#2 Buffy's takes on Hollywood

    I couldn’t help but notice the satirical references to the film industry in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.   Even the opening scene is poking fun at Hollywood.   In the scene, one of the main characters mutters, “That's right big boy, come and get it,” just before fighting with a vampire.   The killing of the vampire is unsuccessful due to poor coordination, clumsiness and the characters’ apparent lack of experience at monster killing.   However, the novice vampire hunters go on to talk about how the kill was butchered, not because of their low ability levels, but because of the lack of a better pun or a clever one-liner.   It actually makes reference as to how Buffy, the character the show is based on (and exponentially more skilled at these types of tasks than the rookies in the scene), always makes a witty remark before taking out one of her foes.
    Another stab at popular cinema, was a typical Hollywood action scene gone wrong.   The bad guy is getting away, but wait! The protagonist has a way of stopping the villain.   Everyone already knows what’s going to happen.   The creature will be on his way to sweet freedom, when a perfectly thrown stake ends his escape.   In Buffy, as the vampire breaks free and takes off running, the camera zooms in on the protagonist.   His eyes focus as he lines up the shot.   The music climaxes just as he releases the stake and...fail.   The stake crashes harmlessly into a nearby rock, not even coming close to it’s intended target.   Meanwhile, the vampire runs off into the darkness unharmed.
    I thought Buffy’s spin on these elements from popular media was creative and entertaining.   Most action movies have a protagonist that will either taunt an enemy before fighting, or mock them after they are victorious.   Of those movies, some do have very memorable punch lines or catchphrases.   Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry, and Bruce Willis in the Die Hard movies are the first examples of this that come to mind.   Not all movies have the same success with this kind of humor, and the one-liner seems forced or unnecessary.  Did you hear that Arnold?   This episode of Buffy was unique because it acknowledged this trend and even called itself out on it.

“Anne.” Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season 3. Writ. Joss Whedon. Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. 1999. Online. Hulu. 30 March 2011.