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Television
Buffy the Vampire Slayer - The Complete First Season

Buffy the Vampire Slayer - The Complete First Season

List Price: $39.98
Your Price: $27.99
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Poor interface
Review: I loved what was there....the transfer quality but it seemed quite good to me.

I'd give it 5 stars were it not for the lousy interface:
1) I couldn't access the scripts on my player. Thinking that it was either the disc or my system I took the discs into a retail store and was able to access the scripts there: therefore, it's my player. I suspect this is unlikely to happen to most people, but it did happen to me. While I consider this to be no big deal I thought I'd mention it.(Yes, I could access the photo gallery, just not the scripts.)

2) Not having cable, my exposure to THE SOPRANOS and SEX AND THE CITY has been via rentals at Blockbuster. The DVD interfaces for those series are excellant and should be conceptually emulated for any episodic DVD collections. Using them as standards, the Buffy 1 DVD's fall short in a couple of areas: a clear indication of the chronological order of the episodes (i.e., across then down or down then across?), a text description of the episode, "Previously on..." snippets, "Next On..." previews. Yes, some of this info is in the attached pamphlet but it REALLY bugged me that I needed the pamphlet to determine which was the 2nd & which the 3rd episode on each disc.
I doubt that [a movie store] would be interested in renting the Buffy discs like they do SOPRANOS, et al since Buffy is a broadcast show, but even if they were interested the interface would make this an unsatisfactory rental experience. THERE IS NO REASON A PAMPHLET SHOULD BE NECESSARY TO WATCH A DVD! THIS IS BAD BAD BAD DESIGN. DON'T DO IT AGAIN!

ahem, sorry for shouting.

Also, in his interviews Josh talks about how they had the luxury of going back and reshooting some key scenes in Welcome to the Hellmouth (episode 1) after they had wrapped Episode 12 because the series hadn't started airing yet. Specifically a scene between Buffy & Giles in the library and Darla's non-death, etc. Boy, I would have LOVED to see the ORIGINAL versions of those scenes. Being told about them was interesting but SEEING them would have been terrific (if they still exist).

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Teenage Agnst at its Best
Review: When I first saw the promos for 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' on television, I remember making fun of the show for its stupidity and childish plot lines. My snobbishness towards the show changed once I saw the excellent season finale of Season 2.

I missed out on much of Season 1 in repeats and I vaguely knew of some of the references to the big bad of the season, 'The Master,' and Xander's obsession with the 'bug lady' so I was excited to learn that Season One would finally be released on DVD and that I would be able to watch all episodes in order.

I will be honest, the early episodes are a little strange and definitely show a lack of funding for production, but do not let this deter you from buying this DVD to see where it all began. The two part season opener, "Welcome to the Hellmouth" and "The Harvest" set up the show and the characters. Other standout episodes are "The Puppet Show" which is hands down one of the funniest Buffy episodes ever, "Nightmares," "Angel," in which we learn about the curse on Angel and his relationship with Darla, and the action/drama packed season finale "Prophecy Girl."

There is only one throwaway episode out of the twelve, "Teacher's Pet" which is sort of goofy and melodramatic. Naturally, it is important for the development of the storyline, but it certainly slows the entire season down a bit. The extras are cool, there are some cast and character biographies and some short interviews with Joss and David Boreanez, but other than that, they are nothing special. All in all, this is a great DVD and a great place for new Buffy fans to start.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A phenomenon is born
Review: Buffy's first season may not be the best one but it sure gives a taste for what Joss Whedon is able to do. These are the days when Buffy was closer to The X-Files estructure (standalones or monsters of the week and vampire related episodes). The truth about this series is that all previous judgements about the title or the genre are misleading. This is a darn good show that, just like X-Files, works at an enormous range of levels (psicology, mythology, allegoric, socilogy, etc). But all that is nothing if you are not really entertained... and with BUFFY you are really entertained. This season brings BUFFY to a californian town called Sunnydale, which turns out to be the hellmouth. Therefore all sorts of evil forces and creatures converge in this little city full of scared people... I love this aspect of the series (hey! I'm live in Colombia and from what always appears on the news, sometimes it seems like everyone thinks I live in the hellmouth -and I don't-). She is joined by a nerd (Willow, played by Alison Hannigan), a normal guy who tries to fit in his school (Xander played by Nicholas Brendon) and a brittish librarian (Giles played by Anthony Stewart Head). The entire season is based upon a specific threat that comes to reality in the final episode (Prophecy Girl): a very old and powerful vampire who is trapped between dimensions wants to go back to earth. The mixture of humor, horror and action is well achieved. The music could be better, but this is, overall, a very good season... it is worth the time. I was particularly surprised when in the episode "The Pack" a bunch of teens possesed by hienas eat principal Fluttie... then I realized: this series is willing to go all the way. And it has really gone all the way in this six years.
In this season we also begin to know Angel and his background... I have never been a fan of this character (I think Buffy could do so much better than this old tortured, misterious guy... she should be with a lighter person, someone who just can wait her at home, and when she gets there about three o'clock in the morning says: "hi, hon, how was the slaying tonight?") but I have to admit that his dramatic impact is powerful.
I have to be honest, I expected much more from the DVD box. The booklet is simple and the box has no real taste. The extras, in the other hand, are pretty good... the script is a good option although I have never been able to read the whole thing because I hate to read long things on a screen. The interviews with Whedon and Boreanaz are ok, but where is the rest of the cast?
Anyways, this is a very good item... and it is a must-have if you are a fan of the series because... well, this is pretty much where it all started (I'd like to think that this is the begining and not the movie which I didn't like).

