Customer Reviews

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Widescreen)

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(36)
3 star:		(30)
2 star:		(17)
1 star:		(25)

 

 

This was simply an excellently done movie, for it's genre. We're not talking Citizen Kane or Bridge over the River Kwai, of course- but it's not trying to be that. It's just fun, and incredibly witty. One of the best comedies I've ever seen, revealing of the drive for materialism verses things that really matter, full of Christological and soteriological allegory. Later on there was a TV series by the same name, that took the kernel of the idea and twisted it, taking something humorous and making it dark, new-agey, and frankly weird. This original movie has little in it to offend, unless, of course, you're a vampire. It's very vampirist.

Buffy cares only for herself, learning the values of the American Me Generation. Until she learns that she has been chosen for something far greater, and that there are things of far more import in this world than wearing what is retro, and avoiding what is five minutes ago. While hopefully the viewer finds humor throughout the movie, they also can be challenged to reevaluate who they are, and what they consider life to be. The unexamined life is not worth living- but neither is the unlived life. Does not the best of humor point to something beyond? Does it not call us to be something more than we are? This movie does that.

The writing is excellent, the acting good- especially by Donald Sutherland and Peewee Herman. If you rent it, you'll enjoy it. I'd stake my life on it.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is definetly not as successful as it's counterpart T.V. series but it served up a pretty well rounded story.The characters were fairly likeable.Joss Whedon is very creative and intelligant ; I give him thumbs up for trying something new.I just kinda felt weird after watching it.I guess I expected to much from it.If you watch it ; thinking it will be sucky you probably won't feel as bad.Luke Perry did a pretty good job with Kristy Swanson who got very annoying after an hour and a half.The plot was really good but they didn't use it the right way.The vampires seemed to fake and when Buffy staked them they did not turn to dust; I always enjoyed that from the T.V. series.Check this one out only if you have nothing better to do.Blonde, bouncy Buffy is your typical high school cheerleader - her goal is to "marry Christian Slater and die" and nothing gets in her way when it's time to shop.But all that changes when a strange man informs her she's been chosen by ill fate to kill vampires.With the help of a romantic rebel, Buffy is soon spending school nights protecting L.A. from Lothos, The Vampire King, his sidekick, Lefty, and their determined gang of bloodsuckers.It's everything you'd expect from a teen queen in the valley.

"Not bad but pales to the terrific TV show."
-- Gerry Shamray, SUN NEWSPAPERS OF CLEVELAND

I have had this movie for years and just watched it again last Sunday. I think its funny and campy the way it is supposed to be. Sure it doesn't compare to the TV show but its still fun. I love Kristy Swanson. She was the perfect answer to the 80's backlash. She wouldn't have worked in the more serious TV show (besides I could never live without Sarah Michelle's portrayal) but I adore her none the less. And surprisngly, Buffy and Pike (Luke Perry) were wonderful together. I want to see more Buffy stuff. BUFFY FOREVER!

Don't tread on Buffy. She may look like your average valley girl, mallrat, gum chewing, fashion expert. But she's got what it takes to slay vampires like nobody's business. And now that her guide Merrick has finally found her- it's time to do some real damage. Because right as she speaks, and speaks, and speaks some more, the evil Lothos and his right hand henchman Pee Wee Herman (I couldn't resist) are massing an army of undead bloodsuckers to... I don't know- bite people and wreak havoc.

The plot is a little thin, and sad, but the actors do a totally rad job of not depressing the audience just because they're too damn old to be in High School. The effects are mostly physical and a bit stiffly choreographed considering that 90% of all the vamps come off as disposable stunt-persons. That's my one major beef with the movie. That the baddies aren't very convincing. That Buffy's ex-best friend and ex-boyfriend can make out in a parked car, with the top down, less than 6 feet away from snarling, clawing vampires on either side of the lot fence, and not even notice... Yeah, like I said, thin on plot.

What it's rich in, however, is character development. And not quite like on that stupid TV show either. When actors in this movie are being snooty and quippy, they give it all they've got. And that's worth something, in the name of satire. On TV, it's just annoying. Buffy undergoes a certain transformation. She realizes that she is too good to devalue herself by hanging out with a group of sheepish friends who are slaves to popular trends, and don't really care about anything. She learns some very valuable lessons, and comes out fighting all the way. Granted, the extent of the circumstances she faces are slim. But, for a teenager who has to deal with school and boys and parents AND vampires- all at the same time...

It's okay. The performances, lent something credible by the casting of well-respected Donald Sutherland and Rutger Hauer. Luke Perry is actually kind of cute and endearing in this film. Paul Reubens is a RIOT as the sidekick who takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin', even after he's staked in the heart, in a really funny prolonged death scene. Both Ricki Lake and Ben Affleck appear in unbilled roles as a waitress and a basketball player.

And let's talk about Hilary Swank for a second. If any actress was about to win a major award for playing the part of a valley girl- it's Hilary. She was born to play this role, and for this to catapult her to a real acting career. I was always surprised that Kristy Swanson never seemed to be doing much after this film... It seemed like she was about to make a comeback with memorable parts in both Dude Where's My Car(?) and Big Daddy. Alas, she's gone quiet again.

And I very much loved the music soundtrack. Matthew Sweet, The Divinyls, Susanna Hoffs, Ozzy Osbourne, Toad the Wet Sprocket, and the awesome "Keep it Comin' (Dance Till You Can't Dance No More)" from C+C Music Factory. There's just a certain magic about this movie. And who could ever forget that famous line, "you broke up with my machine?!"

To think that a great TV show was born of this disaster is astounding! This film tried to be a comedy but it failed miserably. It tried to be an action film, but it failed miserably. The lead actress playing Buffy has the talent of a thimble. The whole idea of Buffy was retooled for TV and it was amazing.

The first time I watched this movie I didn't really like it too much but I decided to watch it again and to my surprise I actually liked it. I still think that it isn't as good as the awesome TV show but it's not horrible and is an enjoyable fluffy piece of pop corn to watch on a rainy afternoon. I own this DVD and I had thought about trading it or selling it but I have decided that even though the TV show is superior that the movie is good 'ol campy fun and decided to keep it in my Buffy DVD collection though I think I will probably only watch the movie once a year.

I love the TV series but the movie is just... not good. The vampires are over-played and Buffy is just ... not good. Theres really nothing I can say. It was a really bad movie - I was disapointed but I did get a few good laughs after seeing how BAD it was. So rent it if you want to laugh at the badness but DONT buy it. You'll be so disapointed you might just puke.

If you're the kind of person who loves the TV show, you will be the kind of person who hates this god awful movie.

There are reasons why this movie can seem so bad compared to the television series: mostly its the entire "feeling cramps when vamps are around thing". Frankly the vampires steal this movie away from the mortals -- they are funnier by far, especially Paul Reubens. But it is good to check back on the earlier "Buffy" idea. Might make you appreciate the tv show more; it did me. I like to watch it about once a year for a great, fun, non-thinking time.

I saw by reading the reviews for this original theatrical movie version of Buffy the Vampire Slayer that it's a movie that is equally loved and hated depending on whether you are a fan of the movie or show or Swanson or Gellar as Buffy and to each their own, everyone is entitled to their own opinion of which is better.

I personally prefer the TV show and Sarah Michelle Gellar but that is just my own personal opinion and no slam against Kristy Swanson and her fans.

I just didn't enjoy the movie and found it very boring compared to the very thrilling TV show but that's a personal opinion.