GODZILLA x KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE REVIEW

Tags

Adam Wingard, Godzilla, Godzilla Minus One, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire film review\, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire review, King Kong, King of the Monsters, Kong, Monsterverse, Mothra, Skar King

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

Review by Paul Bowler

Get set for another monster smackdown with Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, the latest entry in the Monsterverse franchise. This blockbusting sequel follows on from the explosive showdown in 2021’s Godzilla vs Kong with an adventure that pits the mighty primate Kong and the titanic apex predator Godzilla against a deadly new threat hidden deep within the Earth itself – one that will challenge both their existence and our own! This new chapter of the Monsterverse delves even further into the vast histories of these mighty Titans, exploring their origins, as well as the mysteries which forged these incredible beings and ultimately bound them to humanity forevermore.

Make no mistake, the titans are the stars in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire! This sequel delivers another thunderous face-off of epic proportions between Godzilla and Kong, continuing Legendary’s Monstervese that began with 2014’s Godzilla and 2017’s Kong Skull Island, before setting these alpha titans on a destructive collision course with Godzilla Vs Kong and now culminating in Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. So, seeing how Kong and Godzilla eventually saw these cinematic behemoths set aside their differences to battle Mechagodzilla in Godzilla Vs Kong, it was perhaps inevitable director Adam Wingard would take these two iconic monster movie franchises the next level by making Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire the ultimate monster team-up!

Yes, rivals become more like tag-team buddies in Wingard’s unashamedly spectacular over-the-top sequel Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, which has our titular titans confronted by the power-mad super-ape Skar King, who seeks to escape the confines the uncanny Hollow Earth biome to unleash havoc on the surface world. The digital special effects action is off the scale, perhaps excessively so at some points, but there is no denying the spectacle of it all is breathtaking. The colossal onslaught of the monster showdowns hardly lets up for a moment, with landmarks such as the Colosseum in Rome, the Egyptian pyramids and the statue of Christ the Redeemer are all being decimated or swept aside in the CGI carnage, with humanity very much becoming the endangered species as the battles rage on. 

This sequel is still great fun and pure popcorn fodder; plain and simple. The plot is serviceable enough, if a bit ramshackle in places, but it does what it says on the tin and the monsters definitely get the major share of the screen time this time around. As for the human cast, well, what there is of it gets sidelined in all the monster mayhem really. Sure, we have Jia (Kaylee Hottle) who has a unique bond with Kong and now lives with her adopted mother (a returning Rebecca Hall). Hall is perhaps the best served as the exposition delivering Doctor Ilene Andrewsin, while Dan Stevens and a returning Brian Tyree Henry both get lumbered with the comedy moments. 

If you’re looking for the same impactful examination of the human lives caught up in the monster action like the Japanese blockbuster Godzilla Minus One, I’m afraid you’ll find none of that here. By comparison Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is a sensational monster mash that doesn’t pull any punches, but it doesn’t give a jot about characterisation or any semblance of plot that gets crushed underfoot either.

Follow @paul_bowler

About The Author

Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS5. You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook

DOCTOR WHO: NEW SEASON 1 TRAILER!

Tags

15th Doctor, Doctor Who, Doctor Who Season 1, Doctor Who series 1, fifteenth Doctor, Millie Gibson, Ncuti Gatwa, New Doctor Who Trailer, Ruby Sunday, TARDIS

We’re going to rock though time! The latest trailer for showrunner Russell T. Davies and series stars Ncuti Gatwa (Fifteenth Doctor) & Millie Gibson‘s (Ruby Sunday) brand new series of new Doctor Who adventures has arrived. Check out the new DOCTOR WHO Season 1 Trailer!

