Rating: 
Summary: An excellent set
Review: I only became interested in the Buffy shows recently, so finding this set was like discovering buried treasure. I've seen the occasional early episode in re-runs, but I wasn't always sure what was going on. Now, however, I am able to watch the episodes from the beginning, in the linear order that they were designed to be viewed. Maybe there aren't as many extras in this set as in some other DVDs, but I didn't buy it for the extras. I bought it for the well-written episodes that it contains. There was only one complaint that I have regarding this set - the episode titles aren't printed on the disks, which makes it harder to find a particular episode. Fortunately, they corrected this mistake in the season 2 set. All in all, however, this is a terrific addition to my DVD collection.
Rating:
Summary: SO MUCH BETTER THEN THE VHS COLLECTION
Review: This collection surpasses it's predicessing boxed set of VHS tapes. It's the kind of collection worth going to buy a dvd player just to watch it. ANY Buffy fan, and even those that were not until they were forced to sit and watch the whole first season and became magically transformed into fans. GET THIS, it is so worth it for any one who has ever been a fan of the show.
It dosn't possess as many extra's as I had hoped, but since I started watching DVD's no disk has, so that comment is not dirrected in any way to change your mind about this set, you must get it, it needs to be seen by you, RIGHT NOW!
Rating: 
Summary: Introducing Buffy Summers (Again)
Review: This series is far superior to the flick of the same name. It's smart and funny. Decent special effects. But the main thing about this show is it's amazing cast of characters.While this series did not hit it's stride until season 2, this box set is still worth buying for die hard Buffy fans, and fans who did not see season one.
Rating: 
Summary: Off To A Weak Start But It Gets Better
Review: Buffy's a great show. I never really got into it until the DVDs came out. This first season release may contain all the shows but it certainly lacks in extras. Even the menus are bland and it doesn't seem like they tried all that hard. It's not like this set was rushed. The X-Files sets were great from the start but Buffy Season 1 will be the odd ball of the series.
Rating:
Summary: Double-crossing the ironic age.
Review: July 3, 2002 Buffy came out of nowhere in the very late nineties,
an unheralded mid-season program starring unknowns,
the adaptation of a weak but loopy film project reborn
on a marginal network. Despite mediocre ratings and a
lack of industry recognition, the show not only managed
to survive to maturity, it has even wormed its way
into the public consciousness. The secret to its network survival is little more than
demographic appeal, clearly, but the secret to its cult
status and vaunted critical reputation is the powerhouse
effect of its first three seasons. In its original incarnation (packaged here), Buffy is
one of the richest dramatic concoctions television has
yet produced. It masquerades as an ironic kiddie horror
show but presents a better brand of melodrama than most
prime time doctor and lawyer shows. Self-referencing wit
and ironic detachment are sprinkled literally throughout
the proceedings, but from the very first episode it's
clear that the producers, writers and actors take these
characters very seriously. This is one of a very short list of TV show DVD
collections that I'd advise anyone to buy. It is moving,
playful, review-worthy television at its best. Season
Two is also available.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST DVDS ever
Review: The 1st season of Buffy is the ice-breaker, your are introduced to 16 year old Buffy Summers, a high school sophomore having to cope with the realization that she is the slayer and has to move to a new place, Sunnydale California, hoping to escape the torment that title brings her but she is wrong. New surprises are instore as she teams up with her watcher and librarian Rupert Giles and Scooby Gang pals Willow and Xander. Along with others she battles evil until the end, or so you think, and you are left dieing to see the next season. Besides, you get introduced to Angel, who is so totally hot! this is a must buy!
Rating:
Summary: It might seem lame when all you hear is the summary...
Review: For the longest time, I thought people that talked about "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (and "Angel," its spinoff) were ridiculous. This, of course, was before I'd ever seen even a small part of an episode. Once I started, I couldn't stop. The characters really are flushed out to be interesting individuals, and the show explores many issues that all teenagers have to deal with in high school. (Believe me, I know -- I only graduated 2 years ago!) My boyfriend purchased the first season of "Buffy," and we flew through it in less than two weeks. Some of the best episodes were: "Witch" - "In an effort to inject somce normalcy into her life, Buffy tries out for the cheerleading squad -- Only to discover the competetion wants her dead." (Summary taken from DVD booklet)
~~~ An amusing, and still yet poignant look at competetion between school girls. "Teacher's Pet" - "Xander falls for a beautiful substitute teacher who is actually a She-Mantis intent on mating with, then decapitating, virginal boys." (Summary taken from DVD booklet) ...And many other extremely entertaining episodes. Highly recommended. Oh, and it can be pretty cheesy at times, but in a good way!
Rating:
Summary: "Argh. Grr," it says. Hurrah!
