cult classic: buffy the vampire slayer

cynics and die-hards may scoff, but the 1992 cinematic version of buffy the vampire slayer is one of those charming early creations that almost succeed their latter, cooler counterparts. set in a cushy californian suburb unharmed by bush sr.'s colossal economic mess, the film follows head cheerleader buffy (played wonderfully by the energetic yet mysteriously invisible kristy swanson) as she goes from planning the senior dance to killing off the local vampires, mixing a brilliant blend of teenage satire and horror movie stereotypes to a nice screwball romp. yes, purists, i get that sarah michelle gellar's buffy is the kick-ass-sass-queen-with-a-heart-of-gold, but kristy swanson's portrayal of buffy as a self-absorbed-valley-tart-turned-confused-slayer is less quirky and more approachable.

besides, this is a film rife with social commentary as buffy veers away from her upper-middle-class friends, who don't understand that she is the one saving their contempo casual'd asses from death, and begins deeply caring not only for her middle-aged fed-up guide merrick (donald sutherland) but also a wrong-sider (luke perry, in one of his truly attractive roles) whose best friend has been transformed into a vampire. most importantly, this film doesn't take itself too seriously and allows you to laugh yet also get sentimental about the main characters, which is not so easy in today's movieworld. surprisingly enough, this movie also birthed a slew of future stars such as ben affleck, hilary swank, and david arquette and managed to poke in a few veterans like paul reubens (mr. pee-wee herman himself!). with thousands of memorable quotes and the kind of humor that diablo cody tried so hard to encapsulate in that megan fox flop, buffy is a frothy candy-coated nightmare wrapped up in flannel shirts and alternative rock.