The new season of Doctor Who premieres on BBC iPlayer in the UK 11th May and Disney+ 10th May

(Images Belong BBC / Disney)

Follow @paul_bowler

About The Author

Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS5. You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook

DUNE PART 2 FILM REVIEW

Tags

Arrakis, Austin Butler, Barron Harhonnen, Denis Villeneuve, Dune, Dune Part 2, Dune Part 2 film review, Frank Herbert, Fremen, Harkonnen, Paul Atreides, Sandworms, Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya

Dune Part 2 Film Review

Review by Paul Bowler

Denis Villeneuve’s Dune Part 2 continues the award-winning directors adaptation of Frank Herbert’s acclaimed sci-fi novel, Dune, with this stunning sequel. Dune Part One’s epic deep dive into the arid world of Arrakis and its desert-dwelling people the Fremen set the scene, and now  with Dune Part 2 we will witness the ascension of their prophesied messiah – Timothée Chalamet’s enigmatic Paul Atreides. Picking up directly from the somewhat abrupt ending to the first film, Dune Part 2 charts the rise of Paul Atreides to power as leader of the Fremen and inspires an army to strike back against the evil Harkonnen forces who attacked House Atreides in the first chapter.

Timothée Chalamet’s performance as Paul Atreides is outstanding, and the refined nuances he brings to the character this time around as we watch him grow into the fabled warrior leader of the Fremen people is mesmerising to behold. Indeed, Paul finds his calling in the desert, and eventually becomes every bit the formidable fighter the Fremen prophesied. 

As well as teaming up with the Fremen of Arrakis, including Fremen leader Stilgar (Javier Bardem), who believes Paul could be the ‘Lisan al-Gaib’, a fabled prophet in their religion), Paul also grows closer romantically to the warrior Chani (Zendaya), Paul’s mother Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson) has sworn vengeance against Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard), the grotesque leader of House Harkonnen responsible for the death of Paul’s father, Duke Leto Atreides (Oscar Isaac, from Part 1), and Josh Brolin returns as Gurney Halleck, the grizzled former military leader of House Atreides and Paul’s mentor who survived the Harkonnen invasion of Arrakis. With the Harkonnen stranglehold on Arrakis slipping the scheming Barron enlists his ferocious nephew Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler), the younger brother of Dave Bautista’s Glossu brutish Rabban, to kill Paul Atreides and secure Arrakis’ precious spice reserves for the Harkonnen’s once and for all. 

Dune Part 2 features a wealth of new cast members: including Lea Seydoux as a mysteriously powerful Bene Gesserit, Christopher Walken as the all-powerful emperor, and Florence Pugh as his daughter Princess Irulen. The standout addition to the cast though is Austin Butler, whose performance as the psychotic Feyd-Rautha is genuinely chilling, and this ruthless enforcer delights in tormenting and stalking his foes. 

Everything builds towards Feyd-Rautha’s showdown with Paul during third act, where the heir to the Harkonnen empire squares off against Paul in a dazzlingly choreographed fight sequence that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Dune: Part Two is even grander in scope and scale than the first movie. Villeneuve masterfully directs with board strokes from the canvas of the screenplay co-written with Jon Spaihts, based on Herbert’s novel, to craft a vast, sweeping epic with Dune Part 2 that expands on the narrative of the first film on practically every level. The sandbox of quasi-religious iconography and political allegory resonates even more powerfully than the first instalment. Greig Fraser’s stunning cinematography and Patrice Vermette’s incredible production vividly gives the Dune saga a suitably otherworldly feel, with its harsh environments gloriously awash with endless deserts, huge coliseums, uncanny spaceships and jaw-dropping sunsets. Villeneuve brings a stark visual clarity to every scene,  crisp in detail, rich in characterisation, breathtakingly intense battle sequences are up-close and personal, the sandworms are an increasingly majestic presence throughout and Hans Zimmer’s rousing score punctuates every narrative beat perfectly. 

Director Denis Villeneuve’s visionary approach to bringing Herbert’s classic novel to the screen is profound, the weightier themes are sublimely handled, while character arcs meticulously interspace the bombastic set-pieces as the world building and visual flare Villeneuve wields puts Dune Part 2 right up there amongst the greatest sci-fi sequels of all time. 

