Rating: 
Summary: Bite Me
Review: The 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' movie starring Kristy Swanson isn't nearly as good as the T.V. series starring Sarah Michelle Geller as Buffy. The only really good thing about the movie is that the T.V. show came out of it. The make-up is only standard, really, compared to the series and I hated Buffy's mom.I am so happy they got Kristine Sutherland to be Joyce in the show. I say, only watch the movie if you really feel like you have to. Otherwise, just stick with the T.V. series.
Rating: 
Summary: movie predecessor to TV show...well written but campy
Review: This movie definitely qualifies as a campy classic, and the excellent TV show that it spawned is definitely worth watching. The movie itself, however, could have done better. The concept of a clueless California valley girl (living in "the lite ages") being the "chosen one" is hilarious, and Joss Whedon does not disappoint with a well written script. The cast also features some talented actors, including Kristy Swanson, Donald Sutherland, Rutger Hauer, Luke Perry, and Paul Reubens. Kristy Swanson does an excellent job of portraying Buffy, and Donald Sutherland does not disappoint in his role as her Watcher, Merrick. However, prepare to be mildly disappointed in Rutger Hauer, who played Lothos, the head vampire. In view of past performances, his portrayal of Lothos was very dry and lacked his usual character. And Paul Reubens' portrayal of one of the vampire cronies is simply irritating by the end of the movie. Despite those flaws, the smart and sassy script shines through with some classic comedic lines, and the action and fighting in the movie is well done and enjoyable to watch. Also, the film demonstrates Joss' initial development of the character Buffy, and fans of the TV show will appreciate how far Buffy has come since her early days.
Rating: 
Summary: BUFFY ROCKS!!!!!
Review: This movie is really good for its time considering that it came out before the show Buffy. They didn't have the technology to dust the vampires which is why they just lay on the ground. Even though it wasn't as great as the show, its great because it led to the show.
Rating: 
Summary: Nothing like the series - so please don't compare the two!!
Review: This movie is the prequel to the popular TV show. While the title, main character, and writer are the same - the two have nothing else in common.
While the series got many marvelous reviews (and justly so), the movie is laegely ignored - because it is so different than the series in its lightheatedness that it is largely ignored - especially by many of the "die hard" Buffy TV show crowd. And as do most of these know - Joss Wheadon (who wrote the movie script & wrote / produces the TV show) hadn't envisioned his heroine to be the lighthearted silly girl Buffy turned out to be in the movie.
so why watch? To get a little more history about the Slayer legend (even though a large part of the "mythology" was changed between the movie & the TV show), to see a different take on the Slayer myth, but most of all - to enjoy a fluffy little movie, not a metaphor for life.
Rating:
Summary: The Beginning For Buffy!
Review: This movie was good but definitely not for all ages, it's not exactly a family movie that you can watch with every member of your family, your older children may be okay with it but the vampire scenes may be too scary for younger children just like the TV show is not for younger children. This movie is good but I definitely like the TV show a lot more and think it's way superior. Though Sarah Michelle Gellar is the better Buffy I will be honest and tell you that I think Kristy Swanson was pretty good too and not a terrible actress at all, she did good with what she had to work with and I also thought Donald Sutherland was good and Paul Reubens the guy who played Pee Wee Herman was a hoot he gave a funny over the top performance and sorry but I liked David Arquette too and didn't think he was awful at all but I do agree that Rutger Hauer wasn't at his best in this movie but I have seen him in other movies that he was very good in so don't let this movie make you think he's a terrible actor because he isn't. I recommend this movie as a video or DVD rental and if you like it then buy it if you want.
