Doctor Who : Voyage of the Damned [2007] - DVD (David Tennant, Kylie Minogue, Geoffrey Palmer, Clive Swift - Dir: James Strong)

The 2007 Christmas special of Doctor Who, Voyage of the Damned is a rip-roaring, hugely entertaining adventure, whose pace, energy and ambition plasters over its undeniable cracks.

With David Tennant in the title role, and Doctor Who fan Kylie Minogue stepping into the role of his assistant, Astrid, the adventure picks up where the third series of the programme ended: with the Titanic crashing into the Tardis.

With the loose ends quickly resolved, Voyage of the Damned soon picks up its key threads. There's a futuristic Titanic spaceship, a cast of space tourists (with recognisable names from British television, such as Clive Swift and Geoffrey Palmer), and inevitably, impending disaster.

Voyage of the Damned then manages to inject fast action, better-than-expected special effects, and a surprisingly high body count. It's got cracks in its setup, and isn't bereft of flaws (not least a slightly inflated running time), but it is a whole lot of fun, and a great improvement on the previous year's special, The Runaway Bride. It's good, too, that in spite of Kylie Minogue's star billing, her character isn't allowed to dominate the story, and as a result she turns in good work, holding her own in an impressive cast.

In all, Voyage of the Damned is a fun, rewatchable adventure, with plenty in the tank to keep you entertained. Definitely worth picking up. --Simon Brew

Customer Reviews of Doctor Who : Voyage of the Damned [2007]

K. Atkins
East Lansing, MI USA
18th November 2008

Unhappy American
I live in the United States...and couldn't find any of the Christmas specials sold individually here. So imagine how ecstatic I was to discover that I could purchase them even if they're from the UK. So I place my order and wait excitedly....only to realize that when I popped it into my DVD player, that it was incompatible. Why was there no warning to Americans? I understand that this is Amazon.uk...but still, there ought to be a warning telling Americans like me that these DVDs won't work with American equipment. I feel cheated and now there is no way I can send these DVDs back.

gheedon
Berlin, Germany
1st November 2008

Fun
This episode is, by and large, a typical Davies production: witty, funny, full of adventure, and yes, full of holes. It's good fun to watch, the special effects are good and Kylie Minogue a great addition to the cast. Overall very enjoyable, which is what counts.

Kyle Scott
UK
18th July 2008

BEST EP EVER!!!
Il make this short and sweat, the best ep ever in the 45 yr run of doctor who amazing, a brill stroy line. Kylie as new comapnion Astrid is amazing and its a shame she was killed off in a heartbreakin scence of new who. Alot of people dont like this ep, dont listen to them RTD is such a great writer and it a shame he leaving, im a 15 year old boy and i loved this a 100% Buy Buy it now!!!

S. P. Northwood
London, England
22nd June 2008

Does what it says on the box.
This is a Christmas episode. It is written specifically to keep the kids happy Christmas evening while the parents tidy up the wrapping paper.
It does just that.

No, it's not the best episode of Doctor Who.
No, the story won't change your life or your view of the world.
No, Kylie isn't the best Companion ever to be on the show.
But yes, it WILL keep you entertained for the duration.

If you have kids they'll love it.
If you are an old-school fan the buy it for the 'Time Crash' special.

scifihorror fan
Cornwall,UK
11th June 2008

tis the season to be...SCARY!!!
a classic doctor who episode that entertains on all different levels.
fab acting(as always)by David Tennant,and Kylie is great as Astrid and there is a great rappor of a supporting cast,with plenty well knowns that i'm sure you will recognise...it's nice to see Debbie Chazen in a programme worthy of her comedic talent(Tittybangbang...!?!?!).
the host are very eerie and are classic foes for the doctor to face...the story moves at a franatic pace and'although no plotline' it is a great christmas special and found it to be just as (if not more)entertaining than previous years and provides one of the most laughable villains in the history of the show...nevertheless it is a fantastic episode and makes a great start to the amazing fourth series(the best series so far!!)the effects are fab the cast are great and makes it recommended viewing for everyone...and in many ways an epic tale filled with scares entertainment and action aplenty.
a classic episode and above many previous episodes that should never...ever be underestimated.
it is a lot better than the remake of Poseidon (trust me!!!)and very effective.
hopefully this will become part of the complete fourth series boxset due out later this year!!!
if not i will have to buy serparately.
i dare docxmas special 2008 to be better than this(i doubt it but i could be proved wrong).:)