With a run time of 168 minutes, the film is available in both the regular and IMAX formats. There are spectacles of awe inspiring set-pieces that are a seamless fusion of digital magic with practical effects and stunts. No expense seems to have been spared on the  production design and huge battle sequences either. Dune Part 2 is cinematic beast of a movie that’s truly worthy of being seen on the big screen; where moments like the hazardous Fremen attempt to sabotage spice harvesting machinery and the highly anticipated scene were Chalamet’s fugitive Paul Atreides finally rides a sandworm across the dunes pf Arrakis provide adrenaline pumping high-drama. Paul Atreides’ mythic journey in Dune Part 2 ultimately sees him embrace his destiny as the Fremans chosen one and as the conflict races towards its conclusion their revenge against the Harkonnen’s brings a heartrending choice to advert a future that only Paul’s spice-visions can foresee. 

If you were swept up in the drama of 2021’s first instalment, prepare to be blown away by the explosive desert warfare on display in this blockbusting sequel. With so much story to cram in Dune Part 2 hits the ground running and doesn’t let up for a moment. Denis Villeneuve’s dedication and skill in brining Herbert’s novel to the big screen by splitting it across two movies is a phenomenal achievement. Even so, there is undeniably a middle chapter vibe about to this film that will leave you wanting more – especially given a wacky plot thread involving a psychic foetus that ominously builds as events unfold. Fingers crossed the much mooted third movie set around the sequel novel Dune Messiah gets the green light and makes this a proper trilogy. Nevertheless, Dune Part 2 provides an exhilarating finale to the story arcs established in the first film and fans are sure to enjoy their return to Arrakis  for this exceptional sequel.

Follow @paul_bowler

About The Author

Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS5. ou can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook

BATMAN SKETCH

Tags

Batman, Batman art, Batman fan art, DC Comcis, Fan Art, The Batman, The Dark Knight

Thought I’d share this Batman drawing I did over the weekend. Batman has always been a favourite comic book character of mine, so I did this piece as I whiled away a lazy Sunday afternoon. This is the time of the week I like to draw or paint the most as I find it very relaxing. It’s been great to make these art posts a more regular feature on my blog alongside my usual reviews of films, tv and comic books. Thank you so much for all the encouragement you’ve given me and I look forward to sharing more with you soon.

Follow @paul_bowler

About The Author

Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS5. ou can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook

GREEN LANTERN #8 REVIEW

Tags

Blue Lanterns, comic reviews, comics, DC Comics, Green lantern #8, Green Lantern #8 review, Green Lantern.Hal Jordan, Jeremy Adams, Kilowag, Kyle Rayner, Razor, Ron Marz

Green Lantern #8 Review

Review by Paul Bowler.

In the aftermath of discovering what led to the death of Kilowag, Green Lantern #8 sees Hal Jordan’s adventures taking an even bolder direction. DC Comics Green Lantern is really hitting its stride now with this latest issue. Jeremy Adam’s writing has already firmly reestablished Hal’s life back on Earth as both a pilot and a Green Lantern. Now with the welcome addition of Razer (from the Green Lantern Animated Series which ran for one season) the spotlight falls on the emotional spectrum of the Blue Lanterns once more, and there’s also the growing menace of the United Planets consolidating their power via insidious means.

Adam’s uses this break in the action between story arcs to great effect with this issue. We get to observe the fate of Odium, the destruction of the Blue Power Battery, the implications for the Emotional Spectrum, and the aggressive power grabs of the United Planets are making across the cosmos. At the heart of it all is the complicated.relationship between Hal and Carol Ferris, who was once a Star Sapphire herself, and I’m excited to see how Adam’s will continue to build on her role moving forward. 

Guest artist Amancay Nahuelpan works with colorist Romulo Fajardo Jr. to bring a vibrant and concise rendering of events for an issue crammed full of explosive devastation, emotional turmoil and in-your-face action. With the Guardians gone, Earth’s sector quarantined by the United Planets and Hal’s new ring seemingly preventing him from leaving Earth things are compounded even further when members of the United Planets Corps ambush Green Lantern and Razer!

The back up story is a pure nostalgia trip for fans as Ron Mars and Dale Eaglesham deliver up a heartfelt adventure with Kyle Rayner. Kyle has always been my favourite Green Lantern, sorry Hal, and seeing a story framed around the earlier times of Kyle’s tenure as Green Lantern was a pure delight. Kyle’s heart-to-heart with his former love, Alex De Witt – a construct crafted by his own power ring – allowed for a nostalgic trip down memory lane, while also broadening the scope and scale of everything being set up in the main storyline. 

