Doctor Who: Lux Review - 6 Ups & 4 Downs

10. UP - Mr Ring-A-Ding

Traditionally, Doctor Who monsters are actors in rubber suits, actors inside metal cans, or actors in motion capture suits. So it felt brand new and exciting to see Mr Ring-a-Ding, a traditional, hand-drawn animated character. Director Amanda Brotchie has a real sense of space, and perfectly manages the eyelines, allowing the Doctor, Belinda and Reginald to interact with Ring-a-Ding in a way that feels naturally fluid.

Mr Ring-a-Ding's hand-drawn animation is key to the monstrous transformation in the climax. As he saps the Doctor's regeneration energy to become three dimensional, Ring-a-Ding loses all the charm of the 2D version, becoming a bloated, empty caricature. It's a subtle but brilliant commentary on so many lifeless CGI "upgrades" of beloved two-dimensional cartoon characters over the years.

Alan Cumming is unrecognisable as the voice of Mr Ring-a-Ding, really giving it his all as the all-singing all-dancing... pig... man... pig man? Cumming also balances comedy and menace brilliantly, making Ring-a-Ding a unique and unforgettable villain.

The only downside is that a lot of money clearly went into Mr Ring-a-Ding, meaning that other elements are less well-realised...