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

Rating: - One just can't describe the genius and wonder of Buffy...
I ordered this set about a month ago after being highly encouraged by friends. I'm quite open-minded and have a huge range of taste, so I made the dive. Boy, was it the right move.

The key to greatness like Buffy is what lies beneath. Just as [in my opinion] Lost is not entirely about the island, and 24 is not entirely about terrorism/government affairs, Buffy is not really about vampires and demons and such. After watching this show, it's quite unfortunate how so many can mislabel it as a teen show or a silly vampire fest. This show is about growing up, facing inner demons that are as real for the characters as they are for those of us who can relate; it's also about the impossible choices one must make at certain points in life. It's about love that seems so right and justified and proper, but love that simply cannot continue due to circumstances that even the very powerful cannot control. It's about alienation, redemption, discovering one's purpose... I could go on and on. With all that heavy description, however, I'd be a fool to dismiss the hilarity that consistently lifts the show even higher.

I grabbed this set when it was about $100, which I still cannot believe. Even at $200 it would be a steal. The extras are quite fantastic, there are season overviews, plenty of featurettes and more. The highlight for me, however, are the passionate commentaries by Joss Whedon. You can just feel it in his voice, his love and commitment for the show and the simultaneous learning curve that he felt resulted in some misses and then the wondrous achievements that came about as he and crew got their groove.

10/10

---

Rating: - Joss Whedon is brilliant!
Who would have thought that a show dealing with a blond chick fighting vampires and demons would be such a success? Buffy is definitely an amazing show and the character development is amazing. I highly suggest this box set.

---

Rating: - One the greatest series ever in a quite disappointing set
It's quite difficult to say nothing new or original about this series, ofter considered one of the best written on tv history. Four years after its cacellation still have a huge fandom base and new admirers discover [and love] it every day on cable or DVD.

Even owning R2 Spain individual seasons on DVD, I got this collector's set because, as a convinced Whedon fan, I knew there's some differences between R2 an R1 editions:

- R2 aspect ratio is widescreen (and transfer is anamorphic) from season 4. But this is not what was intended from creators, with the exception of s6e07, "Once More, with Feeling", which was conceived in glorious widescreen. As you can see on screen more than intended, there some visual [and acting] goofs and some cinematography and specially framing effects are ruined.

- R1 has the correct AR but that particular episode [s6e07] is transfered letterboxed.

- Even considering poorer standard NTSC quality agaist PAL, R2 transfers are far better.

- R1's "previously" teasers have been removed, ruining some dramatic elements, for example [and specially] in s5e22, "The Gift"

- Some featurettes, specially easter eggs and DVD-ROM contentes are missing in R2 Spain edition (not in other european sets, as for example UK)

- 40th disc contents aren't as great as expected, which is quite disappointing: any subtitle available [R1 extras are usually unsubtitled], and same old, same regular featurettes as in the regular seasons

Conclusions:

- if you want the better transfer and picture quality, understand english [or can read english subtitles] and have multiregion cappabilities got the R2 UK set.

- if you want a experience similar to original broadcast, got this R1 set

- if you live outside the US or your language isn't english, your local edition should be OK, this set hasn't anything that new or interesting.

- and if you're a die-hard Whedon fan as me, got both your home edition anr this!

---

Rating: - AWESOME!
This collectors set was just as described!!! Shipping was super fast and I am super satisfied!

---

Rating: - love it!
i am a big fan and i love this collection, a definate must have for any buffy fan