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Gotta love Buffy
Review: I absolutely love this set! It was great watching the first season and getting all the laughs all over again, (sigh) and to see Angel. A must have for all Buffy fans!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Must Have For Buffy Fans
Review: I haven't seen the first season of Buffy untill I got it on DVD but this is a great thing to add to your Buffy collection if you have one. This season is important because it shows the begining of the show and it introduces you to the charaters. It has great episodes.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A very entertaining and witty show!!
Review: I just love the TV version Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I fell in love with it from the first episode. In the beginning, all my friends thought that I was nuts to watch this show, but now every single one of them is an addicted fan. The characters are very witty and charismatic.

Although I really liked the movie version of Buffy, the TV version far surpases it for entertainment value. Buffy and her friends face all kinds of obstacles (vampires, demons, curfews, peer pressure, etc.)

There is Giles, Buffy's Watcher. He is working as the schools librarian so that he can be near Buffy to guide her as she fights the vampires, demons, etc. There is Willow, a bookworm/computer nerd who comes out of her shell and becomes Buffy's bestfriend. Then, there is Xander, who is my favorite. He and Willow grew up together. He is the ever loyal friend who is there whenever Buffy needs him with a helping hand and a witty comeback. Most importantly, there is the character of Angel. A vampire with a conscience. His relationship with Buffy is only in the budding stages in the first season.

I think that if you are a fan of the movie, you will like the TV show as well. I highly recommend it!!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: More commentary!!!
Review: Obviously, the episodes are wonderful. I wouldn't have ordered this DVD set if they weren't. But after being "spoiled" by Joss Whedon's commentary on the first 2 episodes, I could barely watch the rest. His behind-the-scenes stories were wonderful! Hopefully the next set will feature even more of these commentaries.

Now, if we can just get to seasons 3 & 4, where the series really shone. I can't wait!!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good start.
Review: With "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", you need to place things in perspective. I watched as many episodes as time would allow at each sitting and always seemed to be wanting more. Even after watching the whole set, I want to see what happens next.

"Buffy" is all about growing up. Though the stories are very fantastic(as in Science Fiction/Fantasy), the issues dealt with are very real. From peer-pressure to dating to parent/child relationships, this is a very interesting view of teen life.

All good fiction is really brought about by the relationships explored, and though there are a certain number of internal inconsistencies (What year was the lead character born? What class is she in? etc.) the first season is very good fiction.

If there is a weakness in the set, it is the extras. I didn't look for easter eggs, but the extras gave very little information and I found Mr. Whedon's commentaries added very little, if anything, to the set's overall value.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Buffy is Great!
Review: I was not interested in Buffy when the show first came on, and had honestly never watched an episode, but I bought this DVD set anyway. WOW! I love it. I love the characters and their personalities. I am now waiting for Season 2 to be released in June so i can get caught up and have another treasure. If you have never seen Buffy, try this set out. If you are a Buffy fan, this is a great collection.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: How could you NOT love Buffy's first season?
Review: My husband and I are big fans of the series. For the past two years now we have dedicated every Tuesday night as our "Date Night"/"Buffy Night." What we love about this DVD set, or the first season, is that the whole ensemble is as true to their characters then as they are now. A lot of the actions and events that take place in the first season wonderfully foreshadow what's to come for the many great episodes that follow. This is a must see for every fan, and for those who want to learn more about the "hype."


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