Dave2112
Level of Cherry Feather
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The situation is oddly familiar. Ratings-challenged science-fiction show is cancelled by the network, but continues to thrive thanks to a rabid core of fans. Eventually, the fans are appeased with a feature-length film. And another and another ...
Now let's hope "Serenity" can spawn as many sequels as "Star Trek," because it is better than any film in that series, even - I can't believe I'm saying this - "The Wrath of Khan", my personal favorite Trek film. This is what science fiction should be.
A unique space Western, "Serenity" is the brainchild of "Buffy" and "Angel" creator Joss Whedon, based on his wonderful sci-fi series "Firefly," cancelled by Fox after just 11 episodes (another three were unaired).
While reruns kept Captain Kirk and Star Trek going, DVD sales revived "Firefly." Given a second chance, Whedon has provided an absolute treat for the show's fans, but also a gritty, funny and action-packed spectacle for latecomers.
"Serenity" is set 500 years in the future in a terraformed solar system not far from our own. The system is controlled by the Alliance, a not-so-benevolent version of the Federation, but on the fringes, life is hard and largely lawless and an old-fashioned six-gun can still come in handy.
The movie picks up where the series ends, but provides a pretty good intro for non-fans. The Alliance has performed terrible experiments on the frighteningly powerful brain of a fragile young woman named River (Summer Glau) and is awfully upset when River's brother Simon (Sean Maher) rescues her and brings her aboard the renegade spaceship Serenity.
Captain Mal Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) and his attractive crew - tough first mate Zoe (Gina Torres), wisecracking pilot Wash (Alan Tudyk), naive young mechanic Kaylee (Jewel Staite) and gravel-brained mercenary Jayne (Adam Baldwin) - make a meager living skirting the law and don't particularly welcome the extra attention River brings them.
Fillion's Mal has a rebellious Han Solo feel, a rogue with a sense of honor, but who would shoot an unarmed man in the right situation. He's determined, but unlike the Kirks and Picards of the world, fallible as well. Glau is also unexpectedly excellent as the seriously unhinged telepath River, saying the oddest things and kicking butt with more verve than Buffy ever imagined.
A couple of other series regulars are also around, but aren't integral to the plot: Shepherd Book (Ron Glass) now does his space preaching on a remote planet, while space courtesan Inara (Morena Baccarin) shows up partway through to flirt with Mal.
Much of the movie is spent dodging "the Operative" (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a philosophical Alliance killer with a pleasant British accent...and the Reavers, terrifying semi-humans who will literally eat people alive.
"Serenity's" characters are rich and three-dimensional and their squabbles and interplay are amusing even in the most dire situations. The story is also good, picking up momentum as it goes. It helps that Whedon isn't afraid to take chances.
The special effects are solid and the action is extremely well-done, both large-scale and small-scale. The film relies on CGI, but in the right way and in the right places. For such a major sci-fi venture, it doesn't feel CGI.
I am an unabashed "Firefly" fan, so don't just take my word for it. If you've ever watched "Star Trek," or "Star Wars" for that matter, go ahead and give "Serenity" a chance. Even as a fan, I was unbelievably surprised at how utterly good a film this is...and I hope you do, too. This is definitely one to blow 10 bucks and popcorn fees on. You won't be sorry.
Now let's hope "Serenity" can spawn as many sequels as "Star Trek," because it is better than any film in that series, even - I can't believe I'm saying this - "The Wrath of Khan", my personal favorite Trek film. This is what science fiction should be.
A unique space Western, "Serenity" is the brainchild of "Buffy" and "Angel" creator Joss Whedon, based on his wonderful sci-fi series "Firefly," cancelled by Fox after just 11 episodes (another three were unaired).
While reruns kept Captain Kirk and Star Trek going, DVD sales revived "Firefly." Given a second chance, Whedon has provided an absolute treat for the show's fans, but also a gritty, funny and action-packed spectacle for latecomers.
"Serenity" is set 500 years in the future in a terraformed solar system not far from our own. The system is controlled by the Alliance, a not-so-benevolent version of the Federation, but on the fringes, life is hard and largely lawless and an old-fashioned six-gun can still come in handy.
The movie picks up where the series ends, but provides a pretty good intro for non-fans. The Alliance has performed terrible experiments on the frighteningly powerful brain of a fragile young woman named River (Summer Glau) and is awfully upset when River's brother Simon (Sean Maher) rescues her and brings her aboard the renegade spaceship Serenity.
Captain Mal Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) and his attractive crew - tough first mate Zoe (Gina Torres), wisecracking pilot Wash (Alan Tudyk), naive young mechanic Kaylee (Jewel Staite) and gravel-brained mercenary Jayne (Adam Baldwin) - make a meager living skirting the law and don't particularly welcome the extra attention River brings them.
Fillion's Mal has a rebellious Han Solo feel, a rogue with a sense of honor, but who would shoot an unarmed man in the right situation. He's determined, but unlike the Kirks and Picards of the world, fallible as well. Glau is also unexpectedly excellent as the seriously unhinged telepath River, saying the oddest things and kicking butt with more verve than Buffy ever imagined.
A couple of other series regulars are also around, but aren't integral to the plot: Shepherd Book (Ron Glass) now does his space preaching on a remote planet, while space courtesan Inara (Morena Baccarin) shows up partway through to flirt with Mal.
Much of the movie is spent dodging "the Operative" (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a philosophical Alliance killer with a pleasant British accent...and the Reavers, terrifying semi-humans who will literally eat people alive.
"Serenity's" characters are rich and three-dimensional and their squabbles and interplay are amusing even in the most dire situations. The story is also good, picking up momentum as it goes. It helps that Whedon isn't afraid to take chances.
The special effects are solid and the action is extremely well-done, both large-scale and small-scale. The film relies on CGI, but in the right way and in the right places. For such a major sci-fi venture, it doesn't feel CGI.
I am an unabashed "Firefly" fan, so don't just take my word for it. If you've ever watched "Star Trek," or "Star Wars" for that matter, go ahead and give "Serenity" a chance. Even as a fan, I was unbelievably surprised at how utterly good a film this is...and I hope you do, too. This is definitely one to blow 10 bucks and popcorn fees on. You won't be sorry.
And that one girl (River?) kicks ass. 
