The Greatest Lightsaber Fights Episodes I-VI Countdown!

An elegant weapon from a more civilised age my butt! Slicing hands, legs, arms, torso’s, droids; elegance is not quite the diction I’d use to describe a lightsaber; regardless, this unique weapon used throughout the Star Wars franchise has been used with deadly purpose. In this post, I countdown the top 10 battles, paying homage to the the “elegance” of the mighty Jedi laser sword!

10- Obi-Wan Kenobi VS Darth Vader (Star Wars Episode IV- A New Hope 1977)

Not exactly the most thrilling of sequences, however it did establish what a lightsaber can do and was actually the first on screen battle using them. Here, the aged Obi-Wan confronts the Sith lord Vader aboard the Death Star to finish off their rivalry (resuming from Episode III where Obi Wan subsequently sliced off Vader’s limbs… Awks). It was a badly choreographed fight and didn’t give an eye to the potential of either warrior, but this is where lightsaber duels began, in this short sequence between a cyborg and an old man.

9- Obi Wan Kenobi VS General Grievous (Star Wars Episode III- Revenge of the Sith 2005)

General Grievous was set up to be a badass cybernetic commander of the droid army and in many ways he fulfilled that title; his design was beautiful, the fact that he kept trophies of Jedi lightsabers after he killed them is pretty dark for a family film and his voice was almost as ominous as Darth Vader’s… almost. But when it came to this fight, it kind of left me wanting more. It was good from what we could see, but the action and actual duel was all too brief because Obi Wan kept slicing off Grievous’ various hands… The same Grievous who had supposedly killed loads and loads of Jedi… So is Obi Wan like… the best or what? I dunno. All I am saying is that there could have been more for the build up we endured as a viewership.

8- Obi Wan Kenobi & Anakin Skywalker VS Count Dooku (Star Wars Episode III- Revenge of the Sith 2005)

Take 2 on the trio and where they had left off in the climactic scene in Episode II: Attack of the Clones, but with Anakin with a few less limbs. Count Dooku had proven himself to be a worthy adversary to the Jedi and this all but assured that. With Obi Wan quickly incapacitated in the throne room of the droid control ship (why does it have a throne room again?), it is up to Anakin to defeat Dooku, which of course he does and then slices his head off. The moves are good, the direction is good and if you can ignore Hayden Christensen and his acting; you’ll enjoy it too! It is just how Obi Wan stood on his own against Dooku before and then is knocked away with ease now. I know it was a plot device so that Anakin could further delve into the dark side of the force but Obi Wan goes on to kick General Greivous’ four armed butt… but hey?

7- Yoda VS Count Dooku (Star Wars Episode II- Attack of the Clones 2002)

From the moment little Yoda’s walking stick could be heard tapping on the stone floor of the Geonosian hanger bay, shit was about to go down… and it did. Yoda was soon bouncing and flipping around the place, showing off moves never before seen in Star Wars. Now we know why he is the true Jedi Master. With an epic display of agility and speed, Yoda was caught between the defeat of Dooku and saving his Jedi companions; naturally, he let Dooku flee. The fighting itself is great, but again, all too brief and I wasn’t sure this was the best time to reveal Yoda’s true potential as a fighter; it felt a bit wasted on Dooku.

6- Mace Windu VS Darth Sidious (Star Wars Episode III- Revenge of the Sith 2005)

Samuel L.Jackson; the most badass Jedi to have existed? He certainly held his own against the Sith lord Sideous upon uncovering his true identity. While three other noble Jedi were slain in seconds, Mace Windu was able to subdue Sideous with skill and tactic. The fighting was good, shame about the obvious CGI on Palpatine’s face and the camp grunts made throughout. This was also the big reveal and our first look at how the Emperor fights… which was dirty. I did enjoy the scene though and both combatants were a worthy match for each other. When Palpatine is finally knocked to the ground, are we to assume that he’d genuinely lost or knew Anakin would come to his side? He did then go on to kick Yoda’s butt… YODA!

5- Obi Wan Kenobi VS Anakin Skywalker (Star Wars Episode III- Revenge of the Sith 2005)

Yes, it was the ultimate battle that audiences had waited to see for decades. Yes, it was master and pupil battling it out. Yes, we all wanted to see Hayden Christensen’s awful acting finally end. It was a brilliantly choreographed fight sequence, no denying so why is it so far down my list? It was just a bit too long. Sorry. And they kept stopping for breathers…? Just become Darth Vader already! Kudos to Hayden Christensen though for his final sequence because he was actually quite… good? As good as an actor can be burnt with no arms or legs.

