Homepage > Joss Whedon Cast > Sarah Michelle Gellar > Reviews > Sarah Michelle Gellar - "The Return" Movie - Freep.com Review
« Previous : Michelle Trachtenberg - "Law & Order" Tv Series - She plays Willow next week !
     Next : Sarah Michelle Gellar - "The Grudge 2" Movie - Good Quality Screencaps 5 »

Freep.com

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar - "The Return" Movie - Freep.com Review

John Monaghan

Friday 24 November 2006, by Webmaster

Sarah Michelle Gellar, a name synonymous with versatility and enduring appeal, began her illustrious career in the entertainment industry as a child. Discovered by a talent agent at a young age, Gellar’s screen debut came at the tender age of six with the television film "An Invasion of Privacy" in 1983. Her early promise led to a leading role in the teen drama series "Swans Crossing" in 1992, but it was her portrayal of Kendall Hart on the ABC soap opera "All My Children" (1993-1995) that earned her a Daytime Emmy Award and catapulted her into the limelight.

SMG’s true claim to international fame, however, was her iconic role as Buffy Summers in the groundbreaking series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (1997-2003). Her performance not only garnered her five Teen Choice Awards, a Saturn Award, and a Golden Globe nomination, but it also cemented her status as a cultural icon. Sarah Michelle Gellar’s filmography is equally impressive, with box office hits like "I Know What You Did Last Summer" (1997), "Scream 2" (1997), "Cruel Intentions" (1999), "Scooby-Doo" (2002), and "The Grudge" (2004) collectively grossing over $570 million globally.

Beyond her cinematic successes, Gellar has made her mark on television, headlining shows such as "Ringer" (2011-2012), "The Crazy Ones" (2013-2014), and "Wolf Pack" (2023). She has also lent her voice to popular series including "Robot Chicken" (2005-2018), "Star Wars Rebels" (2015-2016), and "Masters of the Universe: Revelation" (2021).

In 2015, Gellar ventured into the entrepreneurial world by co-founding Foodstirs, an e-commerce baking company, and published her own cookbook, "Stirring Up Fun with Food," in 2017. Gellar is also known for her close-knit family life, married to actor Freddie Prinze Jr. since 2002, with whom she shares two children.

Sarah Michelle Gellar’s commitment to her craft is matched by her dedication to personal growth and unique experiences. An accomplished martial artist, she studied Tae Kwon Do for five years, alongside kickboxing, boxing, street fighting, and gymnastics. Her dedication to authenticity in her roles is evident, such as her commitment to doing her own stunts in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," though she admitted her limits during filming "Scream 2."

Her career is also marked by interesting anecdotes, such as her role in a 1982 Burger King commercial, which led to a lawsuit from McDonald’s and a temporary ban from their establishments. Notably, she dyed her naturally brunette hair blonde for her role in "Buffy," and legally changed her last name to Prinze as a surprise for her husband on their fifth anniversary.

Sarah Michelle Gellar’s legacy extends beyond her on-screen roles, encompassing her work in philanthropy and her reputation for safety and professionalism on set. She remains a beloved figure in Hollywood, admired for her talent, dedication, and the breadth of her contributions to film and television.

REVIEW: ’The Return’ is hauntingly boring

Sarah Michelle Gellar battled countless monsters as Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Her biggest challenge in “The Return” is to keep from yawning.

Gellar sleepwalks through her role as Joanna, an unlikely trucking fleet rep haunted by images from childhood. When work takes her home to Texas, her dreams morph with a mysterious woman that was likely murdered years ago.

The men in Joanna’s life are a strange bunch, beginning with her father, played by Sam Shepard as if (in a bit of audience wish- fulfillment) he’s in an entirely different film. And what to make of that mysterious stranger that arrives just in time to save our heroine from a rampaging ex-boyfriend (Adam Scott)?

Scripted by first-timer Adam Sussman, “The Return” is slightly more ambitious than your average horror yarn. But it’s also unbelievably dull and hardly scary. The best thing you can say is that it doesn’t rely on special effects to deliver its modest thrills.

Director Asif Kapadia’s visual trick of choice is a hand-held camera with a twitchy zoom lens. Following the modern horror handbook, he drains most of the color from his frame.

This adds an even more surreal touch to the south Texas locales, apparently chosen for the length of time between paint jobs. I am not joking when I say that a side of beef hangs in the hotel lobby where Joanna checks in to complete her paranormal investigation.

“The Return” gives a Texas twang to the Japanese-inspired horror films released here on an almost weekly basis. (Many, like this one, are not prescreened for critics). But even misguided fans of the “Grudge” movies will feel like they’re watching paint peel.