It’s a great time to be a Green lantern fan right now. This new series has diligently focused on everything that makes the character so special. Green Lantern #8 is certainly a good jumping on point as it bridges two story arcs so seamlessly, and it also highlights a creative team that’s firing on all cylinders. The narrative in this issue offers tantalising hints perhaps of what’s still to come, especially the clock face on the cover, so  with the 30th anniversary of Kyle Rayner and having Ron Marz back for his back-up story and a green tinged mystical explanation about Hal’s new ring about to be unveiled we have potential game-changing events waiting in the wings as well!

Publisher DC Comics

Writers: Jeremy Adams, and Ron Marz

Artists: Amancay Nahuelpan and  Dale Eaglesham

Colorist: Romulo Fajaroo JR. and Alex Cuimaraes 

Cover Artist: Steve Beach 

Follow @paul_bowler

About The Author

Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS5. You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE FIRST TRAILER!

Tags

Deadpool, Deadpool & Wolverine, DEADPOOl & WOLVERINE FIRST TRAILER!, Deadpool & Wolverine teaser trailer, Deadpool & Wolverine treailer, Deadpool 3, Deadpool and Wolverine, Hugh Jackman, MCU, Ryan Reynolds, Wolverine

Marvel studios have realised the first trailer for the hotly-anticipated Deadpool 3 during the 2024 Super Bow. The film will finally see Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) officially integrated into the existing Marvel Cinematic Universe! The trailer teases an epic fight, new villains and big amount of multiverse style madness for us to look forward to.!

The debut of this trailer also reveals that the official title for Deadpool 3, which hits cinemas on July 26th 2024, will be Deadpool & Wolverine, which no doubt makes perfect sense really given that Hugh Jackman is returning as Wolverine. Deadpool & Wolverine was directed by Shawn Levy, who also co-wrote the script with Reynolds, Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, and Zeb Wells.

Follow @paul_bowler

About The Author

Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS5. You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook

ROM THE ORIGINAL MARVEL YEARS REVIEW

Tags

Bill Mantlo, Dire Weaiths, Marvel, Parker Brothers, Rom, ROM The Original Marvel Years, ROM The Original Marvel Years review, Rom The Spaceknight, Sal Buscema., X-Men

ROM The Original Marvel Years

Review by Paul Bowler

The long awaited ROM The Original Marvel Years collection is finally here at last! This first volume of the space knights adventures is a beautifully assembled edition that will begin the reprinting of the entire ROM comic run for the first time! Of course ROM The Space Knight originally debuted as an electronic robot toy in 1979 from Parker Brothers, although the toy itself wasn‘t that well received, it would go on to inspire and gain unprecedented success in comic form in the 1980’s when Marvel produced their ROM comic book series – beginning with ROM #1 (December 1979) by the legendary team of Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema. 

At the time of ROM’s inception, Marvel was looking to build on the huge success of their licensed Star Wars comic series; which also conceded with Parker Brothers aiming to launch ROM as both a toy and a comic simultaneously. ROM ’s adventures and battles against the evil Dire Wraiths ran for 75 issues, earning a dedicated fan base, and it remains one of the most beloved and fondly remembered comic book series of the 80’s. Various rights issues have since sadly scuttled any attempts to reprint the original run, condemning ROM to limbo for decades, until now!

Now ROM’s iconic original adventures are presented in this deluxe omnibus allowing long-term fans and a whole new germination to enjoy a halcyon era of when the Marvel Universe received a visit from a gleaming cyborg from outer space – ROM the greatest of Spaceknights! Having pledged his life to protect his planet, Galador, ROM became a cyborg to protect his people from the evil Dire Wraiths. Now, ROM has tracked these vile shape-shifting creatures across the universe to Earth, where they have infiltrated the highest echelons of power – including S.H.I.E.L.D! Armed with his energy analyser, the only way ROM can see the Wraiths’ true form – and his neutralizer, that can blast them into Limbo, ROM is feared by the authorities who perceive  him as an alien invader, but fortunately there are some humans he meets who will go on to become some of ROM’s closest friends and allies. ROM’s quest will see him encounter the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, Jack of Hearts, Nova, and Power Man and Iron Fist, and when Galactus sets his sights on Galador, Rom and his fellow Spaceknights must fight to save their homeworld! 