Rating:
Summary: Not the TV Series, Thank God
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Buffy the (Boring) movie
Review: We are far away from the smart and successful TV show in this lackluster movie. 16 year old valley girl and cheerleader Buffy (no last name) has dreams of past lives, and monsters in the night. And then a strange man named Merrick (Donald Sutherland) arrives and provides answeres; Buffy is a Vampire Slayer, one girl who is chosen to fight all the creatures that go bump in the night. This script is much different from the one I read by Joss Wheddon, it is a lot lighter, and that is not a good thing. I really would have liked to have seen the prom burned down to kill all the vampires. Buffy is played by Kristy Swanson, who is no where near as sweet and convincing as Sarah Michelle Geller. And while we are at it, do not be expecting Willow, Xander, Giles, or Angel. This movie was made long before the series. What we do have is Pike (Luke Perry), a slacker who is accendently cought up in the mess. The threat of the movie is Luthos, played by experienced bad guy actor Rutgar Hauer. Paul Rubens (aka Pee-Wee Herman) is Luthos's main underling, and he is so silly it's impossible to take him seriously. There are also a few cameos by future stars; Hilary Swank is another vally girl. David Arquette plays one of Pike's friends who's turned into a vampire. And Ben Affleck is uncredited as a rival basketball team player. Anyway, this movie is too silly . I know that is the point, but it is still not dark enough, and Buffy's attraction to Luthos isn't enough. I know I am horribly biesed by the TV show, but I can't help it. It is still watchable, if it's on TV somewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Sometimes Changes are Needed
Review: Well, let me start off by saying I love he "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" show, and I greatly appreciate Sarah Michelle Gellar. She is so awesome. This movie isn't all that bad. It's pretty cool to see Buffy without the complicating problems (lie lesbian friends or dating a Vampire). Although, don't get me wrong, the show is most definetly better than the movie. But, if you are an avid Buffy fan, than I strongly recommend this movie to get the roots of Buffy. Definetly a great movie for its time, although Luke Perry is... nothing. Buy this movie if you're a fan, or buy it if you think you'd like to become a fan! Just remember, the show is TOTALLY BETTER! But this is a good shot at it!
Rating:
Summary: Just Alright But NOT The TV Series By A Longshot
Review: When i/we seen this movie in the movie theater when it was released in 1992 we hated it.Lately i seen it in a local video store used bin on dvd for $4.00 so i thought that since i am collecting the dvd sets of the tv show i would buy it.I will admit this movie is way better viewing it a 2nd time years later *12 years later to be exact*.It is just alright not a good movie and not a bad movie.SO SO is the best term for it.It has its moments like Paul Reubans (pee wee herman) death scene when he gets staked *he plays a vampire* and again at end of the credits at the completion of the film.That is the most hilarious moment. Standout is Luke Perry as Pike (not Spike its Pike).He has some good lines..But nothing even close to what you would exsperiance in the great tv series.But for the Buffy fan and collector it is definatly worth the price to get this dvd coz it sets the story of the start of BuFFy and her birthright as the chosen one the slayer..Kristy Swanson is no Sarah Michelle Gellar..The one liners are just ok but not as rapid fire as the tv show..When seen this movie in its release in 1992 it was the reason why never watched the series til last year on the dvds.I immediatly fell in love with the tv show.That is the real Buffy.For the curious this dvd is worth it.Otherwise you will be disappointed if you were Slayerized on the tv show.You been warned this is NOT your tv show BuFFy.It is pre Sunnydale so you won't see WiLLow Xander Giles Angel Spike ect ect here.My advice is stick to the tv shows ye BuFFy fans.But if you are a BuFFy collector of all things BuFFy then you will need this dvd for your collection coz it is basically the back story.Would give this movie a 2 & 1/2 if i could.But 3 works too.Buffy fans proceed with caution.NuFFSaid
Rating:
Summary: Nothing too horrible
Review: While I kept being tempted to yell either "YOU ARE NOT BUFFY, AND YOU WILL NEVER BE BUFFY!" or "YOU ARE NOT SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR, AND YOU WILL NEVER BE SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR!" at the TV, I guess I have to let it slid somewhat because the movie came first. Some of the jokes seem too dumb to be Buffyish (when the vampire won't die it borders on Naked Gunish), but I thought it was o.k. One question that kept running through my mind is this "Who would win if the old Buffy fought the new Buffy?" I know that may sound like heresy, even the season 1 new Buffy would slaughter this Buffy, but if you remember Angel's flashback to when he first saw her, she wasn't THAT much better. I say give this Buffy more time to train and you might have had a contest.
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