CORPORATE LINE: In every generation there is a chosen one. She alone will stand against the Vampires, the Demons and the Forces of Darkness. She is the Slayer. Declared as one of television’s best shows by Entertainment Weekly, Time and USA Today, the complete “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” series arrives in all new limited edition 40-disc collectors’ case on November 15, 2005 from Fox Home Entertainment. The DVD collection features a one-hour documentary on the special edition bonus disc, a collectible book and a letter personally signed by creator Joss Whedon. In the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” Collector’s Set, for the first time all seven seasons – 144 episodes – are beautifully packaged together with a rare artwork case for the ultimate slayer fan. Winner of several honors and accolades, including three Saturn Best Network Television Series Awards and six Emmy® nominations, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” became a television phenomenon for seven seasons; as it formed the tales of a group of friends who warded off forces of evil in an attempt to save humanity. Featuring a stellar cast of young Hollywood talent, the series features breakout performances from Emmy® winner* and Golden Globe® Nominee Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alyson Hannigan (American Pie, American Pie 2), Nicholas Brendon (“Celeste in the City”) and Anthony Stewart Head (Fat Slags). Fans can relive all of Buffy’s difficult trials and adventures, from her altercations with close friends who have turned evil and a lover who lost his soul, to her crucial battles with the most wicked entities ever created — a saga leading up to the exciting series finale.
THE EXTRAS:
“Back to the Hellmouth: A Conversation with Creators and Cast” featurette finds some of the cast Nicholas Brendon, Charisma Carpenter, Emma Caulfield and Danny Strong, and Whedon’s team sitting around chatting about the show. It starts terribly slow with introductions although it gets much more interesting as it goes along. There is insight into the making and they have good chemistry still as they make each other laugh. We discover some very interesting things such as Danny Strong tried out for the role of Zander and Charisma Carpenter auditioned for Buffy.
“Breaking Barriers: It’s Not a Chick Fight Thing” featurette goes into the fight scenes and how they are orchestrated and an interview with Sarah Gellar’s stunt double.
“Love Bites: Relationships in the Buffyverse” goes into Buffy and Angel’s relationship and Willow’s affair. Buffy is definitely a sexy show but it’s not as interesting to watch a segment on it.
“Evil Fiends” discusses the monsters and how they are created. We are also given the metaphors behind some of the monsters such as high school cliques. Honestly, after watching every season since it was released it never really mattered why the monsters were made only that they were cool.
“Buffy Cast and Crew: Favorite Episodes” featurettes with the cast and creators discussing their favorite episodes. It’s interesting to know why these are their favorite episodes—particularly because they might not be your favorites.
“Buffy: An Unlikely Role Model” finds the same cast and crew discussing how Buffy helped young girls. It’s odd to be talking about a “Vampire Slayer” being a hero rather than a cool character on a television show.
Unfortunately we didn’t get every featurette to review but those that are included:
– Commentaries and interviews on select episodes with creator Joss Whedan and David Boreanaz
– Buffy television trailers, the original pilot episode script, season overviews, stills galleries, and finally a booklet with episode guide.
– “Designing Buffy,” “A Buffy Bestiary,” and “Beauty and the Beasts” featurette
– Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Panel Discussion
– Exclusive David Fury Behind the Scenes Featurette: “Once More with Feeling”
– “Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Television with a Bite” As seen on TV-Ography on A&E
– Karaoke music videos
– Outtakes
– Wrap footage
The best thing about the features is that they make you want to watch the show all over again. So watch the features first and then go through the 39 episodes of the show next!
FRANKLY: Sarah Gellar is notably missing. Why she wouldn’t get involved is beyond us. She was the central character and is really the most interesting member of the cast.
Overall, for the price you can’t beat getting every single episode of the show. A nice touch would have been to include all the extras that were included with the box sets for each of those seasons.
+ Charlie Craine
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