Review of both parts:
It is true to say that this is somewhat derivative of Stephen King's 'IT' but I do not see that as a negative. Doctor Who classics have often derived ideas from classic scifi or horror - Brain of Morbius = Frankenstein, Dalek Invasion of Earth = War of the Worlds, The Ice Warriors & Seeds of Doom = The Thing from Another World etc etc. All films and TV tend to borrow aspects from others and this borrows aspects of IT but presents them in a clever, effective way that works for an under 18 audience but is properly scary and disturbing.
It is wonderfully surprising that Russell T Davies and the team were brave enough to make Sarah Jane Adventures scary and in fact I find when watching it with my children there are more Sarah Jane episodes that are 'hide behind the sofa' scary than Doctor Who! Interesting and thrilling to get material that is creepy and challenging. I love the horror aspects of Doctor Who and love when Sarah Jane ventures quite often into that territory. This is very successful in doing that.
We get future Doctor Who companion Bradley Walsh putting in a great turn as villainous clown/circus master/pied piper and the idea of it actually works better than it does in Stephen King's filmed versions of IT. Both IT films have great beginnings and creepiness but veer into unconvincing supernatural plots in my opinion. This plot is more convincing and clever and it is only held back by the need to be suitable for a family audience. The teenage aspects and humour distract from the horror for an adult seeking scares but are necessary for the target audience.
This is a very strong adventure.
My ratings: Both parts - 9/10.
It is true to say that this is somewhat derivative of Stephen King's 'IT' but I do not see that as a negative. Doctor Who classics have often derived ideas from classic scifi or horror - Brain of Morbius = Frankenstein, Dalek Invasion of Earth = War of the Worlds, The Ice Warriors & Seeds of Doom = The Thing from Another World etc etc. All films and TV tend to borrow aspects from others and this borrows aspects of IT but presents them in a clever, effective way that works for an under 18 audience but is properly scary and disturbing.
It is wonderfully surprising that Russell T Davies and the team were brave enough to make Sarah Jane Adventures scary and in fact I find when watching it with my children there are more Sarah Jane episodes that are 'hide behind the sofa' scary than Doctor Who! Interesting and thrilling to get material that is creepy and challenging. I love the horror aspects of Doctor Who and love when Sarah Jane ventures quite often into that territory. This is very successful in doing that.
We get future Doctor Who companion Bradley Walsh putting in a great turn as villainous clown/circus master/pied piper and the idea of it actually works better than it does in Stephen King's filmed versions of IT. Both IT films have great beginnings and creepiness but veer into unconvincing supernatural plots in my opinion. This plot is more convincing and clever and it is only held back by the need to be suitable for a family audience. The teenage aspects and humour distract from the horror for an adult seeking scares but are necessary for the target audience.
This is a very strong adventure.
My ratings: Both parts - 9/10.