4- Luke Skywalker VS Darth Vader (Star Wars Episode V- The Empire Strikes Back 1980)

So, Luke has half a films worth of training that consisted of carrying Yoda around in a back pack, using the force to lift rocks and R2-D2 and battle a hallucination induced Darth Vader before going off to fight one of the greatest Jedi/Sith lords of the age… Hmm. Well with that kind of thinking, I hope that the hand he lost taught him a lesson. Fighting their way through the underbelly of Cloud city in a considerably more energetic way than previously seen in a New Hope, this certainly upped the game when it came to a lightsaber duel in the Star Wars Universe. Plus we get to hear the legendary “No… I am your father” line that everyone mistakes for “Luke… I am your father”. Voila! Cinematic history made.

3- Luke Skywalker VS Darth Vader (Star Wars Episode VI- Return of the Jedi 1983)

Matured and a shit load calmer than in The Empire Strikes Back, Luke attempts to kill the Emperor aboard the Death Star Mark II, but is subsequently stopped by Darth Vader, ensuing another battle between the two rivals (someone has daddy issues). This time, Darth Vader has his ass badly kicked (down the stairs) but the good within Luke prevails, refusing to kill his father and turn to the Dark side. I think it’s the emotional outburst and direction of this final scene between father and son that puts it so high on the list; this was the ultimate duel to end them all when audiences sat in theatres after almost three films worth of build up and in my mind, it didn’t fail to deliver.

2- Yoda VS Darth Sidious (Star Wars Episode III- Revenge of the Sith 2005)

Two frail old blokes with laser swords fighting aboard an ascending platform into a fictional court of justice. What’s not to love? The top bad guy and the top good guy; everyone loves a battle between the two just to see who is better and despite the master face-puller that is Darth Sideous grunting all over the show, the battle truly is an entertaining one, smashing up the Royal Senate on Coruscant (that’s a hefty insurance claim) and proving the two rivals equal.

1- Qui Gon Jinn & Obi Wan Kenobi VS Darth Maul (Star Wars Episode I- The Phantom Menace 1999)

Yes, Phantom Menace was awful (Jar Jar) but the end lightsaber duel between the trio is honestly my favourite and unlike Episode III’s climactic fight, didn’t seem too drawn out. John William’s legendary score “Duel of the Fates” (says it all) accompanied with Darth Maul’s acrobatic skills and dark demeanor left me truly wowed as a four year old in the cinema. When Qui-Gon Jinn is sliced down by Darth Maul, it’s time for the young Obi-Wan to step us as master bad-ass and beat the baddy, which he does with an impressive amount of rage induced gusto. Well… Go Obi-Wan I guess.

SPOILERS FOR STAR WARS EPISODE VII-The Force Awakens

I am not sure where I would rank Kylo Ren VS Rey (Star Wars Episode VII- The Force Awakens (2015) as it was brief and she kind of kicked his butt royal, despite receiving zero training and fighting the grandchild of one of the greatest Jedi there has ever been (Anakin/Darth Vader by the way; chill it nerds). Still a decent fight though in the snowy setting and we have yet to see who Rey really is…? Hmm… Plus Kylo Ren’s new lightsaber design has actually grown on me?

Well that’s my round up; I was named after Luke Skywalker (not sure if that’s ashamedly or proudly stated) so Star Wars feels like it’s in my blood. Any comments are welcome, as Star Wars is kind of a hot topic at the moment with the imminent release of Star Wars Episode VII on DVD in a few weeks. Read on and Prosper!

Let the Devil out!

Twelve years after the cinematic début of Ben Affleck’s red leather bound vigilante hit our screens, Marvel’s Daredevil is most certainly back in the hotly anticipated Netflix series named (aptly) “Daredevil”. Starring Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock and Vincent D’Onforio as Wilson Fisk, the series tells the story of how the hero develops to his true potential via his super senses gained through his blindness, against the scum and crime of Hell’s Kitchen.

