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"Serenity" Review

samuelksamuelk The Unstoppable Mr. 'K'
As luck would have it, I was in Charlotte, NC last Thursday (6/23). My girlfriend treated me to a birthday weekend in Atlanta, and we drove to Charlotte to stay overnight with her family before heading to Atlanta Friday morning. It just so happened that Thursday at 10:00pm, the Stonecrest Cinema in Charlotte was one of the [url=http://www.cantstopthesignal.com]35 cities[/url] showing a sneak preview of [i]Serenity[/i], Joss Whedon's film-continuation of the cancelled FOX tv series [i]Firefly[/i].

This was the third round of screenings of the film, and everyone of the cities had sold out within minutes of tickets being made available online, so I was pretty lucky in getting ours.

Most of the previews featured a guest speaker from the cast and/or crew. In Charlotte, the guest was the film's executive producer, Chris Buchanan. After a few brief words from Chris, the lights dimmed and the film opened with a brief introduction by Joss Whedon.

[i]Serenity[/i] is an excellent film. It picks up about 6 months after the series, and fills in a few gaps along the way. Backstory about the characters is woven into the film in a very natural way, and doesn't impede the story.

All of the series regulars return for the film, though not all of them are just as they were in the series. One in particular has taken a minor role and is no longer a part of the crew. Those familiar with the tv series will be privvy to backstory that enhances the character relationships, but such knowledge is not required to enjoy the film (in other words, if you have access to the DVDs of the series, watch them).

This film is meaner, dirtier, scarier and sexier than the series. The characters and universe translate well to the new medium.

If you're a fan of the series, there are a few things that happen in this film that will absolutely break your heart. But they're things that had to be done for the sake of the story and its transition to the big screen.

After the film, Chris Buchanan answered a few questions from fans. Most of them have been answered elsewhere before. When asked about the return of the series, he was hesitant to say for sure if that was a possibility. He did say that the plan was for more films, but if the series DID return, it would be much different than the original.

Two major questions are answered in this film. I won't spoil the answers, but I will tell you what the questions are:

[spoiler]
1. Who exactly are the Reavers?

2. What's the deal with River?[/spoiler]

And although it was never hinted in the series, those two questions are directly related.

I can't say much more about the film without spoiling things, so I'll leave it at that. For fans of the original series, [i]Serenity[/i] will be an excellent bittersweet ride. For those who have never seen [i]Firefly[/i], [i]Serenity[/i] stands on its own as one hell of a sci-fi film.

To be honest, though, this film would work in any genere. It's not a sci-fi film in the same way Star Trek or Star Wars are. [i]Serenity[/i] is about people. It's about how people react when their backs are to the wall and they've got nothing left to lose. It's about sacrifice, love, will..and oh yeah, sacrifice. It kicks substantial amounts of ass and takes a few names along the way.

[i]Serenity[/i] is also a smart film. The "bad guy" is so intensely bad, it's hard to stomach some of the things he does, yet -- here's the intelligent part -- you not only understand his motives, you can almost sympathize with him. And that's pretty unsettling.
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Comments

  • FreejackFreejack Jake the Not-so-Wise
    Wow, hey thanks, I definitely need to pick up the DVDs before the movie comes out, hmm I wonder if Overstock.com has them...

    Jake
  • The Cabl3 GuyThe Cabl3 Guy Elite Ranger
    NO WAY! DAMN IT I WAS JUST IN CHARLOTTESVILLE!


    heh well bout a two weeks ago anyway...

