My thoughts on Sarah Michelle Gellar, having never seen her as Buffy.

[JustToClarify]

Action scenes are far from Gellar's best work. Her drama scenes are probably the highlight. She is among the top actresses of our time IMO. You'll really enjoy her in BtVS 🙂

They probably are, but with my limited experience with her, there are times during her dramatic performances that she comes across as lacking emotion slightly. I'm sure Buffy is going to entirely change my opinion of her though - I think she'll really excel on the drama side of things too.

SMG is hands down one of the best actresses of her generation, to compete with Kate Winslet in my opinion. Too bad she's typecast. If you give her time to work on a character she can really work magics.

I think this is why I didn't enjoy her work in Ringer quite as much as her other performances. Since she had to play two separate characters, I don't think she got an opportunity to develop or grow into either persona.

I have mentioned in a few posts that I don't think she ever put a foot wrong in 'Buffy', but most (not all) of what she is known for outside of BtVS is fairly insubstantial. On the bright side, it does mean that anyone watching her as Buffy is going to have their socks blown off if they have only seen her in other things. Enjoy!

I'm really looking forward to seeing her performance as Buffy. Your post has made me anticipate her much more than I was previously. 🙂

Sarah Michelle Gellar is Buffy Summers. They are linked in absolutely every way in my mind. I find that is half the problem when I see her in other roles; if she is running away or being attacked my mind just keeps screaming "KICK THEM IN THE HEAD ALREADY!".

Hopefully I'll be as convinced once I begin watching the series. I always find it difficult watching an actor play a different part after seeing them as a long-running character. Seeing Courteney Cox in Cougar Town or Jennifer Love Hewitt post-Ghost Whisperer was pretty odd. It takes some time to get used to it either way. 🙂

"I am going to really, really enjoy seeing Gellar in the role of Buffy Summers. The series itself contains a large quantity of action scenes - which, from what I've seen, offer some of Gellar's greatest performances"

Don't know why "action scenes" would even be a consideration for judging the acting ability for any performer. Some of the greatest actors and actress have never be involved with any action filled scenes.

I think that if you really want to make a value judgement on SMG and her interpretation and performances in the series you should go into it without any preconceived notions about a style of film and how that equates to her acting abilities and on the series.

I would also hope that you can leave behind any of the controversery about "shipper" - both stories are so very different and yet very connected - it makes for an extremely interesting story and character exploration and great drama.

It's great that you will be seeing the series for the first time - I don't know anyone who has not been into the Buffyverse and Angelverse for a long time. Look forward to reading your ideas about the series and all the characters.

I probably did word that sentence incorrectly - I didn't intend for it to come across like I was judging Gellar based entirely on her action sequences. I'm fully convinced, as I mentioned, that she is also excellent in dramatic scenes, and that she can convey emotions very well. My comments about her action scenes offering some of her best performances were meant to imply that I feel she was more consistently good with action scenes, as she can come across as lacking in the emotional-side of things at times. Still, I'm confident that she's excellent in both departments.

I wish that I could go into the series without any preconceived notions, but I think it's difficult nowadays to truly go into such a well-established entity without expecting something in particular from it. I'm going to be as neutral as I possibly can - I know that whatever ideals or imperfections I'm expecting are likely to be non-representational of the actual product. I'll be watching the series premiere with an open-mind.

Thanks for the encouragement, I'll be sure to post my impressions of the series as I make my way through. 🙂

 

[white avenger]

Yeah, I've spoken to people about this. I think I might try and get Angel before I finish season three of Buffy. Thanks. 🙂

I meant to say that just about all of the really relevant crossovers took place during Season 4/Season 1 of "Buffy" and "Angel," respectively, after which "Buffy" changed networks, and they became much fewer, and not really necessary to see both series' episodes until Faith returns in Season 7/Season 4.

 

[JustToClarify]

My previous perception of 'Buffy,' and what changed it

Can I ask, why did you decide to watch Buffy? What is the show to you?

I'm always fascinated to hear how the show is perceived by those who have never seen it.

Here's my previous perception of Buffy (I apologise beforehand):

A lot of people have shown an interest into why I have decided to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer now, especially since I know so little about the series. Before I give you the reason as to why I'll be watching the show, I thought I should tell you what my perception of it was up until a few months ago. Before I begin, I'd like to apologise to fans of Buffy for my previous, heinous naivety.