Just a little background info on the Daredevil(s) most famously known on screen. “Daredevil” (2003) was released with much anticipation with the recent success of Marvel’s other critically acclaimed hits, Blade (1998), X-Men (2000) and Spider-Man (2002). Starring Ben Affleck as Matt Murdock, Daredevil must protect the citizens of Hell’s Kitchen against Michael Clarke Duncan’s Kingpin and Colin Farrell’s Bussleye, whilst juggling a rough lawyer occupation, love interests in the form of Jennifer Garner’s ninja, sai-wielding Elektra and coming to terms with his own livelihood.

The film, needless to say, was not exactly the most successful of Marvel’s cinematic endeavours, however has a personal choice, I found an enjoyable movie and to this day, still stands as one of my personal favourites; it even warranted its own spin-off in Elektra (2005), another favourite of mine. Unfortunately, this didn’t go too well in Marvel’s favour either when it comes to success, but still stands as part of the Marvel cinematic mythology that audiences have come to know and love.

Since then, there have been but whispers and rumours as to where the character could be taken next and it was finally decided that, with the popularity of TV and Film distributor Netflix on the rise, Daredevil would once again see the light of day (or rather more appropriately not… if you get it). We have all seen it before with DC’s Arrow, Flash, Gotham and Marvel’s Agent’s of Shield making it big on the small screen as it were, but what could a blind superhero bring to the table to which the film had not already covered and to which we had not seen before? As I write this, I am actually watching… Now the second episode has begun, so this is a very initial and fresh reaction to the show that scored a current 9.3/10 stars on the Internet Movie Database amongst audiences and critics alike.

I like the characters, I like the story of Daredevil, but I wasn’t really going into this expecting much. However! The first episode alone did not disappoint! The action sequences in particular are impressive; the direction is effective and especially stylised due to the nature of Daredevil’s ability based on sound. The most impressive thing for me was the writing; unlike many other shows, it doesn’t get too down in the mud and then over complicate contexts and plot developments and despite the narrative being non-linear (jumping back and forth through time via flashbacks) it all seems to make sense. Everything that is said and done is pretty clear and easy to follow but is still entertaining enough to be unpredictable.

Another point of note, is the performances of pretty much all the actors… and it is not very often, that is said. I may not be a RADA graduate but I do know a little about acting and performance and on the whole, the actors and their abilities make the show much more enjoyable; thumbs up on casting! I was a little put off by Charlie Fox -cough- Stardust -cough- but he’s actually quite fitting as the black suited Daredevil and doesn’t over play it at all; his performance focus isn’t on that his character is blind and it just seems quite natural and effortless, which is nice. As of yet, there has been lots of talk amongst the mob but Wilson Fisk or the Kingpin hasn’t made a physical appearance as episode 2 comes to a conclusion but I am sure it won’t be too long.

The show is gritty, made even more so by the fact that the majority of the show is played without a score and therefore each scene seems to keep its pace and flow. Both adult and child stories of Matt Murdock are intertwined and both develop nicely along side each other. I was expecting more violence than is shown on screen; I wasn’t too sure if the show would be an 18 (that’s BBFC rating for any non-UK readers) but it is actually a 15 age certificate. Yes, the show is violent, but not grotesquely; not in tremendous detail but enough for those who are squeamish to may be look away. There is a particular fight sequence in the second episode that is directed in a single shot lasting about three minutes and is remarkably refreshing from the standard quick cut, fast paced fight sequences that many films and shows conform to. Very impressive and highly entertaining. Yeah, I think it is safe to say, as I delve into the third episode, that I would recommend this. 

Be warned though; the episodes become increasingly violent as they progress; the beginning of episode 3 is a little flinching. Hopes for a second season? I am hoping that they change the aesthetic of the character; not saying that Daredevil’s costume is bad or anything. I think I have seen a few posters or promotional pictures of what his new suit looks like and I think I prefer that. Also I hope they introduce Elektra; she made the original film bearable and a love story may produce a new dynamic to the show and characters. I am going to continue watching now and I hope to all those who have read, that they found it useful!

Read on and Prosper!

The Batman Begins Again Part 2

I am a Batman person, not a Spiderman person; it’s just the way it is. Like many others that have grown to love and admire the character, whether it be the comic book variant, the sinister Keaton or the tech-savvy Bale, as part of the target audience for the latest incarnation of Batman in “BvS:DOJ”, I believe we have a right to be very protective over what directors and conceptual artists and actors do with him.

