Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Genre: Horror/Comedy

Director: Fran Rubel Kuzui

Screenplay: Joss Whedon

Starring: Kristy Swanson, Luke Perry, Donald Sutherland, Rutger Hauer, David Arquette, Paul Reubens, and Hilary Swank

Buffy is a typical high school cheerleader from southern California. Her main interests are the latest fashion, boys, and the upcoming school dance. This all changes when she is approached by a man who tells her that she is chosen, chosen to slay vampires. How is a girl supposed to balance fighting the dark forces of the undead and be the head cheerleader?

Yes, this movie isn’t exactly award winning, but to a girl who was eight, this was a gem. I was too young to know any better at the time, but this was quotable gold for my friends and me. I even remember us singing “How funky is your chicken” in the lunch line. As an adult, it is still entertaining but more in a sentimental way. I’m sure this probably made most of its profit from devoted Luke Perry fans at the time, but now I’m sure there has been a revival of purchases since its television version debuted.

Ah, the television show. A true fan of the show and Joss Whedon could not complete their collection without this film. Please, also let it be known, that Joss Whedon is not to be blamed for the movie. If he had his way originally, the movie would have reflected the show. Apparently the studio found it preposterous that a teenage cheerleader could fight vampires and be taken seriously as such, hence the campy movie. Who am I to complain about the state of the movie, because if they had let Joss Whedon have full reign, there may have been no following television series. That is something that I never want to comprehend. That show literally changed my life. It taught me that girls can kick ass and not just Xena, and most importantly, that I want to write. If there was no show, I may have been an investment banker now. *shivers.* Sooo, so not me.

Oddly, the first actors I think of concerning this movie are Hilary Swank, Donald Sutherland, and Paul Reubens. Hilary Swanks character is unbelievably annoying in this film, but hey this was her first real movie. If she hadn’t of taken this job we may have never seen her award winning performance in Boys Don’t Cry. Donald Sutherland has to be mentioned, because he is a badass. And finally, Paul Reubens. What’s more fun than seeing Pee-Wee Herman act not so Pee-Wee Herman? Plus, bonus points for a fabulous death scene. Finally, I must make small references to Ben Affleck who can be seen playing basketball and to Seth Green, who’s scenes were cut from the original film but can be seen as a vampire on the back cover of the film jacket. He sure showed us that resurrection is always a possibility in the buffyverse since he went on to play a leading and beloved member of the television cast for a couple of seasons.

Sorry Kristy, but Sarah will always be Buffy to me.

I give this film 3 Buttery Kernals.

Coming Soon: My Bloody Valentine 3-D