    Funny I ran into this kid there that said his myspace name was "abort the liberal not the baby"



    said he was from RAleigh also with some dinky HI 8 cam lmao[IMG]http://www.geocities.com/mrdata33/cv1.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.geocities.com/mrdata33/cv2.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://www.geocities.com/mrdata33/cv3.jpg[/IMG]
  • croxiscroxis I am the walrus
    sept 30th is so far away.

    samule, can you mention some of these changes if they don't spoil the movie?
  • MessiahMessiah Failed Experiment
    [IMG]http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2005/20050429l.jpg[/IMG]
  • samuelksamuelk The Unstoppable Mr. 'K'
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by croxis [/i]
    [B]sept 30th is so far away.

    samule, can you mention some of these changes if they don't spoil the movie? [/B][/QUOTE]

    Not really. Suffice it to say that the changes make sense, and shouldn't alienate fans of the series.
  • David of MacDavid of Mac Elite Ranger Ca
    If not alienate, they may annoy, right? I mean, hell, after seeing the trailer, I can't even understand why repainted the damn ship. It's [i]blue[/i] for heaven's sake. Far as I'm concerned, blue is not a good "clunky spaceship" color. The earth tones go better, because they help hide the rust.
  • samuelksamuelk The Unstoppable Mr. 'K'
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by David of Mac [/i]
    [B]If not alienate, they may annoy, right? I mean, hell, after seeing the trailer, I can't even understand why repainted the damn ship. It's [i]blue[/i] for heaven's sake. Far as I'm concerned, blue is not a good "clunky spaceship" color. The earth tones go better, because they help hide the rust. [/B][/QUOTE]

    You have [i]got[/i] to be kidding me, right?

    If Joss Whedon wanted to justify Serenity's new paint scheme, he could easily do so ("She was painted blue during a particular job that required it").

    Personally, I didn't notice it. If such a small thing like a subtle change in Serenity's paint scheme pisses you off, I'd suggest putting down the Jayne costume, turning off the looping [i]Firefly[/i] theme song and going outside for a few hours.

    There are more important things in the film than what color the ship is (like the plot, for example).
  • David of MacDavid of Mac Elite Ranger Ca
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by samuelk [/i]
    [B]You have [i]got[/i] to be kidding me, right?
    [/B][/QUOTE]

    Actually, I am. I noticed during the trailer, thought it looked ugly and shouldn't have been changed, and really haven't given it that much thought since then.
  • Reaver4kReaver4k Trainee in training
    I will be having nightmares after watching this movie.

    why

    Spoiler: The Reavers

    and what river are we talking about?? dont remember
  • ShadowDancerShadowDancer When I say, "Why aye, gadgie," in my heart I say, "Och aye, laddie." London, UK
    Ok, i just saw this at the Edinburgh Film Festival. I wont add anything more to what samuelk has said here already.....but it fucking rocked!! I cant remember any film for quite a while that impacted on me as much as this one has. And i agree with Reaver, im gonna have bad dreams for a while i think
  • samuelksamuelk The Unstoppable Mr. 'K'
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Reaver4k [/i]
    [B]I will be having nightmares after watching this movie.

    why

    Spoiler: The Reavers

    and what river are we talking about?? dont remember [/B][/QUOTE]

    River Tam. . . she's Simon's Sister. . .
  • Falcon1Falcon1 Elite Ranger
    Nice review samuelk!!! Wow looks like its great, damn can't wait now!!!

    On Buchanan's comments on the series coming back, I suppose it would be hard to return to the format of the first series since the film changes stuff. The film(s) might sit a bit odd between them, if they go that way. We'll just have to see if it brings in the cash at the box office.

    Btw anyone know when its gonna air here in the UK?
  • RubberEagleRubberEagle What's a rubber eagle used for, anyway?
    Starts October 7th in the UK
    [url]http://www.uip.co.uk/serenity/[/url]
  • ShadowDancerShadowDancer When I say, "Why aye, gadgie," in my heart I say, "Och aye, laddie." London, UK
    lol, i can just see it in the network boardroom....

    exec1: "wow that was great! look at all the money we got from Serenity!"

    exec2: "yeah! and look at the fan reaction to the film as well!"

    exec1: "hey i've got an idea! why dont we make a spin-off tv series!"

    exec3: "we did! you killed it, you fuckwit!"



    it would be really really cool if they did revive it, tho it would be quite different to what we know. id assume they'd wait till after they've done the other two films tho?
  • SanfamSanfam I like clocks.
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by ShadowDancer [/i]
    [B]lol, i can just see it in the network boardroom....