I was a huge fan of ROM comics as a kid, I still cherish those comics and the happy memories they hold for me. Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema created an amazing and enduring legacy with ROM, and this omnibus collecting: Rom (1979) #1-29 and Power Man and Iron Fist (1978) #73 is like a huge nostalgic trip down memory lane for me. I’m overjoyed to  see ROM reprinted at long last, these were the comics that helped forge my life-long love of comic books, and I look forward to seeing the rest of the ROM series appearing in this deluxe format.  

Follow @paul_bowler

About The Author

Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook

DOCTOR WHO ICE WARRIOR SKETCH

Tags

60's Doctor Who, Doctor Who, Doctor Who art, Fan Art, Ice Warrior, Ice Warrior sketch, Ice Warriors, Sketch, The Ice Warriors

Here’s a Doctor Who sketch I did over the weekend of an Ice Warrior. I enjoy drawing the classic Doctor Who monster so much, especially from the 60’s era of the show. I tried to make this Ice Warrior look powerful and menacing as it emerges from the shadows. I’ve had such a fantastic response to all the sketches I’ve been posting, I can’t thank you all enough. Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year, we had family visiting, and it was lovely to spend time with them over the holidays. I hope you enjoy this sketch, and thank you so much for all your encouragement!

Follow @paul_bowler

About The Author

Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook

DOCTOR WHO 2023 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL THE CHURCH ON RUBY ROAD REVIEW

Tags

15th Doctor, bbc, David Tennant, Davina McCall, Doctor Who, DOCTOR WHO 2023 CHRISTMAS SPECIAL THE CHURCH ON RUBY ROAD REVIEW, Doctor Who Christmas Special, Millie Gibson, Ncuti Gatwa, Ruby Sunday, TARDIS, television, The Church on Ruby Road

Doctor Who 2023 Christmas Special: The Church on Ruby Road

Review by Paul Bowler

Get set for a festive treat with the Doctor Who 2023 Christmas Special: The Church on Ruby Road. Yes, the fifteenth Doctor Ncuti Gatwa’s first adventure sees him take over the TARDIS and be joined by new travelling companion Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson. The Church on Ruby Road provides a magical new beginning for the series, one filled with goblins and mystery as the Time Lord and his new sidekick discover a unique bond that will entwine their fates forever more.

On a snowy Christmas Eve, long ago, a woman abandoned  a newborn baby girl on the steps of a church. Now, years later, foundling Ruby Sunday is trying to reconnect with her birth parents via Davina McCall’s TV show, but her life will soon be turned upside down again at Christmas time as she meets the Doctor! Up until now, Ruby’s life has been full of bad luck,  which escalates when the baby she’s minding for her foster mother suddenly vanishes. When the Doctor bursts into Ruby’s life they embark on a adventure surrounding the mystery of stollen babies, leading to an encounter with a mythical goblin king, and finally uncovering the heartrending secret of Ruby’s own birth. 

The fifteenth Doctor and Ruby make a wonderful team right from the outset, the chemistry between Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson lights up every scene, and this Christmas Special written by show runner Russel T Davies and slickly directed by Mark Tonderai gives them a fantastic starting point on which to build as they embark on their new adventures in the TARDIS. Tondera also helmed Rosa, one of the standout episodes of Doctor Who’s previous era, and The Church on Ruby Road is every bit as thoughtful an exploration of a deeply emotive subject matter. Russel T Davies continues his reseting of the Doctor Who mythos with this Christmas Special, crafting a perfect jumping on point for new viewers in very much in the same way as his phenomenal 2005 revival Rose did back in the day. Incidentally this is also the first Doctor Who episode to air on Christmas Day since 2017’s Twice Upon a Time (the final outing of Peter Capaldi’s 12th Doctor), and only the second post regeneration Christmas Special since David Tennant’s first story: The Christmas Invasion (2005).

