The TV Movie

Reviewing this one in retrospect is pretty odd, particularly with how far Paul McGann's incarnation has shaped itself over the years. It is still a major bummer that we never got to see more of him in the TV spotlight, but hey, at least we got Big Finish.

Willing to admit that this is still enjoyable even if its kinda not all that great. Biggest issue hanging over it is the writing, ranging from the continuity hiccups, weak characterization, screwed up misunderstanding on how to handle the Master or other mistakes.

On the other, there's some good that holds it together. The production is pretty solid on the whole. Especially the gorgeous TARDIS interior and neat opening title sequence. Paul McGann's performance is wonderful, bringing a serious yet exciting and energetic feel to it all.

Overall its not very good and doesn't hold up all that much, but if you want something on for the background often, its just eh.

I love the pantomime of this master , I love Paul as the doctor and I love this tardis interior. Much else is messy , silly or shaky canon expansion (half human cough cough)
But I oddly like this movie and suggest it at the very least! .... as a curiosity.

Doctor Who - The Movie is a curious part of Doctor Who history. Intended to launch a new TV series produced by the BBC, Fox and Universal, instead due to poor viewing figures in America it has become something of a missing link between the classic and new series. So what was at fault?

Well, it feels like it was a mistake to include Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor at the beginning of the movie. This would no doubt have been confusing for new viewers who didn't previously follow the series; the TV movie did, after all, air seven years after the last episode of the classic series. The mistake was later corrected when Russell T Davies brought the show back in 2005, when he opted to start without a regeneration.

It's a shame that executive producer Paul Segal made the decision to include Sylvester McCoy although it's understandable. He is a Whovian after all, so the temptation to include a regeneration sequence was likely too much to resist. Overall, he did make a great movie though with an engaging plot and great actors.

The plot of the Master trying to steal the Doctor's remaining regenerations and nearly causing the end of the world by opening the Eye of Harmony is a good one that feels largely in character for the Master. Paul McGann and Daphne Ashbrook are fantastic as the Doctor and Grace Holloway too; so believable in their roles that many wish to see them reunited in the form of a Big Finish audio. I don't even mind the idea that the Doctor is half human on his mother's side; it makes sense given his fascination with Earth. My only real complaint besides what probably didn't work for new viewers is at times the Master appears more Count Dracula than the Master himself; this is largely down to Eric Roberts' performance, who seems too theatrical and hams it up a little.

Overall, the Doctor Who TV Movie is a great film that should have been successful but is let down by a couple of poor decisions like bringing Sylvester McCoy back as the 7th Doctor for a regeneration scene and Eric Roberts playing the Master too much like Dracula.

The TV Movie isn't that bad, it's 100% average. The Master is kind of awful in this one, The writing really did let it down, however I enjoyed it more than I expected. After multiple repeats, I can see a load of flaws in this one, however I do think it's enjoyable to some extent. I mean, even if you don't like it, you can admit that the precredits were awesome... at least.. However I would be lying if I didn't say Mcgann owned he screen whenever he was on it, he slipped very well into the role and had some really great interactions with Grace. over all the story is crappy, the plots meh, the acting is good, the replay is bad but it's not the worst thing ever.