BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER

SYNOPSIS: A flighty teenage girl learns that she is her generation's destined battler of vampires. After training under the watchful eye of a mentor, she becomes a spandex-wearing, kung-fu kicking, stake-stabbing babe and the mortal enemy of a narcissistic master vampire.

BOTTOM LINE: I know there are thousands of Buffy fans out there that think this film is an abomination, including the man who wrote it. It was supposed to be a serious tale, much like the television series it helped spawn. I, however, find this version to be a delightful, if somewhat silly flick that has a great sense of humor and a descent level of suspense. Kristy Swanson is a little too dim to be believable as the slayer, but the supporting cast, especially Reubens and Sutherland, more than make up for her silliness. There are some serious lulls in the story, but the action and the one-liners more than make up for it. Sutherland and Swanson actually have a good rapport as mentor and student, giving the film some of it's more amusing moments. Swanson almost pulls off the kick-butt attitude of the world's only vampire slayer, but it seems her character is more concerned about the next clothing sale than ridding the world of evil. It's hard to believe the vampires would consider her much of a threat, thereby cutting the film off at the knees before it's barely begun. I think this was also to be Luke Perry's big break into the film world, but he really isn't given much to do here that would warrent special attention. BUFFY is a mindless, and occasionally fun, way to pass the time. Fans of the series should avoid this like the plague.