2005 saw an entirely new reboot of Batman, headed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale as Batman. Unlike before, this gave a complete background story of just how Batman came to be; something we as an audience, had not seen before. We can tell that Nolan wanted realism to be the basis for his trilogy; watching it, it seemed everything was, at the very least, plausible and went into great depth to show how Bruce Wayne and his butler, Alfred (Michael Caine) drew up the concept of Batman from its foundations to who he becomes in the climactic battle with Ra’s Al Ghul (Liam Neeson) and the Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy). With twists and turns in the plot and a non-linear narrative, admittedly, upon first watch, “Batman Begins” was a little tricky to keep up with. The script is complex, the theatricality of it all appeared flexible in its plausibility and it seemed the Batman was very much back!

Following on from the success of “Batman Begins” stands a strange man, holding a clown mask on a Gotham street corner, just waiting for a ride. “The Dark Knight” made its big screen debut in 2008 and soon became one of the best comic book movies ever made, mainly due to Heath Ledger’s impressively dynamic portrayal of the Joker. With a much cleverer and more dangerous Joker terrorizing Gotham City, a freshly suited Batman (Bale) must fight to protect the one he loves (Rachel Dawes by Maggie Gyllenhaal) and stop Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart) from realizing his dark potential. After the first appearance of the Tumber (or Batmobile) in “Batman Begins”, I wasn’t sure as to how to receive it; it was amazingly designed, bulky, powerful and had all the fine attributes of being an almost personified character in the franchise, even if it did not adhere to the more classic Batmobile look. Whether you loved it or hated it, it was soon destroyed and reborn in the sleeker and motorbike-like Batpod; another slice of Batman mythology was born. This chapter of the Dark Knight Trilogy ends with the death of Harvey Dent’s Two-Face and Batman taking the blame for his failure as a public figure. Much like “Batman Begins”, this installment was complex, sharp and an all round entertainer.

Nolan announced that his final Batman film “The Dark Knight Rises” would be his last and was released in 2012, bringing Bale back for the last time, as the caped crusader. It has been 8 years since the occurrences of “The Dark Knight”; Bruce Wayne has noticeably become a recluse, the death of Rachel still haunting him and with everyone still mourning the passing of Harvey Dent (ignorant to his true nature) it seems it is up to Tom Hardy’s Bane to shake things up. Alongside Catwoman, the newly invigorated Batman must stop Talia Al Ghul (Marion Cotillard) and her terrifying plot to destroy Gotham with an atomic bomb. With some plot twists and visually impressive action sequences, introducing the new Batwing, the Dark Knight Rises rounds up the Trilogy most wholesomely and is my favorite of the three (mainly due to Anne Hathaway’s beautiful and mildly camp Catwoman).

After we had all taken a deep exhale upon finishing the Dark Knight Trilogy, Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel” was released in 2013. Where ” Man of Steel” is a background extravaganza for Superman, in the climactic battle that stretches into space, a satellite dish brandishing a familiar “Wayne Enterprises” logo is seen. It was no surprise that the follow up to “Man of Steel” would in fact feature a rebooted Batman.

“Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice” is to be released in 2016. Very little is known about it, just that it features Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, Lex Luthor and of course Batman and Superman themselves, with Daredevil veteran, Ben Affleck taking up the mantle of Caped Crusader. With a new suit and new batmobile already debuted in promotional images, it seems that instead of armour, the new suit is fabric; a homage to classic Batman. I do not know what this will bring, but I am incredibly excited for Superman and Batman’s first on screen meet up and it promises to be massive!

To all those who have read, I hope you have enjoyed and feel free to comment!

Read on and Prosper!

The Batman Begins Again Part 1

With a long awaited trailer for the new DC Superhero mega blockbuster “Batman VS Superman: Dawn of Justice” to make its debut come May 15th, I’ll be shedding a little insight on the Batmen of the past and the future.

“Batman Forever” hit cinemas the year I was born, so I have become accustomed to a more serious Batman. So when I start with the famous and brilliantly campy Adam West Batman, forgive me if I am slightly skeptical. “Shark repellent Batspray… Salt and corrosion; the infamous old enemies of a crime fighter… Let’s leave Robin,but inconspicuously; through the window…” How brilliant. Despite the ridiculous circumstances and over-theatrical nature of the show, the production value for a 1960’s TV show was undeniably impressive. If you want a good laugh and are familiar with the characters, then for sure, give it a watch!