    exec1: "wow that was great! look at all the money we got from Serenity!"

    exec2: "yeah! and look at the fan reaction to the film as well!"

    exec1: "hey i've got an idea! why dont we make a spin-off tv series!"

    exec3: "Excellent idea, exec1! Why didn't I think of this sooner?"[/B][/QUOTE]

    Edited for accuracy. ;)
  • ShadowDancerShadowDancer When I say, "Why aye, gadgie," in my heart I say, "Och aye, laddie." London, UK
    or change exec3 to Fans:)
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    Woo! I have tickets to the advanced screening on September 19th in the local imax theatre! Yay me!
  • ShadowDancerShadowDancer When I say, "Why aye, gadgie," in my heart I say, "Och aye, laddie." London, UK
    *drools*

    from one who's seen it, that is gonna be sooo cool!!:D
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    I just found out that the tickets sold out in 2 hours. I'm kinda in shock that I managed to get some now.
  • RubberEagleRubberEagle What's a rubber eagle used for, anyway?
    woohoo only slighly less then 3 months until the movie starts here........:mad:
  • ShadowDancerShadowDancer When I say, "Why aye, gadgie," in my heart I say, "Och aye, laddie." London, UK
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Biggles [/i]
    [B]I just found out that the tickets sold out in 2 hours. I'm kinda in shock that I managed to get some now. [/B][/QUOTE]

    that was pretty much what happened here, only there were 3 showings on three differnet days. infact they decided that they were gonna do another showing due to demand and that's the one we managed to get tickets for :)
  • samuelksamuelk The Unstoppable Mr. 'K'
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Biggles [/i]
    [B]I just found out that the tickets sold out in 2 hours. I'm kinda in shock that I managed to get some now. [/B][/QUOTE]

    The tickets I got for the showing in June sold out in six minutes. :)
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    As far as I know, Firefly hasn't even been seen in NZ except by those who either downloaded it or bought the DVDs from overseas.
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    I can now claim to be among the first in the world to see [i]Serenity[/i] in its final form. :p

    And now for my instant spoiler-free review:

    Holy shit.

    The long version:

    [i]Serenity[/i] is a truly amazing film. Even if you have not seen [i]Firefly[/i] you will love it. If you have seen [i]Firefly[/i] you will get so much more out of the movie. Either way, it makes for 2 hours of excellent entertainment. It is an excellent story and an excellent film coupled with an incredible attention to detail, right down to the background level.

    Wow, that's a lot of positive adjectives. And yet, still not enough to do it justice.


    samuelk: Spoiler: I thought the answers to the two questions you mentioned were brilliantly thought out. I really didn't see Wash's death coming, though.
  • croxiscroxis I am the walrus
    Biggles:



    [COLOR=red][SIZE=4]I HATE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![/SIZE] [/COLOR]


    and must... not... look... at.... spoiler......
  • ArethusaArethusa Universal Cathode
    Eleven days. Eleven more days that I have to avoid spoiler tags like land mines.
  • RubberEagleRubberEagle What's a rubber eagle used for, anyway?
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Arethusa [/i]
    [B]Eleven days. Eleven more days that I have to avoid spoiler tags like land mines. [/B][/QUOTE]
    ...that's what going crazy must feel like...
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    I would just like to add that Serenity (the ship) looks absolutely beautiful on an [url=http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~jlbiggs/ticket.jpg]imax screen[/url].
  • croxiscroxis I am the walrus
    [COLOR=crimson]HATE I TELL YOU!!!!!![/COLOR]
  • David of MacDavid of Mac Elite Ranger Ca
    [QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Arethusa [/i]
    [B]Eleven days. Eleven more days that I have to avoid spoiler tags like land mines. [/B][/QUOTE]

    Thirteen for me. I don't plan to see it until Sunday. Which means I'll have two days during which the entirety of the internet will be a fracking minefield, spoilers detonating all around me. I live in dread.

    No, [i]this[/i] must be what going crazy feels like...
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