When will we see an entry for Serenity? You know you want to see it...it's like Star Wars (IV) if Han Solo shot Greedo first!

Serenity is somewhat of a movie version of the television series Andromeda - with a little more of the fun Joss Whedon humor from Buffy The Vampire Slayer, a sort of retro-action-western with a kick-ass mystical girl that has dangerous moves. There are even some suggestions of original Star Trek television episode plot/script conceptual ideas embedded in the movie. Serenity isn't somewhat one hasn't seen before, but the craft and art, the look and feel, the fun and drama have been assembled relatively well. While the movie doesn't quite forge unique and significant new sci fi ground, the movie is entertaining and fun.

I'm definitely a "Firefly" fan, so I have some bias. I liked the film a great deal. In fact, it's probably been the film I enjoyed the most this year.

It's exciting and fun, yes, and has all of the stuff Whedon is known for. But I also thought it has lots of deep layers buried underneath it all, ones that are easy to miss. If you enjoy aspects of various worldviews/philosophies/theologies, you might like this movie.

I saw Serenity today and thought it was great. I have not seen the Firefly TV show, but I liked Joss's other stuff (Buffy, Angel). I thought Serenity carefully borrowed from the appropriate touchstones (Star Wars, Star Trek, westerns) without feeling derivative but felt incredibly fresh. Nathan Fillion is a bad-ass softy in the Han Solo mode. I found this to be FAR better than any of the Star Wars prequels, and hope a sequel follows...

I have never seen and didn't even know about Joss Whedon/Firefly until this film came out. I thought this film was a dud and is a classic example of what may work on the little screen doesn't necessarily work on the big screen. SERENITY is a classic case of this. The bland cast had the feel of a cast of a TV series. The leader of the crew didn't have the gravitas a movie star requires to make it work on the big scren. This was just a dud.

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ChrisFromAstoria posted:

I have never seen and didn't even know about Joss Whedon/Firefly until this film came out. I thought this film was a dud and is a classic example of what may work on the little screen doesn't necessarily work on the big screen. SERENITY is a classic case of this. The bland cast had the feel of a cast of a TV series. The leader of the crew didn't have the gravitas a movie star requires to make it work on the big scren. This was just a dud.

I have a particular fondness for the science fiction genre. I've known of Joss Whedon since Buffy: The Vampire Slayer came out. I'd like to know how you are using "gravitas"? In watching this movie, I didn't expect nor need to have any John Wayne in this movie and when I consider Alien when it came out in 1979, the cast wouldn't necessarily be considered heavy-weight at all. Considering Serenity was more of a light-weight science fiction-space opera with a comic twist, Joss Whedon actually improved on the genre by his incorporation of television serial tidbits of comedic antics. I believe that television has been around long enough to have some conceptual ideas that can contribute to the big screen.

I rented Serenity on DVD today and I must say that I was impressed. I don’t mind the campy sci-fi scene and found the movie to have an energy not found in other movies today. Yes, it was a TV show turned movie… (Star Trek, anyone?), but the cast complimented each other so well that you could only have that from years of working together.

Also, I realized something about why I hated the Star Wars prequels so much… the fact that everything was shot on blue screen confined the cinematography to static shots when real actors were in the view, but in Serenity… the camera pans, shakes, and turns around a real set. Seeing the actors interact with the environment was something of a treat… and something that you just can’t achieve with full-on digital effects.

This was an easy going, clever, and fun movie to watch; nothing too deep, but scratches the surface of interesting topics for those seeking them. Also, the antagonist was one messed up dude. He was one of the best oppositions ever… I mean someone who gives no value to himself and is completely dedicated for what he believes is the greater good? Wow… there was no reasoning with him; he simply had a job to do, even at the expense of his own life. Scary, if you ask me.

Of course, I still enjoy watching Wing Commander every now and then. Why? Probably along the same enjoyment of the western / sci-fi theme from the Firefly universe… I really enjoyed the WWII dog fighting and submarine-type warfare with the capital ships; blending the old world with the new… seamlessly.

Cody K. - nicely done.

Saw Serenity on dvd last night and really enjoyed it. I hadn't seen or even heard of the Firefly tv series until the movie was released. Found this to be a nice character driven film, which could generate several sequels. Great cast chemistry and dialogue always wins over razzle-dazzle special effects. Since no else mentioned it, I'll say how I found actress Summer Glau (River) to be quite the hottie. Looking forward to her starring in more movies.

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crazed posted:

Saw Serenity on dvd last night and really enjoyed it. I hadn't seen or even heard of the Firefly tv series until the movie was released. Found this to be a nice character driven film, which could generate several sequels. Great cast chemistry and dialogue always wins over razzle-dazzle special effects. Since no else mentioned it, I'll say how I found actress Summer Glau (River) to be quite the hottie. Looking forward to her starring in more movies.

I'm afraid this movie didn't make my top ten list, but I do want to add that Joss Whedon re-created the sci-fi western soap opera very well and enhanced the whole rebel, exaggerated western entertainment mentality to perfection. This was a wicked, pleasurable movie in the traditional wry humor sense. I truly enjoyed Mr. Whedon's play on an old theme and bringing it to the bring screen. A fun movie, sometimes, that's what it's all about.

