Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
Cast: Kristy Swanson, Donald Sutherland, Paul Reubens
Director: Fran Rubel Kuzui
Country: USA
Genre: Action | Comedy | Fantasy | Horror
Editor’s Notes: The following review is part of our coverage for TIFF’s Back to the 90s. For more information on upcoming TIFF film series visit http://tiff.net and follow TIFF on Twitter at @TIFF_NET.
I’m a huge Joss Whedon fan, and am quite aware of his dismay with the way his script was tampered with in this movie. So naturally, I’m slightly biased and have always been just lukewarm on this film, the slightly disappointing origin of the Buffy universe. Every Whedonite knows the story of Whedon’s struggles, how Donald Sutherland rewrote his own lines, Whedon leaving production halfway through, and asking people to see this movie as a stand-alone Buffy tale, the television series is what he had actually envisioned making.
…Whedon leaving production halfway through, and asking people to see this movie as a stand-alone Buffy tale, the television series is what he had actually envisioned making.
The film, written by Whedon but directed by Fran Rubel Kuzui who later served as an executive producer on both Buffy and Angel, is lighthearted fun that packs the trademark quips and strong female character, but lacks the substance and warm empathy that he is usually so good at tying together. It doesn’t help that Kristy Swanson isn’t the greatest actress. The dialogue between her and a homeless looking Donald Sutherland when they first meet in the gym falls so flat, it seems like they’re both talking at eachother instead of actually engaging in dialogue. While I realize I should be reviewing this as a single entity, instead of constantly comparing it to the show, it’s really hard not to. Buffy’s relationship with Giles, and Sarah Michelle Gellar’s chemistry with Anthony Stewart Head, is far superior even within the first two episodes compared to Swanson and Sutherland.
Not without its own standout moments, this is one of Luke Perry’s stand-out roles, as Pike, or, “Dylan with a sense of humor”.
Not without its own standout moments, this is one of Luke Perry’s stand-out roles, as Pike, or, “Dylan with a sense of humor”. Paul Reubens is the comic relief, hilarious as Lothos’ far less serious right-hand man “you ruined my jacket! Kill him a lot!” The best parts about Buffy, are mostly scenes with smaller characters. David Arquette as Benny, great character actor Stephen Root as the “hip and with it” prinicipal, handing out detention slips to the dead vampires, and who could forget Rutger Hauer as Lothos.
This doesn’t have enough depth or fleshed out characters to feel like a coming-of-age teen flick like some of the other 90’s greats being reviewed in this retrospective series, but the climax at the dance, Paul Reuben’s repeated “ooh-ah,” death sounds after being staked, Swanson and Perry’s solid chemistry, and Rutger Hauer’s cartoonish, over-the-top villain makes it worth a watch.
This doesn't have enough depth or fleshed out characters to feel like a coming-of-age teen flick like some of the other 90's greats being reviewed in this retrospective series, but the climax at the dance, Paul Reuben's repeated "ooh-ah," death sounds after being staked, Swanson and Perry's solid chemistry, and Rutger Hauer's cartoonish, over-the-top villain makes it worth a watch.
