Buffy the Vampire Slayer [25th Anniversary] [Blu-ray]

Director: Fran Rubel Kuzui Fran Rubel Kuzui

Overview

The idea of fusing teen sex-comedy and horror genres into a boffo box-office bonanza seems like classic braindead Hollywood-think... but somehow, beyond all reason, the makers of this film manage to pull it off. Much of the credit goes to director Fran Rubel Kuzui (Tokyo Pop) who chooses wisely to let the jokes and action rip by so quickly that viewers won't have time to realize there's practically nothing going on. Also excellent is Kristy Swanson as the bubble-headed cheerleader who learns from a Van Helsing-ish stranger (Donald Sutherland) that she's, like, the reincarnation of this pure female warrior and stuff, destined to rid the world -- or at least the Valley -- of vampires. No sooner is the Buffster being schooled in the ways of vampire butt-kicking (much to the consternation of meek pretty-boy beau Luke Perry) than the lead vampire (Rutger Hauer) and his leering cronies show up -- and leading up the pack is none other than Pee-Wee Herman himself, Paul Reubens. Fans of this film's popular TV offspring will appreciate the fang-sharp humor but may be surprised to find little evidence of the spooky atmosphere that permeates the series -- though there are some inspired moments, particularly the ridiculous death-by-ruler scene.

Product Details

Release Date:	10/03/2017
UPC:	0024543390350
Original Release:	1992
Rating:	PG-13
Source:	20Th Century Fox
Region Code:	A
Language:	English
Time:	1:25:00
Sales rank:	452

Special Features

Featurette; Theatrical Trailer; TV Spots

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Kristy Swanson	Buffy,Referee,Actor
Donald Sutherland	Merrick
Paul Reubens	Amilyn
Rutger Hauer	Lothos
Luke Perry	Pike
Michele Abrams	Jennifer
Hilary Swank	Kimberly
Paris Vaughan	Nicole
David Arquette	Benny
Randall Batinkoff	Jeffrey
Andrew Lowery	Andy
Sasha Jenson	Grueller
Stephen Root	Gary Murray
Candy Clark	Buffy's Mom
Natasha Gregson Wagner	Cassandra
Mark DeCarlo	Coach
Tom Janes	Zeph
James Paradise	Buffy's Dad
David Sherrill	Knight
Liz Smith	Reporter
Paul M. Lane	Robert Berman,Robert Berman
Toby Holguin	Vampire Fan
Eurlyne Epper-Woldman	Graveyard Woman
Andre Warren	Newscaster
Erika Dittner	Cheerleader
J.C. Cole	Biker
Tony Maxwell	Student
Tarra Greenhut	Female Student
Michael S. Kopelow	Timid Student,Student
Jaime Seibert	Deep Student
Ricky Dean Logan	Bloody Student,Bloody Student
Anthony Haynes	Unidentified Schoolboy
Bobby Aldridge	Vampire
Amanda Anka	Vampire
Chino Binamo	Vampire
Al Goto	Vampire
Terry Jackson	Vampire
Mike Johnson	Vampire
Sarah Lee Jones	Vampire
Kim Robert Kosci	Vampire
Clint Lilley	Vampire
Chi-Muoi Lo	Vampire
Jimmy N. Roberts	Vampire
David Rowden	Vampire
Kenny Sacha	Vampire
Ben R. Scott	Vampire
Kurtis Epper Sanders	Vampire
Sharon Schaffer	Vampire
Lincoln Simonds	Vampire
Johanna Ray	Actor
Thomas Jane	Zeph
Ricki Lake	Charlotte (uncredited)
Ben Affleck	Basketball Player
Pee-Wee Herman	Actor
Rob Halford	Composer
Carter Burwell	Composer

Technical Credits

Joss Whedon

Fran Rubel Kuzui	Director,Executive Producer,Producer
Joss Whedon	Screenwriter
Carol Baum	Executive Producer
Sandy Gallin	Executive Producer
Howard Rosenman	Producer,Producer
Terry J. Leonard	Stunts
Johanna Ray	Casting
Steve Aaron	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

Unfairly maligned upon initial release (what exactly could critics and viewers expect from a film titled Buffy the Vampire Slayer?) and relegated to a curiosity in light of its admittedly more effective television counterpart, this lightweight and ultimately forgettable early effort from Joss Whedon may not leave any lasting impression on audiences, though it remains an entertaining diversion if nothing else. Notably lighter in tone than the series that followed, the feature version of the popular small-screen stalwart may not offer the deft blend of drama, suspense, and character depth of the series version, though a solid cast and some decidedly over-the-top performances offer an entertaining comic variation on the story. The key factor in enjoying this film is not viewing it in comparison to the television series. Viewed as a precursor to such subsequent self-referential efforts as Scream (1996) and outright horror comedies as Scary Movie (2000), Buffy the Vampire Slayer offers a decidedly less menacing and raunchy spoof of teen films and the vampire mythos. Though its target may not be as specifically defined as those efforts, it shouldn't be altogether dismissed as an unfocused mess either. By no means will Buffy the Vampire Slayer ever be considered either a "good movie" or a truly effective skewering of the genre mainstays or typical high school stereotypes, though forgiving viewers who are willing to judge it on its own merits will ultimately find this easygoing romp a passable 86 minutes of entertainment.

All Movie Guide - Jason Buchanan