Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Theatrical Release Date: 1992 07 31 (USA)

UPC: 024543016526

Studio: 20th Century Fox

MPAA Rating: PG13   Contains:[Violence, Questionable for Children, Adult Language, Profanity, Suitable for Teens]

Summary: 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, Rovi

Category: Horror

Awards: Best Television Series - Drama – American Film Institute

Features: Anamorphic widescreen [aspect ratio 1.85:1]
English 4.0 Surround; English Dolby Surround
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Featurette
Theatrical trailer
Two TV spots

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Format: DVD

Release Date: 09/04/2001

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Theatre Wide-Screen

Audio: DD4.0 Dolby Digital 4.0, DDS2.0 Dolby Digital w/ 4 channels

Runtime: 86 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English

Subtitles: English,Spanish

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Chapters: 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]

Jason Buchanan

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. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Al Goto  Actor 
Ben R. Scott  Actor 
Mike Johnson  Actor 
Kurtis Epper Sanders  Actor 
Ricki Lake  Actor 
David Sherrill  Actor 
Sharon Schaffer  Actor 
Chino Binamo  Actor 
Chi Muoi Lo  Actor 
Johanna Ray  Actor 
Paul Lane  Actor 
Terry Jackson  Actor 
Thomas Jane  Actor 
Ben Affleck  Actor 
Michael Kopelow  Actor 
Tony Maxwell  Actor 
Rick Logan  Actor 
Lincoln Simonds  Actor 
James Paradise  Actor 
Liz Smith  Actor 
Rob Halford  Composer (Music Score) 
Carol Baum  Executive Producer 
Carter Burwell  Composer (Music Score) 
Sandy Gallin  Executive Producer 
Fran Rubel Kuzui  Director 
Fran Rubel Kuzui  Executive Producer 
Kaz Kuzui  Producer 
Zvi Howard Rosenman  Producer 
Joss Whedon  Screenwriter 
Kristy Swanson  Actor 
Donald Sutherland  Actor 
Rutger Hauer  Actor 
Paul Reubens  Actor 
Luke Perry  Actor 
Michele Abrams  Actor 
Hilary Swank  Actor 
Paris Vaughan  Actor 
David Arquette  Actor 
Randall Batinkoff  Actor 
Candy Clark  Actor 
Andrew Lowery  Actor 
Sasha Jenson  Actor 
Stephen Root  Actor 
Natasha Gregson Wagner  Actor 
Mark de Carlo  Actor 

Country: USA