Millie Gibson is a pure joy to behold in the role of Ruby, she has all the hallmarks of a classic companion, and you will immediately take Ruby Sunday to your heart. Gatwa totally make the role of the Doctor his own right from the outset. His charismatic Doctor feels footloose and fancy free, there’s no baggage to drag him down, only warmth, style and fun. He’s even got a nifty new sonic screwdriver and some hand high-tech gloves as well. Ruby and the 15th Doctor make a perfect team, the chemistry between them positively sparkles, and the fact they are both foundlings brings an added poignancy to their friendship. If anything Russel T Davies is doubling down on the Timeless Child aspects of the Chibnall era with this episode, and it imbues the Doctor and Ruby with a bond unlike anything we’ve seen the Time Lord have in common with a travelling  companion before. What’s established here makes them a perfect new TARDIS team for this new era of Doctor Who.

Also appearing in this festive special are It’s a Sin actress Michelle Greenidge, as Ruby’s mum Carla, her grandmother Cherry, played by Eastenders’ Angela Winter, and Anita Dobson as nosey neighbour Mrs Flood. There’s also a special cameo from Davina McCall playing as herself from an episode of Long Lost Family, this isn’t Davina’s first credit on Doctor Who either, she previously voiced the Davinadroid, for a futuristic Big Brother house in the episode Bad Wolf from Christopher Eccleston’s series back in 2005.

The Church on Ruby Road is easily up there with the very best of the past Doctor Who Christmas Specials. It’s a festive adventure which blends elements of a certain Christmas Classic, along with undertones of the fantasy film Labryinth and just a pinch of Gremlins thrown in for good measure. So with the wonderful pairing of Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor and Gibson’s new companion, the Church on Ruby Road takes us on a wild, fun-filled, emotional rollercoaster ride that has our leads soaring across the sky on a ladder hanging beneath a galleon Goblin ship, with action galore, and even musical number to enjoy. The episodes quirky blend of magic and fantasy clearly sets the tone for what’s to come and a post credits scene teases the mystery of Mrs Flood’s true identity…

With this Doctor Who Christmas Special show runner Russel T Davies has successful caught lightning in a bottle for a second time! This reset of our beloved 60 year old show now hurtles towards its very own “season one”, with new Doctor Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson’s companion Ruby Sunday ready to start the legend anew for  2024 in the TARDIS.

Happy Christmas everyone! 

 (Images: BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/Disney)

Follow @paul_bowler

About The Author

Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website,, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook

DOCTOR WHO THE GIGGLE REVIEW

Tags

14th Doctor, 60th Anniversary, Bonnie Langford, Catherine Tate, Celestial Toymaker, David Tennant, Doctor Who, Doctor Who 60, Doctor Who The Giggle, Donna Noble, Jemma Redgrave, Kate Stewart, Mel, Ncuti Gatwa, Neil Patrick Harris, TARDIS, The Church on Ruby Road, The Giggle Review, The Toymaker, UNIT

Doctor Who The Giggle

Review by Paul Bowler

The final 60th anniversary Doctor Who Special, The Giggle, sees the Doctor (David Tennant) and Donna (Catherine Tate) return to Earth to find a mysterious puppet is driving the entire human race to the brink of insanity. With the fate of the world teetering on the brink, the Doctor finds himself rendered powerless when his old foe, the Toymaker, played by American star of stage and screen, Neil Patrick Harris, returns and the Doctor realises this is a fight he can never win.

The Giggle, written by Russel T Davies and directed by Chanya Button, is a thrilling hour-long finale to the anniversary specials, and this time the stakes are higher than ever before. The sheer scope and scale of the Toymaker’s power is terrifying as he literally pulls the strings and makes the world and everything in it dance to his tune. David Tennant and Catherine Tate once more take centre stage as the Doctor and Donna step into a world gone mad. The Toymaker has been lurking on Earth since 1925, the time has come for the final game against the Time Lord,  and the ongoing mystery of why Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor regenerated into David Tennant’s familiar face will finally be revealed in then most moving way imaginable.

