BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Immortal

Based on the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, IMMORTAL comes off as a mere facsimile of creator Joss Whedon's work, although an entertaining one. Charisma Carpenter's reading is unpracticed, and she's too perky for many of the darker scenes. As a narrator, she lacks the deliciously self-absorbed assurance she achieves on the show as Cordelia. While Carpenter mangles her attempt at a British accent (as Buffy's mentor, Giles), she is more successful with the French-accented immortal vampire and Buffy foe, Veronique, imbuing her with disdainful malice. Whether it's because you grow used to Carpenter's choppy performance or become swept up in the suspense of the story, IMMORTAL does move along, and the final showdown between Buffy's gang and the vampires and demons is tense, dangerous and exciting, with nothing less than the future of the world at stake. J.M.D. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 00]