anyone's guess.

All this looks pretty exciting already, but you'll be glad to know nothing is spoiled in these reviews. What do you think?

Cardiff Exhibition 2008

Warning; Possible Spoilers!

Yesterday, I had another great trip down to Cardiff, to see the newly-redesigned exhibition, and to have a look round the many filming locations of Doctor Who and Torchwood. But more about that in the next post, which should be up sometime this afternoon. The exhibition re-opened on Saturday, after being closed from the thirteenth of October. The exhibition is still located in the Red Dragon Centre, very near the Roald Dahl Plass in the middle of Cardiff Bay, where the Millennium Centre is (and the water tower). When I went I took lots of pictures, but I won't be able to upload them onto this site, as it uses to much memory, which can get full, so I've put them all in an album on Photobucket. You can see them all in grid view here, or to see a slideshow, click here! When on grid view, to see what it is and captions, just click the picture to get it larger to see it. But please DO NOT use them without my permission. If you would like to use them in any way, please contact be BEFORE you do. I do not like putting watermarks on pictures, and so I hope I can trust everyone, but apart from that, enjoy the images! Remember though, that if you are going and do not want to know what is there, please do not spoil yourself by looking, as it won't be my fault if you do. Unfortunately, I've forgotten to take a picture of a few exhibits, so sorry if you wanted to see these in the pictures. Below, I'm just going to write a few things about the exhibition, possible like a review. If you don't understand anything in it, or just looks like a big ramble, you'll know what I mean if you go to the real thing!

• How Big?  The exhibition is not actually much larger than before, but it definitely feels bigger, because there seems to be a lot more there. You go into the exhibition at an opening at the end of a very large banner, curved round the side. This is how it was done before. So, the outside is no bigger, but, because the space inside seems to be used a lot more efficiently, it does seem larger than it did before.
• Layout  The whole exhibition is laid out very well, and everything is clearly labeled, and easy to see and find, making all the displays a joy to look at. You start the route to the left, where you see costumes worn by the latest Doctors and their companions. Then the whole exhibition mostly goes round in a circle, apart from when you come back on the right, there is a large area, with many different displays, which takes up more room than it did on the other side. Every area is used very well, with no spaces, by the looks of it, not filled with something, at least. There is one place where you can skip a bit out, or just more on a bit, which is very good if there is a large queue, and then you can come back later. The exhibition finishes at the shop, and there is no way you can leave without entering! Just a way of making money, I suppose.
• New Features and Props  Not much in the exhibition now, has actually been used before, and mostly everything is new! So, even if you've been before, it will seem very new! Most of it is from the fourth series, with a few older things from Series Two and Three, but there isn't really anything from Series One. There is so much to see that you'll miss if you only go round once! Things I am talking about are props in glass cabinets. You may have a look at one or two, but then don't see others. This happened to me, when I was having a look at River Song's sonic screwdriver, and then I didn't see her diary underneath! So, if you're wanting to have a proper look round, have lunch or something and then come back, because it's worth it! Great new features include the new Supreme Dalek, with Dalek Sec and a Crucible Dalek. All these are made to move, with a press of a button, with light and speech effects. There's also General Staal, the Genetic Manipulation Device and a moving Cyberman! There is definitely enough to keep you occupied for a while, at least! Another thing is the computer screens located all round, with fantastic information you can learn. Most of these are for people new Doctor Who fans, with synopsises for Series One to Three and such, but it's great!
• Variety  There is everything from the real Tardis to Adipose tablets, so there is a lot of variety! A great thing is this Tardis, because behind it is a green screen and a camera is at the front, so you can go and stand by the Tardis, when it is on lots of different planets, and have your picture taken! Although, it is a bit faulty, because some of the Tardis blends into this background. If you're thinking that most exhibits are going to be similar, think again, because everything has it's unique place in the exhibition.
• Clear?  Something that is really great is that every feature is labeled very well, making everything easy to understand, so you know what you're looking at! Not only that, but it all looks great to look at! With pictures, and Doctor Who logos, fonts and textures everywhere, it's amazing! There is so much to read as well, about each exhibit and the characters and everything, so it's all brilliant! There are a couple of things though, without labels, which is a shame, as one thing from The Sarah Jane Adventures just looks like a rubbish dump!
• Security  It is clearly marked that the owners do not want to you to touch the exhibits displayed, or stand on any platforms where things are. This is good, as they don't want anything to get damaged or broken. It's amazing in fact, that everything is open for you to touch. If you go into normal museums, everything is put behind glass, to stop you. This is the great thing about these exhibitions though, so you can get up close to your favourite friends and foes. One of the qualities the the exhibitions provide is this.
• Shop  The shop used to be a whole lot bigger, and is now in fact quite small. It is on the right hand side as you walk in, and displayed across one wall and a corner. This is disappointing for such a good exhibition! One of the points that is is so small might be that there actually isn't enough space, so this might be why.
• Other  At the counter you can buy a Doctor Who locations guide, for where they filmed various different scenes, so this is very useful! It doesn't have every location on, but there is quote a lot! I would suggest going to the Gower Peninsula though, as it would take ages to get there! And the staff are very friendly!
• Overall  This is definitely one of the best exhibitions I've ever been to, compared to other Doctor Who ones. With its wide variety of new features, friendly atmosphere and clear displays, the whole thing proves to be outstanding!

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