Two decades rolled by before another live action Batman was seen again, this time in the guise of a black rubber suited Michael Keaton, in the 1989 smash “Batman”. Keaton brought a certain nature of seriousness and alongside Jack Nicholson’s outlandishly flamboyant Joker, the two bounced off each other in a way only the famous fictional duo can. Tim Burton’s movies certainly have a Gothic reputation and by this time, with the positive traction it received, worldwide audiences seemed to be ready to accept a more realistic caped crusader, despite keeping some of the less serious aspects of the 1966 Batman series I.E the close-ups and musical flick on the Batarangs.This film explored a darker side to Bruce Wayne, with a love interest in Vicky Vale (Kim Basinger) and still having to come to terms with the loss of his parents at a young age, while battling the psychotic Joker to save Gotham City.

The success of “Batman” of course heralded in a sequel with “Batman Returns”, bringing Keaton and Burton back to the franchise in 1992. Separating the “damsel in distress” theme of previous female leads (most notably Kim Basinger’s “Vicky Vale” in the 1989 “Batman”), Catwoman was born to Gotham, as a strong and powerful antagonist, portrayed by the talented Michelle Pfeiffer. Mixing it up, Burton brought in Danny Devito and his superb portrayal of the Penguin to initially team up with Catwoman in a villainous duo against Keaton’s Dark Knight. Now with Batman dealing with love in and outside the cowl, the Penguin attempts to go all Pied Piper on Gotham’s new born children in a far-fetched scheme of vengeance against Gotham City. I thought this film was much better than the previous, though some would disagree. I think it needed the dynamics of all three of the main characters to diversify the franchise further.

In 1995, came a Keaton and Burton-free portrayal of the rubber-clad avenger in “Batman Forever” with Val Kilmer leading. This is where many people believe that the Batman franchise, which had gained an impressive reputation with Burton’s Batman, began to go south. Joel Schumacher was hired to direct and take the wheel in forwarding Batman with a new batcave, larger and more practical, a new batmobile, sleeker and more agile and a new female lead as Bruce Wayne found himself once again being harassed by beautiful women. This time in the form of never before seen, Dr Chase Meridian played by Nicole Kidman. But apparently, with the two previous films holding Age 15 certificates, Gotham and it’s hero was not appealing enough to a younger audience and the attempts to make this happen are clearly evident in this film. It seemed Adam West’s Batman ways were back with a hilariously (albeit, impressively and entertainingly green pajama wearing) Jim Carrey as the Riddler and noticeably lighter and more insane, Two-Face played by Tommy Lee Jones. The huge stunts, brightly lit sets and over the top nature of this movie left a bad taste in many a critics mouth and it was unclear as what would happen to Batman next.

“Batman and Robin” hit the big screens in 1997 and was very recently voted the Worst Superhero Movie ever… wow; need I say more? George Clooney now donned the cape and cowl, accompanied by Chris O’Donnel’s Robin and Alicia Silverstone’s Batgirl, against the hugely over-dressed, pun spewing but ruthless Mr Freeze played by Arnold Schwarznegger. Mr Freeze embarks on a freezing spree in a noble effort to save his dying wife, but teams up with the stupidly camp and hammy, Poison Ivy (Uma Thurman) and her dim witted muscle, Bane (Jeep Swenson). Much like its predecessor, “Batman and Robin” was poorly written, had little character development for anyone and while the hugely elaborate set pieces, costumes and props looked spectacular, the movie flopped on all other levels. With a follow up film cancelled due to the poor reception of “Batman and Robin”, it seemed the world was beginning to lose patience for Batman and there seemed little hope left for the caped crusader.

That is… up until 2005…

I volunteer as tribute! Could you survive the Hunger Games?

“Now! The time has come for us to select one courageous man and woman for the honour of representing your district in the annual Hunger Games”! An extravagantly dressed lady stands before you, ascended on a stage in your District, plucking names from a fish bowl for those destined to live or die in the Hunger Games.

I assume for the readership, you all know the premise of the Hunger Games; as punishment for an insurrection and for the delight of an audience, two people are chosen from each district in a fictional land to fight to the death against one another. Your name is picked out and a spoken contract defines you as a representative, sealing your fate in the games.