It seems the superstition the Doctor invoked in Wild Blue Yonder at the edge of the universe allowed the Toymaker to break into reality, and using the inception of televisions first image he has drawn the Doctor into his cosmic trap. Indeed, the return of the Toymaker makes for an epic face-off with the 14th Doctor, in more ways than one! The Giggle is a far darker adventure than the previous specials, with the Toymaker’s designs drawing out a warped social commentary of recent times like poison from a wound. The Doctor and Donna are soon reunited with UNIT as they rally against this toxic environment the Toymaker has stoked. Nightmarish scenarios must be faced, with a deadly game of hide and seek, and a genuinely disturbing puppet reminiscent of Saw’s own Jigsaw puppet turning the world upside down.

This special features an impressive guest cast which includes Yasmin Finney as Rose, the daughter of Donna Noble, Donna’s mother Sylvia played by Jacqueline King, with Karl Collins as Donna’s husband, Shaun, along with the Doctor’s UNIT pals Kate Lethbridge Stewart (Jemma Redgrave), new scientific advisor Shirley Bingham (Ruth Madeley) and Bonnie Langford as Melanie “Mel” Bush who having returned to Earth is also now working with UNIT at their impressive new Avengers Tower style HQ. Charlie De Melo also stars as Charles Banerjee, John Mackay plays John Logie Baird (the Scottish engineer and inventor known as ‘The Father of Television), and Alexander Devrient is Colonel Lbrahim.

Neil Patrick Harris gives a magnificent performance as the Toymaker, one of the Doctor’s oldest foes, who now returns with a new face and an old score to settle. Of course the Toymaker was originally played by renowned actor Michael Gough, who first played the role of the Toymaker    to oppose William Hartnell’s first Doctor  in the 1966 story The Celestial Toymaker. The luxurious robes and celestial prefix may have gone but this is still very much the classic villain of old. Neil Patrick Harris exudes sinister menace throughout, bringing a creepy spin to the role, and the Toymakers games as he clashes with the Doctor are every bit as fiendish as ever.

Ultimately though it is Tennant and Tate’s performances gives the episode even greater depth and clarity. There is a real sense that the Doctor has been completely outwitted this time,  the Time Lords panic and frustration is almost palpable, but it is always Donna that gets him back on an even keel. Being the culmination of the 60th anniversary there are of course a wealth of callbacks and visual clues to the show’s past for fans to enjoy.

Russell T Davies essentially crafts a whole new Doctor Who mythology with The Giggle as the Toymaker’s scheming ultimately ends up conjoining the fourteenth and fifteenth Doctor’s incarnations – weaving an almost multiverse-like perspective into the very history of the series itself. The Toymaker, having previously played one game against Hartnell’s first Doctor, now plays another with the fourteenth, only to be confounded on the cusp of victory as Tennant’s Doctor fails to change mid-regeneration and ends up standing alongside his new Fifteenth incarnation: Ncuti Gatwa! Together they team-up against the Toymaker, turning the tables to win the game, and vanquish him once more. 

With the two Doctor’s now co-existing in unison a nostalgia filled coda culminates with fifteen claiming his prize for winning the game, a new, second TARDIS! As the fourteenth Doctor remains with Donna to take a break with her family, the fifteenth Doctor departs in his TARDIS for new adventures in time and space. Russell T Davies doubles down on the core mythos and widens the scope of Doctor Who in one few swoop with this startling conclusion. I expect Tennant’s bi-generation into Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor might prove a step too far for some die-hard fans,  however,  I for one  found it an innovative and fascinating move and look forward to seeing the amazing potential of this move unfold. 

For the most part this trilogy of Doctor Who Specials has been a resounding success. The return of David Tennant and Catherine Tate was a masterstroke that delivered on every level, and  Russel T Davies has certainly done a fantastic job in rejuvenating the series like never before. The Giggle proved a fitting finale and set us on the path to the 2023 Christmas Special: The Church on Ruby Road where Gatawa’s fifteenth Doctor will be joined by new travelling companion Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson. Here’s to a bold new era of adventures in time and space. Roll on Christmas!

Follow @paul_bowler

About The Author

Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook

 (Image: BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/Disney)