“The Day of the Doctor” is a rare combination of theater release and TV special only used to full effect for special events, and the 50th anniversary of BBC’s “Doctor Who” deserved the full treatment.

I have to start this review off by saying that I’m a big fan of “Doctor Who,” and to get the most out of “The Day of the Doctor,” being a fan definitely helps. There are jokes and references all over the special concerning the Doctor’s past, so knowing the universe amplifies the experience.

The plot revolves around the current doctor, Matt Smith, experiencing a rift in time that brings him together with his previous incarnation, David Tennant, and a mysterious “hidden” past Doctor, John Hurt. Together, they travel across time to deal with a major event from their past while also hoping to take care of a shape shifting race of tentacle covered aliens trying to take over Britain.

This special is still clearly “Doctor Who,” so the aliens and effects are a little cheesy at times, but overall I was impressed. The theater release of the film was in 3-D, and I thought it was used effectively, especially concerning a painting of Gallifrey, the Doctor’s home planet. The special feels bigger and more epic than a standard episode. Most of the special effects looked good and it was clear that the extra budget helped.

As a fan, I thought the special did a good job at clearing up past events, especially the Time War. In the past, this event was rarely seen but often talked about, so it was good too see some clarification on what actually happened. I also appreciated how they explored the character of the Doctor and the effect of his actions. The show was originally made for children, but the special makes it clear that the show has evolved and become a lot more complicated since it’s humble beginnings.

Overall, I really enjoyed “The Day of the Doctor.” There was a lot of fanservice but not enough to eclipse the well-written story and interesting set pieces. For many Whovians, just seeing David Tennant back in the TARDIS makes the special worth a watch. For everyone else, the special is accessible enough to enjoy without being intimidated by the “Doctor Who” lore.

4/5