Buffy the Vampire Slayer Director: Fran Rubel Kuzui Cast: Kristy Swanson, Donald Sutherland, Rutger Hauer, Paul Reubens
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- DVD Release Date: 09/04/2001
- Original Release: 1992
- Rating:
- Sales Rank: 2,625
FOR PARENTS
- Common Sense Rates this for Ages: More
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Scenes
Features
Anamorphic widescreen [aspect ratio 1.85:1]; English 4.0 Surround; English Dolby Surround; Subtitles: English, Spanish; Featurette; Theatrical trailer; Two TV spots
Full Product DetailsScene Index
Side #1 --
0. Scene Selection
1. Legend of the Slayer [:59]
2. Main Titles [2:45]
3. The Lite Ages [:31]
4. The "Slasher" [2:54]
5. Vampire Dreams [1:39]
6. A Theme for the Dance [1:42]
7. Pike & Benny [1:22]
8. An Unsafe Place [:22]
9. The Chosen One [1:56]
10. Unliving Proof [1:42]
11. Benny's New Look [4:40]
12. The Reluctant Slayer [2:48]
13. Basic Training [1:15]
14. The Test [3:27]
15. Merrick's Purpose [1:49]
16. Pike's Predicament [4:30]
17. Everything's Different [1:14]
18. Blood & Basketball [:18]
19. Doing Some Damage [2:50]
20. Meet the Master [3:39]
21. When the Music Stops... [1:34]
22. Priorities [3:30]
23. Over My Head [3:19]
24. The Big Dance [1:51]
25. Party Crashers [2:20]
26. A Drawn-Out Death [1:50]
27. ...The Rest is Silence [2:43]
28. Showdown [1:06]
29. Last Dance [1:53]
30. End Titles [4:40]
Editorial Reviews
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. Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
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Why We Rated This Appropriate for Ages 13 and UP
What to watch out for
- Drugs:
Mainly one gag monologue in which a pompous school administrator, suspecting Buffy of abusing drugs, speaks fondly of his 1960s narcotics experimentation and LSD trips.
- Language:
Prominent use of "bitch," "ass," and the s-word uttered once.
- Sex:
Push-up bras and corsets, some skimpy clothing. Male students say they would enjoy sex with the heroine, without going into much detail (except for praising Buffy's "yobbles," apparently a euphemism for breasts).
- Violence:
Many, many vampires get skewered on stakes, but blood (ironically) is rare, even when one of the undead has his arm torn off. Martial arts-style kicking and punching, reckless motorcycling and driving stunts. One vampire singed with a flame... More
Many, many vampires get skewered on stakes, but blood (ironically) is rare, even when one of the undead has his arm torn off. Martial arts-style kicking and punching, reckless motorcycling and driving stunts. One vampire singed with a flame-thrower-like burst of ignited hairspray. Close
- Messages
- Consumerism:
Buffy's superior "fashion sense" is a strong component of the plot, and there's a natural tie-in to the TV series and comics spin-offs.
What Parents Need to Know
About Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Parents need to know that this forerunner of the classic Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series has a much different, less serious flavor (and a different cast) than the program. There is mild swearing and verbal sexual innuendo. Though violence is frequent, it's also cartoon-like and almost entirely bloodless, even when people are killed and vampires are being speared or, in one case, deprived of an arm. Except for supernatural mentors (master vampires and vampire-hunters) adults appear either idiotic or inconsequential, and a man in his 50s is considered disgustingly old.
Families Can Talk About
Families can talk about the different ways that popular-culture storytellers have handled vampires, from Dracula to Twilight. They have symbolized pure evil but also romance and sexuality. Here vampires -- who look kind of like a marauding gang from a rival high school -- serve as a sort of catalyst for Buffy to grow up and realize there is more to life than classroom popularity. What do you think of this Buffy compared to the revamped TV version?
© 2010 All Media Guide, LLC