Average Rating: 
Rating:  - "The music of pain." (or at least adolescence)
For a first time screenwriter, Joss Whedon's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" was a good effort for a feature film. I thought for sure the series was going to tank. When I started watching halfway through the first season, I quickly found that I was wrong. "Buffy" simply blossoms on television. I've been hooked ever since.For the first time, Whedon has provided us with all the terrors of high school (remember those?) in a horror genre setting. Not only that, but he provides a confident, cool FEMALE character to trounce the bad guys. Whether you're a fan of the genre or a teenage feminist, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) provides a niche for the unpopular misfits in high school, but looks upon them as heroes. Were you as uncomfortable as Xander (Nicholas Brendon)? As geeky as Willow (Alyson Hannigan)? As quick with an aphorism as Oz (Seth Green)? The series proves that high school is indeed survivable no matter who you are, even if you're cliquish Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter). And in the end, the more unpopular you were - possibly the more important you were to your teenage community. Mix in your favorite teacher (or librarian) played by Anthony Stewart Head (who should play "Doctor Who" after he's done with "Buffy") to be the requisite horror genre British pseudo-scientist, and Buffy's single mom (Kristine Sutherland) and you're all set to go with the most intelligent sci-fi TV series possibly written for this age group. (The next closest thing being the intelligent, yet non-sf "Freaks & Geeks".) I'm not kidding. It's amazing how quickly these characters grow in the first season and their responses remain true to life despite the extraordinary situations they're thrown into. Creator Joss Whedon has become one of the most talented writer/directors working in the industry today, despite the fact that "Buffy" is most of what he's been doing for the last five years. As far as what you get in this box set, you're in for a treat. This is the full first season, not just the half previously released on VHS; including the season finale "Prophecy Girl" - where we see just how heroic Buffy really is, despite her adolescence and fear of death. Also present throughout the series are teenage issues of emotional/sexual conflict ("Teacher's Pet") and problems with acceptance ("The Pack"). Specific highlights also include Whedon's commentary for the two part premiere as well as the first appearances of Angel (David Boreanaz) and Jenny Calendar (Robia LaMorte). Remember, Buffy's not JUST about vampires. In fact I think it's safe to say that vampires are secondary to the emotional undercurrent of the show, if not a particular episode's plot. Forget "Felicity" and shove off of "Dawson's Creek", this is the one for the adults.
Rating:  - One of the best shows on television
It's about time; with Buffy, the Vampire Slayer alreading in its 6th season, US fans have long been waiting for the release of earlier seasons on DVD. Finally our patience is rewarded.This set contains all 12 episodes of the first season (it was a mid-season replacement and thus had only 12 episodes in its first season) plus interviews with Joss Whedon(creator) and David Boreanaz(actor who plays Angel), a photo gallery, original tv series trailer, and commentary by Joss Whedon on the first two episodes "Welcome to the Hellmouth" and "The Harvest." The Episodes: Excellent-- Buffy, the Complete First season is a must for any Buffy fan or for any genre fan who has not watched the show before but wants to begin at the beginning. This original and amazingly literate series is not to be missed. Extras: Good--The interviews with Joss Whedon and David Boreanaz are the same ones from the vhs packs previously released in the US. The original trailer is fun to see, and the photo gallery is fine, but mostly promo shots we've all seen before. The best feature is the commentary. Joss Whedon does a great job of interjecting interesting and amusing comments while reviewing the first two episodes. Commentary can be hilarious or dull depending on who's providing it. Joss Whedon manages to be both informative and silly at times providing a middle-ground that works quite well, especially given that this was his first crack at commentary. Picture quality: Fair--The episodes were originally shot on 16mm. The lighting, art direction, and cinematography go along way to disguising this, but you can't escape the graininess at times. Sound quality: Good--There's an occassional hiccup in the sound on a couple of episodes. That may be a manufacturing error or it might just be my copy. Price: Excellent--Full seasons of tv shows on DVD can be horrifically pricy (e.g. The X-Files). At [the price]..., the Buffy complete first season is an amazing deal even with it's half season of only 12 episodes. The original VHS 3 packs (6 episodes) were priced the same. We'll just have to wait and see if they maintain their decent pricing structure when Season 2 (full 22 ep season) is released this summer.
Rating: - One of the best fantasy/sci-fi series of all time
It's hard to beat Buffy. Now in its sixth season, this series has proven time and again to be one of the best acted, superbly written and well directed drama series of all time.
Finally, fans have a chance to acquire the show on DVD, complete with commentaries from show creator Joss Whedon. Available in Britain for some time, this DVD has been delayed reportedly due to a conflict with the cable network FX, which has just started broadcasting the series in syndication.
For non-Buffy fans, this collection of DVDs is where you start. For Buffy fans, seriously, how can you resist?
The show starts with one of the better premieres of any program, "Welcome to the Hellmouth" and "The Harvest" -- two excellent episodes that introduce Buffy and her loyal companions Xander and Willow, and blow away any comparison to the mediocre movie.
I won't argue that this is Buffy's best season, mostly because it is a show that gets constantly better. And other seasons, like the second and third, have better villains. But this DVD showcases a great start, and lays the groundwork for everything to come.
Included in the DVD is "Angel" which explains the origins of Buffy's true love, and "Nightmares," where everyone's worst fear is realized (and a killer of an episode not least for Buffy's nightmare -- turning into a vampire herself). Last but not least is "Prophecy Girl," where an ancient prophecy reveals that Buffy is fated to die in her war against the Master.
And the show's start even reveals tidbits of information not fully explored until later episodes, and other series. Note that Darla -- Angel's sire and original bad girl of Sunnydale -- gets her start in the first season. Upon seeing her, Angel remarks, "The last time I saw you, you were wearing kimonos." Later episodes of Buffy's spinoff series, Angel, show that very scene, where she is indeed in a kimono.
Its a nice change from other series, which forget the background comments as soon as they are spoken.
Its impossible to say enough great things about the series. I don't watch that much TV, but everyone I've introduced this show has been hooked.
I wholeheartedly recommend that you purchase these DVDs and experience the show for yourself. Buy it for a friend at Christmas, or just take it home yourself -- you won't be sorry.
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