DVD Review: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 3

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Season 3 DVD

20th Century Fox / 6 Discs - 22 One-Hour Episodes
Street Date: January 7th, 2003. Retail Price: $59.98 / Street Price: ~$40

Review by Alex Mestas 12/09/02

More info: www.buffydvd.com

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I think I'm a good candidate to review this set on DVD. I've seen the first two seasons on DVD but nothing else. Of course, I know about the major milestones of the series (Willow is a what? Neat!), but I certainly don't know where the show's dramatic arc is bending. Every episode is new and interesting to me. So when I learned I could review the latest season, I jumped at the chance. I just couldn't wait to find out what happened next.

So, how do you follow a developing cult hit, with rabid fans and two solid seasons under its belt? By making an impressive, emotional and altogether more ass-kicking third season. Unlike the other two seasons, Buffy is filled with much more emotion and brooding. From the first episode we are given a gloomy Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), introspective and pissed off, working as a waitress named 'Anne.' Fundamentally, the girl has a lot to be down about. Last season, she killed her vampire-boyfriend (to stop the end of the world, of course) and left home because she was causing so much destruction. You'd be grumpy too if you had that much heaviness to deal with. Willow, Xander, Oz, Cordelia and even Giles get on the angst-train too. They mope about, date amongst themselves and deal with the ever worsening situation in Sunnydale.

Probably the most exciting development for fans of the third season was the introduction of Bad-Slayer-Hottie Faith (Eliza Dushku). Watching the yin and yang Slayers butt heads and eventually battle it out was one of the highlights of the entire series so far.

The cast, as usual, is fantastic. Sarah Michelle Gellar brings a lot of emotional depth to Buffy - her performance here is much stronger than the previous two season. The rest of the now-film-vet cast are strong as well with Alyson Hannigan, Nicholas Brendon, Charisma Carpenter, Seth Green, David Boreanaz and Anthony Stewart Head all putting in very dramatic (and usually very funny) performances as the rest of the 'Slayer' gang.

Like The X-Files, Buffy is best when it explores the legacy and continuing world of the Hellmouth. Early in the third season, the show slowly begins to establish the machinations of the mayor in preparation for his 'ascension.' This is done with a subtlety not often seen in an action-dramedy. We never really have the moment where the mayor proclaims to the audience, "This is my evil plan!" It just happens organically. And unlike most other series, when the season finally comes to its explosive conclusion, you feel like the characters and the town have been changed for good and that the show will be fundamentally different from here on out.

Video - 4.5 out of 5
The show's budget was increased in the third season, meaning the visual effects, makeup and general look of the show are unparalleled in most of network television. The colors and blacks are much richer over previous seasons - it looks like the third season is the first year they began to shoot on 35mm over grainy 16mm. This definitely gives the show a more dramatic edge and the transfer from film to video seems to hold up here. The attractive, but hard and long to navigate menus from last season's box set has been abandoned for a more static version. I prefer this over the other, only because it's quicker and easier to get to the shows.
Technical - Video: Episodes are shown in their original 1.33:1 full frame aspect ratio.

Audio - 4 out of 5
The stereo track is nice and clear with a few panning effects. It's as good as you can expect with a television show. I must note that the music for this season is exceptional. It's really one of the best scores (especially towards the end of the season) that I can remember hearing.
Technical Audio: Dolby 2.0 English and French tracks.

Extras 4 out of 5
Considering the fairly universal exclusion of extras on television releases, fans of the show will be happy to note that the newest Buffy box set comes with some interesting extras. Along with commentaries on select episodes, you also get several featurettes covering makeup effects, visual effects, wardrobe and weapons. Also included are three scripts, biographies and a photo gallery.

Content and Packaging 4 out of 5
Six discs in a gatefold holder and a slip case. I really love the boxes for Buffy. The art is nice and dark and it fits well on my shelf.

Overall 4.5 out of 5
If you're a fan of the show, you've probably already ordered this set. For everyone else, I highly recommend you take in the first two seasons and then give this one a spin. You'll come away knowing why there are so many devoted fans (like Howard Stern!) The reason is pretty simple. It's one of the best shows on television.

More information: www.buffydvd.com