(late) thoughts on the Buffy reboot

*X-posted from The Writer's Notebook*


By now, most of us die-hard Joss/Buffy fans have heard the news about the Buffy reboot. I know I'm a little late to the blogging party, but between teaching and lack of internet, I haven't had time to really sit down and write about this whole thing. So here goes:

I too am marching in the "Anti-Buffy Reboot" parade. Why? Well, to summarize, leave a good thing alone. But there's more to it for me than that. I think the show ran its course in several ways:

1) Characters/Char arcs: I, personally, was happy with the way Buffy wrapped up. I was sad to see it go, but I think the story and the characters had completed their journey. (Yes, I know about the Season 8 comics. I've read 2...wasn't impressed. I've heard more about some of the storylines and well, I am not terribly motivated to read more, sadly). I feel like all the characters got to nice "end" points in their lives where we could leave them and 'write our own ending' in some ways. For me, Buffy went on to have a more normal life with her friends, maybe occasionally fighting vampires and such. Xander continued with his job. Dawn grew up even more and helped out Buffy from time to time. You get the idea. Perhaps that's too "boring" but I mean after 7 years of what they faced, wouldn't YOU want a break too?

2) Nobody does it better--casting. I can't see anyone else playing any of the main characters as well as SMG, Nicky Brenden, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Head, et all played them. I just can't. Those actors WERE those roles for 7 years. For me, they became those characters--not just actors playing them. Each actor brought new levels of emotion, humor, drama, and so forth to their parts over the years of the show. I recently watched the show all the way from the beginning (for the first time on dvd) (and yes, that will probably be the subject of a near future blog entry) and it is amazing how the actors grew into their roles season by season--how the roles/characters changed and grew along the way. The actors made it feel very natural--nothing seemed contrived or forced for the most part. Rarely did they act 'out of character' unless there was a specific reason for it. So to see a new shiny cast try to fill those shoes? I think it would be a disaster. Plus what would be the purpose of "starting from scratch" when such a large story has already come full circle? I just don't see a point.

3) Go Joss or Go Home! Whedon created those characters and their universe. He did so with great care. Honestly, who else's hands could shape a movie/show like he did? Joss Whedon seems to be a master of writing and bringing together eclectic characters. Not many writers/directors/etc can do that. I just don't know of anyone with his level of sheer genius that could handle the task.

4) Remakes and Sequels--they never end well. I've seen many-a-reboot/remake etc in my time (ok in my short 25 years). 9 times out of 10, they are AWFUL or not as good as the original (i.e. Bridget Jones' Diary, The Matrix trilogy). Leave a good thing alone, I say.


Those are my main thoughts on the subject. Ultimately, what Hollywood wants, Hollywood will probably get....but I won't support it.