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Television
Buffy the Vampire Slayer - The Complete Fifth Season

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - The Complete Fifth Season

List Price: $59.98
Your Price: $44.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I love this show!
Review: Who ever thought a show full of vampires and demons would be this interesting? i love buffy the vampire slayer and the rest of the scoobie gang (even spike). This dvd was great and the episode when spike confessed his love to buffy was classic!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Season Five rocks--DVD rocks less
Review: Season Five truly is the most well-constructed season, with an excellent overall story-arc and brilliant individual episodes. After watching it again, I'm still convinced that this show was the finest show I can ever remember being on television. The DVD is worth owning just for that: just to have access to those episodes. However, I am a little disappointed in the DVD collection. Previous Buffy DVD collections had much more interesting (and numerous) special features. Perhaps the folks that create the Buffyverse are growing weary of supplying interviews and clips and other tidbits, but a whole featurette on five seasons worth of outtakes which is a) only a few minutes long, and b) has much from Wesley in Season Three, and nothing of Buffy, Angel, and other major characters seems a bit slap-dash. I deeply respect the creators and everyone involved in that show, but I would have liked to have seen a little more. Having said all that, I probably would not have been moved to write this review (since I love the season so much and was just glad to have my own copy of it) had it not been for the final episode. Granted, this problem is just the effect of leaving out the "previously on Buffy" introductions to each episode, but it is one lowsy effect: The "Buffy's-life-flashing-before-our-eyes" intro to the last episode--the one starting with "you-are-the-slayer"--is missing. This is a huge disappointment to me. That life-flashing is what completely sets up the whole episode, and the purpose of the whole show, in my opinion. It prepares us for the end. Why would anyone leave that out? What were they thinking? Anyone whose seen that episode will know exactly what I'm talking about. For a "previously on Buffy" segment as important/meaningful as that one, they absolutely should have made an exception and included it, in my humble opinion. This means that I will never be able to get rid of my VCR tape with that episode on it. How much of a bummer is that? It actually really sort of upsets me, since I take my DVD collecting seriously. I suppose though, that I should end this review with my reiteration that Season Five of Buffy, and every other season of Buffy, was phenomenal television. It's the most imaginatively written, directed, acted, composed, and designed show you could ever hope to find on tv (or movies, for that matter), and, if only for that reason, it is worth owning the DVD collection.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: BtVS turned 5 and with it became spectacular!
Review: I would say, in my opinion, this season ranks up there with seasons 2 and 3. The Arrival of Dawn, The Magic Box, The Death of Joyce, The Breakup of Riley and Buffy, and Tara's Family mark some of the key moments that made this season momentous on all levels. NOT to mention the "key" most important and heartbreaking moment in all Buffy history. Her death. From the "Previously on Buffy..." to "She saved the world alot," "The Gift" was a spectacular episode.
On the DVD, which I would say was pretty good, The Gift was not shown in it's full entirety. I wonder. WHERE WAS THE DAMN AWESOME PREVIOUSLY ON BUFFY!?!?!?!
I don't know why but they decided to leave that out cause that was an awesome way to begin what many of us thought was the final ep.
Anyway, I give this DVD ****. Not 5 because of that key not putting in the Previously on Buffy. Watch everything on this DVD including Commentaries, featurettes, outtakes(which are actually on there! :> ), and my fave ep, The Replacement with Nicholas Brendan's twin!!! Other awesome eps: The Body ( I cried), I Was Made For You (With slimey Warren), and Buffy vs. Dracula ( hilarious!!!!)

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The most well-structured season of the series.
Review: Season 5 of Buffy will probably always stand out when compared to the other seasons. Sure by season 4 Joss and co. had the "season-story-arc" thing down pat, but never has it been more tightly structured (and never will it be again) than the saga of "Glory and the Key." You just need to compare its storyline with that of season 1, which can pretty much be summed up in three episodes "Welcome to the Hellmouth/The Harvest", "Never Kill a Boy-First Date", and "Prophecy Girl" to see the stark contrast. Even seasons 2 and 3 (which seemed to be hailed as the best season -take your pick- more than the others) really didn't gear into their "season arc" until halfway through the season (Angel turning evil; the Mayor preparing for the Ascension, respectively). Season 4 is really the first time they had a true "season arc" that encompassed the ENTIRE season. While I'll be the first to admit that Joss and co. could have done a lot better than "The Initiative" storyline, it was well structured, despite the terrible underuse of their "big bad", Adam, whom, after his big introduction was allowed to flounder until it was time for his death scene at the end. Even Angelus and The Mayor had a few pre-game eps to cause mischief before their finales and they too only had the second half of their seasons to do it. Season 5 is not only more well structured, but the "Glory/Key" storyline was more often better intergrated (it helps that the Key was Buffy sister) with those episodes that weren't focused on moving the "season-arc" along, when compared to those "Adam cameos" of the previous season. Sort of like how "Goldfinger" set the standard for all the Bond films (to this day), and "Thunderball" (the very next film) was more polished and a better movie (IMHO). Seasons 6 and 7 I'll leave alone for now since their DVD sets haven't come out yet.

