mllelaurel (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
mllelaurel) wrote2006-06-28 07:27 pm
mllelaurel) wrote2006-06-28 07:27 pm
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Finally saw the infamous original Buffy pilot.
I won't talk about special effects/music/etc, as I can understand doing this on no budget. I do, however, have a few things to say on the acting and characterization.
First off, the WB has made more than one decision best described as 'wack'. However, I'm 100% behind them on Willow's recasting. To be blunt, the original actress was bad. Very bad. She seemed zoned-out, like she was thinking about what she wanted for lunch, even when talking about dead guy found in locker, or being attacked by a vampire. No, seriously, during the vampire attack, she just stood there till they cued her next scream. She didn't have any of the strength or warmth that Alyson Hannigan would bring to Willow's character right from episode 1.
I do acknowledge, however, that the lines she had to work with didn't help, painting Willow as an utterly submissive and fire-less character. Even with Buffy and Xander.
Speaking of Xander - out of everyone, Nicholas Brendan did by far the best job. He was very much the Xander we got to know, and the screen lit up every time he was on.
Buffy was pretty good. Sarah Michelle Gellar would hone her act by the time the real pilot aired, not to mention have more to work with, but her performance was recognizable.
Cordelia may have had a teeny part, but Charisma Carpenter made it her own. She really seemed to be having fun.
Giles... here, we come to another pratfall. Anthony Stewart Head did a good job with what he had, but what he had... Oi. Instead of being a little stiff and pleasantly laconic ("The Earth is doomed"), this Giles is downright emotionally abusive toward Buffy. "The safety of the Earth is in the hands of this...teenage thing?" Excuse me? If I was Buffy, I'd walk out right there, without so much as a 'fuck you'. This is not the man whose admitted worst fear by the end of the season was Buffy's death. Again, where's the warmth? Only this time, the script was to blame.
The concept also lacked Angel's part (though David Boreanaz had already been cast), as well as Jesse, or a significant villain (just a crew of random-ass vamps, with this version of Darla getting vaporized by a cross - something no vampire had ever succumbed to on the real show, I might add.)
In conclusion, I'm glad this 30 minute concept tape sold the show to the WB, but I can totally understand why Whedon has since vehemently disowned it.
I won't talk about special effects/music/etc, as I can understand doing this on no budget. I do, however, have a few things to say on the acting and characterization.
First off, the WB has made more than one decision best described as 'wack'. However, I'm 100% behind them on Willow's recasting. To be blunt, the original actress was bad. Very bad. She seemed zoned-out, like she was thinking about what she wanted for lunch, even when talking about dead guy found in locker, or being attacked by a vampire. No, seriously, during the vampire attack, she just stood there till they cued her next scream. She didn't have any of the strength or warmth that Alyson Hannigan would bring to Willow's character right from episode 1.
I do acknowledge, however, that the lines she had to work with didn't help, painting Willow as an utterly submissive and fire-less character. Even with Buffy and Xander.
Speaking of Xander - out of everyone, Nicholas Brendan did by far the best job. He was very much the Xander we got to know, and the screen lit up every time he was on.
Buffy was pretty good. Sarah Michelle Gellar would hone her act by the time the real pilot aired, not to mention have more to work with, but her performance was recognizable.
Cordelia may have had a teeny part, but Charisma Carpenter made it her own. She really seemed to be having fun.
Giles... here, we come to another pratfall. Anthony Stewart Head did a good job with what he had, but what he had... Oi. Instead of being a little stiff and pleasantly laconic ("The Earth is doomed"), this Giles is downright emotionally abusive toward Buffy. "The safety of the Earth is in the hands of this...teenage thing?" Excuse me? If I was Buffy, I'd walk out right there, without so much as a 'fuck you'. This is not the man whose admitted worst fear by the end of the season was Buffy's death. Again, where's the warmth? Only this time, the script was to blame.
The concept also lacked Angel's part (though David Boreanaz had already been cast), as well as Jesse, or a significant villain (just a crew of random-ass vamps, with this version of Darla getting vaporized by a cross - something no vampire had ever succumbed to on the real show, I might add.)
In conclusion, I'm glad this 30 minute concept tape sold the show to the WB, but I can totally understand why Whedon has since vehemently disowned it.
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I'm babbling, but yes. Agree wholeheartedly.
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*waits* *waits*
Ahha.
Haven't seen it, but I'll go to the link you posted in another comment. Just. Sounds wow.
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ANYWAY, my friend Kristy hadn't seen the old pilot, so we watched it, and ya know, there were some things that were just ugh like having no Ally to play Willow (btw, I don't loath the first gal, but she was kinda... not quirky enough... She'd probably have been pretty bland, although she might've gotten better as time went on). But some of those parts I actually wished were in the original pilot actually. But oh well. It was fun and amusing. Also I actually got to hold something Buffy related over my friend! "Well I have the original unaired pilot!" She hadn't seen it, though she'd seen a couple screenshots, mostly of original Willow.
And I agree that I'm glad it still sold the concept to the WB. I can see why all choices were made such as taking the show, redoing the pilot, and recasting Willow. All good choices.
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