I really enjoyed Serenity, only after seeing it for the first time on DVD before the new year. I only decided to give it a try cuz I'm into his run on Astonishing X-Men and his mini-series Fray, a future Buffy story.

Serenity is hands down the best Sci-Fi movie to come out in 2005, in my opinion The Island-although seriously post-modern- being a close runner up. Serenity blows Episode III all to hell too!

I think the authentic quality of the film is what gives it character and life. When I say authentic i'm referring to the minimal CG shots, as opposed to Episode 3, which was like 95% CG. Also Joss Whedon's writing, the dialogue, the wity banter, etc. really makes the characters pop off screen. Again Episode 3 had the most robotic acting and cheesy dialogue that didn't add to the characters but was just enough to move the garbled plot forward.

But we're not talking about Episode III here. Serenity is just a good space opera that really takes a close look at its core of characters before trying to stun the audience with gaudy CG shots. The cast has characters that any viewer can connect with and I think that is why its an effective movie. On top of that the fighting sequences are bad-ass. River Tam just rocked the shit out of everybody she fought, Summer Glau even did all her own stunts, being a pro-Ballet Dancer and all.

Serenity is a breathe of fresh-air in a genre that is lacking creativity and oomph. The Matrix franchise suffered with the over-blown sequels, Star Trek has been hurting for a solid series and movie since DS9 went off air and First Contact came out. The Star Wars prequels...ah...lets not start that. Check out Serenity. You won't be disappointed. I even got Firefly on DVD and the show makes the movie a whole lot better because you know all the history of the characters together.

anyways...

You can't watch this film and help but think of everything that stunk about Star Wars Ep. 3. Here you actually have an intriguing story and real, three dimensional characters. It wasn't just about seeing how many CGI shots you can cram into a two hour movie. Probably not on my top 10, but a very enjoyable popcorn movie I'd recommend to anyone.

I've never seen star wars, I aint the type!
I saw Serenity it was very confusing because my friends kept complaining about what's going on so I'd get lost too. In the end I worked it out! It turned out to very intriguing! XD This movie was pretty interesting but tended to be boring at times also I didn't like to be blinded by the white light, after seeing 30 mins of total darkness @_@

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Originally posted by WordsAmpersand:
I'm definitely a "Firefly" fan, so I have some bias. I liked the film a great deal. In fact, it's probably been the film I enjoyed the most this year.

I saw the movie and kinda liked it. Then I saw the TV series. Now I fucking love it. You should really watch the series before the movie. Some episodes are absolutely hilarious, others are like Westerns, some sci-fi horror; it's got everything. This is the single greatest sci-fi series of all time (all respect to Next Gen)!

I loved the movie Serenity. I thought it was an excellent movie for being based on a sci fi tv series. I have always loved FIrefly!! So I must admit I was a little skeptical of a movie release when I heard about it, but it met and exceeded my expectations.

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anotherrainyday

Posted 06 June 2006 10:06 AM
I loved the movie Serenity. I thought it was an excellent movie for being based on a sci fi tv series. I have always loved FIrefly!! So I must admit I was a little skeptical of a movie release when I heard about it, but it met and exceeded my expectations.

I agree with you on all points.

Serenity is the best movie of 2005, it has a great mix of all my favourite genres: Action, Comedy, Sci-Fi and Martial Arts. This movie was alot better than i expected, and i expected it to be really good. I've never seen the series but i am really tempted now. I find it hard to see why anyone wouldn't like it. It has some really great lines, great fight scenes and an excelent story line. I hope the rumors of a sequel are true because i definately won't miss out on seeing that at the movies like i did for the first. It has very interesting characters and Nathan Fillion is very convincing as the captain. Summer Glau's (River) acting in this movie was superb. I would really like to see her in other roles. Unlike most movies this movie is just as entertaining the second time you watch it as it was the first.

I just re-watched Serenity on Cinemax, and it was better the second time. I agree wholeheartedly with ericg75: this movie had all of the things that were missing from Episode III: heart, soul, character development. George Lucas should have hired Joss Whedon to write the scripts to I-III.

Rumors continue to fly that Firefly (the show) may make it back to TV and that another movie is in the works.

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Originally posted by philosopherEric:
Rumors continue to fly that Firefly (the show) may make it back to TV and that another movie is in the works.

I dearly pray for this to be true. They're making 13 new episodes of Futurama.

I purchased and watched the Firefly TV series the other day… and holy smokes! What a great show! The characters and the universe are amazing. And it’s kind of sad to be surprised by the lack of sound and fiery explosions in the vacuum of space. What were they thinking? ;-)

My favorite character is Jayne, by far… and the last episode is something to behold. The bounty hunter in that episode makes Boba Fett look like a little girly man.

Joss Whedon created something special… and it’s only truly appreciated when you watch the TV series. I think it’s inevitable that we’ll see more from the Firefly universe soon. It’s just too much fun and way too smart for it’s own good.