But what I think seperates this season more than the others is the fact that this season actually has the fewest "bad" episodes than any of the others. Even the much lauded about seasons 2 and 3 had their "Go Fish, Bad Eggs" and "The Zeppo," "Choices", "Dead Man's Party (though the zombies are the only bad thing about this otherwise excellent ep)". Sure season five had a couple of eps that weren't really nothing to burn on your DVD recorder; "Intervention" comes to mind, if only for the really lame fight scene at the end. But what surprised me were the episodes I thought would be bad (based on their previews) which actually turned out to be really good; "The Replacement", "Listening to Fear", "Triangle", and "I was Made to Love You", while others I thought would be good, didn't turn out as well "Out of My Mind," "Shadow" and "Spiral", but even these episodes weren't as bad as "Where the Wild Things Are", "Doublemeat Palace", nor "Him". And I'm still convinced that the last four episodes (which roughly takes place in the span of 24 hours) would have benefited better by compressing "Tough Love," "Spiral," and "The Weight of the World" into two episodes (the whole catatonic Buffy thing just screamed "filler"), leaving "The Gift" exactly as it is.

So I won't say that Season 5 is the best season (though the arguement is certainly there), I can find plenty of good and great things in all the seasons (yes, even season 4 to all you naysayers out there!), it is definitely worth twice the asking price for this DVD set.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A great, great set but one complaint
Review: Actually, I have two complaints with the new boxed set.

First, they don't have commentaries on some of the key episodes. For instance, no one comments on "The Gift," which is a spectacular episode.

Second, I am really upset that they dropped all of the "Previously on Buffy . . . " intros. Normally this isn't that big of a deal, but one "The Gift" it is horrible, because that was the spectacular intro that had a brief shot of every single episode to mark its being both the last episode of the season and the 100th episode overall (as well as the last episode on the WB).

Apart from that, the set is just tremendous. I'm one of those who thinks that this is the best season of Buffy overall. Season Two had great highpoints but some weak episodes, and Season Three was consistently good but lacked the highs of Two and Five.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Some important missing stuff, but great episodes
Review: I can't really say anything bad about the season. I enjoyed all of the episodes except two. I did, however, think this set should have had more and better extras. First of all, i have all the seasons and none have the main 4 characters in commentary or interviews. I'm referring to Buffy, Giles, Willow, and Xander. This is probably on purpose. I think they're waiting for the final season. I think that's a gimmick, though, and those primary people should be doing interviews or commentary on each set.

Dawn (Michelle Trachtenburg?) gets some time on this set as far as interviewing. She's very personable and seems into her character. I enjoyed her and James Marsters in the extras. The bloopers are really short. Is this because the cast is mostly on target? Perhaps they don't make many mistakes. I suspect they left quite a few out though. Still, it's better than nothing.

What they basically need is more coverage of the relationship between the major stars. Otherwise, true Buffy fans like me feel we're missing something.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A New Day Dawns For The Slayer...
Review: The 5th season of Buffy The Vampire Slayer is one marked by change and growth for the characters in some very unexpected ways. As usual series creator Joss Whedon and his writing staff continued to surprise the viewer. Season 5 also boasts the series finest hour...

As the year begins, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gallar) is still fighting vampires and demons, most notably the famed Count Dracula (Rudolf Martin), and continues her relationship with ex initiative soldier Reily Finn (Marc Blucas). Things get tougher for Buffy and Co, wth the arrival of Dawn (Michelle Tractenberg), the slayer's little sister. At first, everyone acts as though she's always been around, but as we soon learn, not all is as it seems. Dawn is really an energy being, given human form, who holds the "key" to saving the world. Buffy must protect her from an exiled God, named Glory (the great Clare Kramer in a fun twist on the season long arc), who needs Dawn's power to rule the world. Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) agrees to be Buffy's Watcher again and decides to open his own magic shop. Xander (Nicholas Brendon) and ex demon Anya (Emma Caufield) are still seeing each other as she still adjusts to human form Willow (Alyson Hannigan) takes her Wicken power even further than she thought possible. We also get to meet her lover Tara's (Amber Benson) family. As for Spike (James Marsters), he gets visits from Drusila (Juliet Landau) and Harmony (Mercedes McNab) that will rock his world. And as if all this weren't enough, Buffy's mom (Kristine Sutherland), comes down with an illness that will change the slayer forever. This year we also meet the robot making Warren (Adam Busch) for the first time. He becomes quite important in year six...Guest Star Joel Gray is very creepy as "Doc"; Angel (David Boreanaz) also appears in a clever 2 part crossover with his own show and stops by on his own to comfort Buffy at a difficult time.