Now, I am not sure how fans of the franchise or even those who happen to have seen the film/s as I have, actually feel about the basis of the Hunger Games but who in God’s name thinks that setting up a Gladiatorial arena where people brutally kill each other for other’s amusement is a good idea? Why wouldn’t there be a rebellion? How much power would a Government or authoritative figure have to force you to take part? It’s hard to believe the whole idea could be set up in the first place. It’s barbarism at it’s best but ridiculously, the concept is almost Big Brother-like? Maybe not the most appropriate analogy, but there are similarities with that in our own cultures and that of the fictional Hunger Games franchise.

If I had been chosen, and it was a water based environment setting, I’d be screwed as I can’t swim: DEAD! Chances are, the second you dash to the centre stage to collect your weaponry; there’ll be a slaughter: DEAD!
The human body can only survive so long without fresh water… I have no idea where to get that? DEAD!
I am, as an individual, quite physically fit? MAYBE NOT DEAD!
My chances aren’t looking good. What hope is there for anyone else? How did the young Katness Everdeen do it? The character appears remarkably basic for a strong and influential female icon she appears in the later stories of the Hunger Games.

Strategically and it begrudges me to say it, but I’d run and hide for a day or two, collecting water where possible and hopefully people would like me enough in the Capital that I’d be sponsored and sent helpful treats, before returning for my tools/weapons. So it’s not only a fight to the death, but a popularity contest too. As an individual, you are publicised and objectified and if the people like what they see, they can sponsor you. Hmmm… I’d have trouble not kicking up a fuss to those who are glorifying my predicament in the first place, let alone being groomed as this golden boy in hopes they help me out? Is that just my personal pride?

Admittedly, if I was forced into a situation where it was kill or be killed, I’d kill; that’s just basic Darwinism, but it’s the moral implications and the aftermath that’d rally screw me up. In the movie adaptations of the Hunger Games, Katness Everdeen has survivors guilt and frequent nightmares about her time in the arena; I am quite an empathetic person and can see that happening to me. So even if you somehow survive, the rest of your life is almost a punishment in itself. Great; this whole endeavour just doesn’t seem like a worthy investment.

Some aspects about the stories contained within the Hunger Games franchise appear realistic I.E the survivors guilt. Others; not so much I.E how even the youngest of contestants mercilessly slaughter others of similar ages and it appears, with ease. Have they practised breaking necks and severing skulls with massive swords before? I bet the estate agents don’t put that in their brochures when advertising District properties.

So how do you think you’d do in the arena? Could you survive the Hunger Games?
Thanks for tuning in; read on and prosper!

New Who at 10! How the journey through Time and Space has been for me!

Well… technically, the hit British science fiction drama “Doctor Who” is getting on for its 52nd year on and off screens, but it has been ten years this month that it was reintroduced to World wide audiences.

Christopher Eccleston headlined as the leather bound Ninth Doctor along with his pretty new companion Rose, played by peroxide enthusiast, Billie Piper. The first series alone saw the return of such classic monsters like the Autons, the Daleks and introduced to audiences, the charismatic and somewhat sexually charged Captain Jack Harkness played by John Barrowman, who proved so popular, he got his own spin-off: Torchwood. The first series was dark in tone, with quite emotionally deep, adult plots; London destroyed, Charles Dickens, the end of the World and a futuristic game show empire that saw the main source of entertainment as the pointless execution of innocent members of the public for the viewers pleasure. Yep! The Ninth Doctor’s time was certainly rocky.The modernized take on the classic show was a hit, with a second series commissioned almost straight away… But Chris Eccleston would not be returning… Oops.

After Chris Eccleston’s departure, a younger and more emotionally attuned Doctor, played by David Tennant, was introduced. Tennant would remain in the role he loved so much and to which everyone soon loved him for, from 2005-2010, along with a whole bunch of new companions such as the first black companion, Martha Jones played by Freema Agyeman. Donna Noble played by Catherine Tate; the first actress to play a main companion older than the actor portraying the Doctor, Wilfred Mott played by the always lovable Bernard Cribbins aswell as the return of Classic Who companion: Sarah Jane Smith. This sprightly Doctor would encounter Satan, Weeping Angels, Judoon, Giant Wasps along with returnees: Cybermen, Sontarans and of course, the Master!