I have to admit that I'm quite annoyed at myself for my treatment of the Buffy franchise up until recently. Despite never having seen an episode of the series, I had a pretty negative opinion of the entity. I judged it completely based on its name alone (a trait which I despise) - I thought it was going to be a quirky Nineties show with little-to-no actual fun involved. The title gave me the impression that it was an overly-humourous, pretentious, girl-power fiasco. I assumed that the writing would be trite and forced, that the acting would be funny in all the wrong ways, and that the action would be filled with horrendous one-liners and cheap stunts.

Then, I came across something that completely altered my opinion of the series. I believe it was around October 2011 that the complete series box-set of Buffy was released in entirely new-packaging in Europe. I was on a shopping website and decided to take a look at it, just out of curiosity. I began reading the reviews for the box-set, and was amazed by the fans of the show. They seemed to display genuine, truthful, objective, and loyal adoration of the series. It didn't come across as overly-rude towards those who didn't enjoy the show. It didn't seem outlandish or forced love. Simply, it didn't seem like they were 'fanboys,' for the desperate want of a better word.

I began to read more and more from the show's fans, and became increasingly impressed with their arguments about why the series is so great. I can't remember any specific details about the storylines, but I know that the points put across were noteworthy, well-written and fair - they knew that there were some problems with the series (an overall lackluster first season, for example).

After I discovered this unique and, to be blunt, astounding fanbase, it quickly became apparent that I had atrociously misjudged the franchise and that it was clearly a completely different entity from what I had previously thought. I knew that I wanted to watch the series, that I wanted to be a part of this community, but I had numerous other shows to watch at the time, so I put it off for a couple of months. Those 'couple of months' end in a few days.

There we go then. Again, my apologies to all of the Buffy fans for my previous ignorant stance on the series - I hope you can take some solace in the fact that it was you that changed my opinion, and I thank you for that.

 

[Ms.Trick]

About the title, Joss says

😀

 

[JustToClarify]

About the title, Joss says

😀

That's actually pretty cool, I never looked at it like that before. Thanks. 🙂

 

[VisionGirl]

Lol- [MENTION=10288]Ms.Trick[/MENTION], I was going to reference that interview specifically in my response! Jose states that the network wanted him to change the name. But the name is par of the point- its the exact type of irony he strives for. Someone named "Buffy" shouldn't be a supernaturally strong, kick-ass young woman! But part of the problem Is how the networks marketed the show. I only caught some I the last season as it aired, but when I watch the WB & UPN promos, they really seem to play up the comedy element. But the series is about so much more than that, & it's one I the things I love about it. And that's the difference between the series & the movie, as you & I ah e already discussed. The movie is almost pure camp, while the series combines brilliant wit with great action & often tragic drama.

As far as the fandom, I have to note that I was a bit worried when I joined here. I've never been a part of a fandom before, and I'm quite a bit older than the average member on BB. I wondered if I would relate. But what I've found had been an impressive group of intelligent and well-read & well-written folks, no matter what age!

Just go into it knowing this:

BANGEL. It's the superior ship.

That is all.

(I'm fairly certain that would be a non-spoiler if you've ventured onto here. My apologies if it isn't. But it is the best ship.)

I can't rep you anymore today my friend, so I just have to chime in that "Bangel is forever!!" 😀. Seriously though I agree with the member who said that both/all the relationships in the series are important and fun to watch. So I may have my prederne DS & that's fun, but the series wouldn't be the same without the rest of the ships (well, most of them- there's a few I could do without).

One last word of advice (and then I'll leave you alone so you remain spoiler free)

The fashion has NOT aged well. Please don't let that hinder you. Cause a lot of it is hideous.

I look forward to following your blog!

LOL- and that reminds me of that Buffy Fashion Roulette blog! But [MENTION=11924]JustToClarify[/MENTION], don't read it yet.

Sarah Michelle Gellar is Buffy Summers. They are linked in absolutely every way in my mind. I find that is half the problem when I see her in other roles; if she is running away or being attacked my mind just keeps screaming "KICK THEM IN THE HEAD ALREADY!".

Yes. I'm watching Ringer, but I have mixed feelings about the show & SMG's acting in it. Her performance in Buffy is far superior.