Review: How could I have been so blind? As if having been poked in the eyes repeatedly with the finger of ignorance, I was foolish enough to have initially dismissed Buffy with the haughty tones of a young man dismissive of the entire 'teen tv' genre. My friends, threatening me with outmoded farming implements, eventually managed to force me to watch an episode. It involved the inhabitants of the town of Sunnydale losing their voices whilst sinister floating demons prowled the night looking for... well I think you can guess. I was hooked. I had to see where it started before I went any further. Buffy the Vampire slayer is that rare breed, an intelligent and witty horror adventure. First of all special mention must be given to the acting. Out of the regular cast it is difficult to see anyone as an actor... you can only see perfectly rounded characters. It really is a marvel. A host of young peformers acting in a completely unselfish way. There is no mugging, no shameless hogging of limelight. Nicholous Brendon does a superb job as the class clown, Xander. An unpopular boy who hides his vunerability under a facade of wisecracks and witticisms. Brendon appears to have a natural gift of timing, and if he is ever given a duff line he manages to make it look as if the character is naturally at fault for saying such a stupid thing, instead of exposing a rare inadequacy in the script writing. Alysson Hannigan perfectly portrays the 'class geek'. A rather sweet, innocent and totally unconfident girl of 'a shyness that is criminally... um... unvulgar'. (One for you Smiths fans there.) Hannigan and Brendon work together well, they really do seem like close friends. Protective of each other, needing each other for support and working together to not only defeat monsters but deflate any pofaced morbidities that could arise in the script. Anthony-Giles-Stewart-Giles-Head-Anthony works admirably at a character that has to indulge in a lot of exposistion for the benefit of the viewer. It is good to see that the rest of the cast and the script offer him plenty of opportunities to react in bewildement, annoyance and lovable 'Englishness' to the often exasperating youngsters. He also gets his fair share of action, fun and drama. Many TV shows neglect such characters, seeing them as little more than to speedily set up and advance plots. It's good that Joss Whedon values all of his characters. And Sarah Gellar herself? In pathos she shows her isolation well. The strong feeling of responsibility towards her friends and her moral courage are played well by her. Although Gellar sometimes quips too flipantly... I think that she should deliver some of her vampire trouncing lines a little more edgily lest they end up looking like comedy monsters... she is very good at delivering the lines intended to satirise the American High school. Her scenes with her mother are played expertly to maximum effect. Notice that Buffy's mother actually has little screen time, but thanks to a resonant script and natural acting, it feels as if she plays a very large role in Buffy's life. The TV show would be a lot poorer if it wasn't for the ease of which it switched emotions. Most inferior TV shows have one note. X-Files was guilty of this, opting for a continuous stream of angst after the first two series. Buffy switches from comedy to drama to horror with almost implausible ease. This keeps it difficult in guessing in what precise direction the show is going in. This unpredictability can only be a good thing. The writing is, by and large, very sharp as well. Although some of the vampires are fairly dull, and Angel does a little too much brooding, there are some cracking lines for the villains. The slap-headed Master getting his fair share of taunting and cute remarks. Cordelia provides expert comic relief and acts as the kind of teenager you'd think twice about saving from evil beasties. She also provides a vital link for the Buffy squad with the rest of the kids. Episode quality? There are two duffers. The preying mantis teacher episode is let down by weak effects and a tale far too slight. It ultimately says nothing and is only saved by a slightly amusing script and good acting, especially from Brendon. 'The Puppet Show' seems far too unsure as to what direction it wants to take. It should be entirely silly but aims for pathos, which doesn't really work since the character we're meant to feel sorry for looks like a sinister cross between Howdy Doody and Captain Scarlett. Four of the episodes are cracking however. The first two introduce the concept and characters and provide a concentrated form of the soul of the show. 'Angel' reveals many sides of Buffy's character and places her in a situation true of many teen romances, despite the supernatural elements. The last episode is something of a rollercoaster. It has very strong drama and a good theme on the nature of responisbility, Giles especially getting a good part in realising his rather callous acceptance of Buffy as the world's saviour, sending her out while he remains in relative safety and his attempts to correct this. The only let down is a slightly anti-climatic and rather unimaginative end fight with The Master. Overall then? Even the worst two episodes are entertaining compared to the usual quality of television. At its best Buffy provides a fun home for satire, drama, comedy and horror. The obvious love and care put into the show by all concerned is what keeps it fresh and earnest. Oh, and at one point Xander punches a scary clown. I cheered. Please don't overlook this gem, intellectual indie fellow, it will surprise you. One last nightmarish thought. What if, due to the mystical properties of the Hellmouth, it was Uri Gellar and not Sarah Gellar who played Buffy? Brrr.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful DVD Set
Review: This set is a must for anyone who wants to get into the amazing show that is Buffy The Vampire Slayer. This is where it all started. The triangle relationships, the high school on a hellmouth. It's funny, it's quirky, it's about friendship and about growing up. The stage of the hellmouth proves very effective. The Scooby gang is wonderful, espiecally Sarah Michelle Geller and Allyson Hannigan. The group is wonderful. The set is especially great for setting up the wonderful second season. Great purchase!
Rating:
Summary: One of TV's Best Shows
Review: I'm a late Buffy bloomer: I just started watching it last year. I read critics' praises of the show and about its cult following but at the time I thought, "Why are they ranting and raving about 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer'?" When I finally watched it, I was quite impressed with how witty, sly and suspenseful it was all at the same time without contradicting itself. The characters are quite aware of the absurdity of some of the situations they get into and play it off with a somewhat campy nature. It is completely different than Buffy the movie and that movie is the furthest thing from your mind while viewing the show. This dvd and the one for the second season is perfect for the Buffy fan from the early days, late bloomers like myself as well as those skeptics who have yet to be converted -- and hooked!
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