Some folks have said that with Dawn's arrival, the show started to slide. I disagree. The character added a whole new demension to the slayer and to the show. Joyce's illness also allowed the series to tackle a tough issue in a very real way. "The Body", for me, is a very powerfull episode, that still gets me every time, even after multiple viewings. But Buffy year 5 still has plenty of action, enough humor, and fun that are Joss Whedon trademarks

The season five DVD collection has the same set up as the others in the series. 22 episodes are spread over six discs. The extras include 4 episode commentaries. Various writers and directors talk about key episodes. As before Whedon and writer Jane Espenson do the best audio tracks. Theirs are lively and worth a listen. There are 7 featurettes, some disscuss aspects of the show in general terms (stunts, casting), while others take viewers through season 5--hitting all the important stuff. Cast and crew (except Gellar??) chat it up. Some featurettes work better than others, but overall, they deserve a look. The scripts for 'The Replacement,' 'Fool for Love,' 'Into the Woods,' and 'Checkpoint' are included. Rare series outtakes, the usual still galleries, a trailer for a Buffy video game, and DVD-ROM material in the form of a Buffy Demon Guide tops off the set.

Another steller year of Buffy that comes highly recommended.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I love Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 5!
Review: Sarah Michelle Geller as Buffy Summers, Alyson Hannigan as Willow Rosenberg, Nicholas Brendon as Xander Harris, Emma Caufield as Anya Emerson, James Marsters as Spike,
Claire Kramer as Glory, Marc Blucus as Riley Finn
This is a great 22-episode DVD set to own. It has many Special Features and Extras related to Buffy season 5!
I love this set! There are many episodes were Buffy and Glory fight each other to the death! This set includes commentary and interviews with many of your buffy favorites, like Buffy creator Joss Whedon!
Highly Recommended!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: What a season!
Review: I got hooked on Buffy late, after the series ended. Its very nice, however, to have most of the series on DVD. This was a real 'learn & grow' season for the show (I've not seen the last 2 seasons completely). The writing continues to be fantastic! I've read reviews from other fans who did not like the opener, Buffy vs. Dracula, but I enjoyed the episode (never having seen Gellar and the actor playing Dracula in AMC probably helped). The last half of this season is done powerfully. I am grateful to Joss Wheadon for exploring this very difficult topic of the death of a family member. He did this with such grace and so close to the bone that it takes your breath away (if you've been through times like these, anyway). It really brings the series and the characters to a new level of development, the idea of strengths and weaknesses sometimes being one & the same, and the ties of *family*. Can't wait for the next season's release!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Glory Glory Hallelujah!
Review: After an uncertain 4th season about the uncertainty of freshmen year in college, Buffy returned to form with a story arc rooted in what makes and breaks a "family". The battle against Glory was spectacular and well done, but it's the issues Buffy has to face that makes the season so poignant -- a new sister, the passing of a close family member, and how the entire gang relates good and bad with her. And underneath it all the final struggle Buffy has to face to MEAN what it is to be THE SLAYER. It is as powerful as any of the 7 seasons could be! And all of this delivered at a fast and dizzying pace trademark to the show! Season 5 feels like the climax to the entire show, and you could almost stop here and feel completely satisfied with the way they tied the entire series up.

The DVDs are fullscreen format and chock full of extras. Featurettes include a season overview with the creators talking about their vision of season 5, a look at stunts, an in-depth look at Dawn including an interview with Michelle, and an assortment of outtakes/bloopers (which are from all 5 seasons!). The commentaries are about 1 per disc on various episodes with the most striking being Joss's take on THE BODY. The only truly important omission would be the "previously on ..." segment from the season finale which is also the 100th episode titled THE GIFT.

Highlights are many this year including one of the best villans in the series - the banished god Glory! She has almost a Cordelia vibe to her, but rarely has there been a more beautiful and wicked villan on BUFFY. She's vain, glorious, and utterly mad! I felt like she worked very well pitted up against Buffy and Willow. The glee in her evil is infectious, and she adds a lot to the success of the season.


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