These, for me, were the Whovian “Golden Years”, with each series from 2-4 becoming gradually stronger and more likable, across plots, characters and of course, monsters! Not only this, but with the success of it’s spin-off’s Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures it seemed the Whoniverse was expanding and seemed to be unstoppable. What I say next, may cause controversy, but hey! I’d love to hear what people have to say!

Soon, as David Tennant said farewell to his travels in time and space, we were all introduced to an even more youthful and animated Doctor, played by Matt Smith. Now under a new writer, the show took a more childlike approach, with story lines that you couldn’t really relate to, monsters and villains that didn’t feel as threatening and the Doctor’s new companions, Amy Pond and Rory Williams, portrayed by Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill, that stole the show. Don’t get me wrong; I have the box sets, I watch the DVD’s because Matt Smith as the 11th Doctor is irrefutably part of the shows ethos and now part of its history. So I ran with it; some stories I liked, some stories I didn’t, just like Tennant and Eccleston before him. I just found myself disliking the one’s I did find less desirable, alot less than those before.

With Smith seeing himself through two TARDIS consoles, a new Sonic Screwdriver, a wife in the form of the ambiguous and campy River Song, played by Alex Kingston and a mini team of alien misfits that contained a Silurian female, a human maid and a Sontaran nurse (WHY?!) Classic Who monsters were of course set to return. Ice Warriors, Zygons, newly designed Daleks (famously titled “Power Ranger Daleks” by their vibrant colours) as well as our first glimpse at the never before seen Time War, referenced throughout the Doctor Who mythology since it’s return in 2005, were all delivered to us in Smith’s turn as the Doctor. As his time came to a close as the Doctor, and with Matt Smith’s latest companion, Clara Oswald, acted rather well by Jenna Coleman, I was unsure as to whether it was a good thing or a bad thing? But to paraphrase the Tenth Doctor himself, Smith was starting to “look a bit tired”. It wasn’t until after he departed and I had time to re-watch his era on Who, I found myself actually missing his quirky enthusiasm and clown like ways but…

BANG! Just like that, the wonderfully talented Peter Capaldi burst onto our screens as the newly regenerated Twelfth Doctor; a considerably darker, emotionally detached and sleeker Time Lord. Fiercely intelligent and at many times uncharacteristically cold, Capaldi seemed to make Doctor Who what it had always been in the era of Classic Who: an old man with a younger female companion, going around the universe in a time machine, fighting monsters. I found it quite refreshing in comparison to the Smiths “everyone fancies him” Doctor. However, once the spot light had fleetingly been on this new take of the Time Lord, it seemed to sharply turn to Clara and her new boyfriend, Danny Pink played by Samuel Anderson. Naturally, the way we, as an audience, relate to these adventures is through the eyes of the human companion. That is our window into this imaginative world and I like that we can share these adventures almost side by side to these ordinary people… but the focal point is still the Doctor and what he does; every other episode, Clara would find herself in another moral dilemma as to either give up her time travelling adventures or to lie to Danny and continue. Series 8 lacked in the realism spectrum and I found myself saying “oh, look love, just go will you? Make up your damn mind”! (To this day, Clara is still aboard the TARDIS… so what does that say?) Introducing a new breed of Cybermen and a female Master, Capaldi’s first series shall not be one to forget in a good or bad way.

Doctor Who has certainly expanded greatly in it’s own little universe and whether we agree or disagree with some of the more distasteful changes, it seems it is here to stay and may I be the first to write: THANK YOU! Because I may complain about it, but it is a piece of my childhood that I cherish and I can’t wait to see where the creators take the Time Lord in the next ten years!

Read on and Prosper!

Read on and Prosper!

Star Wars. Harry Potter. Star Trek. Lord of the Rings. Marvel. DC; there are so many fan bases dedicated to all these amazing culture icons and I plan to be one for them all! This is where you can read reviews, news, opinions and generally fill all your geektastic cravings! Check me out on Twitter, Instagram and of course, right here! So stick along for the ride and wish me luck as we delve into the world that surrounds everything from the U.S.S Enterprise to Panem, from Gallifrey to Tatooine, Isla Nublar to Gotham and Hogwarts to the Daily Bugle!

Read on and Prosper!