DVD : Buffy The Vampire Slayer - Collector's Set (40 discs)

Rating: - Great collection for Buffy fans
Great collection. The list of Joss Whedon's favorite episodes was a fun bonus and the extra's DVD is great. The menus change format slightly from season to season which is slightly confusing but other than that it's a great collection for any Buffy fan. The front-opening box format is great for not having to pull it off the shelf to get the next season out.

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Rating: - Classic Collection
I've owned each season of Buffy since first release, and at this price I'm tempted to buy it again just to have a library set whilst lending out the other to friends and family. I can't imagine too many people are coming to this series new, but I envy those who are. The entire series is well worth 5 stars, but I've always thought the first season to be weaker than the rest, and there is little to be lost in starting with season two and then backfilling with the dozen season one episodes at a later date.

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Rating: - Not a fan yet? Well, you should be.
While you're reading this, keep in mind that I'm gearing my review towards people who aren't necessarily huge Buffy fans yet - perhaps the kind of people that have always had a slight interest in the show, but weren't really old enough to get into the show when it originally aired. I was 10 when it started; I was into Rocco's Modern Life, not vampire dramadies.

Having recently become a rabid follower of primetime dramas, I can rest assured in saying that Buffy holds its own to all the shows that are currently front runners with critics and fans alike (shows that will probably be outdated and laughable in a few years). Buffy doesn't get repetitive and agonizingly drawn out like Lost. Plot devices don't repeat and become stale, as in 24, which was a great show in its first 2 seasons. As a result, the seasons of Buffy do NOT lost their repeat value. For instance, I can only watch an episode Family Guy once; any future viewings of the same episode bore me to death within the first 5 minutes. Even in the first two seasons of 24, there isn't much repeat value because the show isn't really layered.

As for Buffy, I could watch the show over, and over, and over, and over..... and never get sick of it. Now, if you're not really a big Buffy fan but are interested in this box set - or even if you just want to fill in the gaps of episodes you haven't seen - trust me when I say that you don't have to be a sci-fi/vampire/monster/etc fan to be able to enjoy this. Of course, all of that is in this show. Vampires galore; weird, creepier-than-Jabba the Hutt monsters, witchcraft and magic all have their place in just about every episode. BUT, every episode also has a "real-life meaning" as well as a fair mix of humor and melodrama (well, to be fair, there's not that much melodrama).

Simply put, if you want to watch a show that treats its audience with a little respect, Buffy may be the only show you'll ever need to watch. Joss and co don't treat their audience as sheep and that's a nice feeling. Plus, if you love talking to your friends about the shows you love - look no further. Buffy allows for many avenues of discussion that will be sure to keep your conversations going.

As for the actual complete series box set, it's probably a 4-star; the only reason I don't give it 5 is because the folders that hold the seasons are kind of difficult to remove. Either you have to completely remove the top folders to get to to lower ones, or you have to hold up the top folders (which may dull the edges). Not a big complaint though. The box looks nice on a shelf; it's kind of shiny and the colors really jump at you.

The bonus disc is actually really cool. There's an hour long interview with Joss, some writers and cast members. There are other interviews/features which dive into some of the academic and/or technical aspects of the show. The other special features that can be found withing each season are nice as well. One of these is, if I'm not mistaken, an A&E documentary on the earlier seasons of the show, featuring cast interviews and clips from the show. There are also a few featurettes which give set tours, make-up details, and other behind-the-scenes footage.

The episode guide is a nice addition, but I didn't find myself using it very often. For the most part, I've been watching the episodes in order (even after having finished the entire series). However, whenever I do want to find a specific episode, the booklet makes it easy to find. The back of each season folder lists the episodes as well.

I bought this set having NEVER seen an entire episode, and as far as I'm concerned I've never been more pleased with anything I've previously purchased.

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Rating: - If you like realising you need to pick your jaw up off the floor...
More than ten years. Can it be that long? Nothing, and I mean nothing weathers this well! Bar none, best series of all time!!! Sorry Rod Serling...

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Rating: - when the price dropped to $99 again i could not pass it up.
Being a long time fan of the show and not having owned any of the single season dvd releases, this set was a nice buy for me.

I will admit I was a bit nervous about the purchase after reading several unsatisfied reviews about smashed cases, smashes boxes, scratched dvds
so on and so forth...

I am pleased to report that when it came in the mail the box was in mint condition, none of the discs were scratched and i am through the first season with zero problems.

I am very pleased with my purchase.

note: I generally only buy widescreen movies on account of the tv I have. This set not being wide screen doesn't bother me like some of the others who have reviewed poorly.