Serenity Review
As I mentioned previously, Serenity was released in theaters on Friday. It’s been quite some time since I’ve been to a movie, and even longer since I went to one on opening night (last time that happened was for Star Wars Ep III – midnight showing, baby!). Couldn’t pass up the chance to see Serenity as soon as possible, though, so I called up my good buddy Lori and we headed to the theater.
***If you haven’t seen the movie and don’t want to know anything about it, stop reading now***
The movie was actually pretty good! I’m really glad they didn’t butcher the characters and storyline that had been established in the short-lived television series Firefly, from which the movie is based. There were some things that I didn’t agree with and the special effects weren’t nearly as good as Star Wars and some of the other sci-fi/fantasy movies that have been released in recent year, but Serenity was made on a $45 million budget, which means no ILM. However, Firefly/Serenity has several things going for it that are usually lacking in this genre – an actual plot, good actors and character development. Joss Whedon, the creator of Firefly, as well as Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel does a nice job of writing a script that will keep existing fans happy as well as not leave newcomers in the dark. I think Joss choose a good direction to take the film, considering that not much development was done in the series. He could have taken the film in many directions, but the path chosen works. The humor is one of the things that first attracted me to the series and thankfully it’s carried over to the film. Oh, and it was good to see sweet little Kaylee 
Now, to the negatives. First, I can’t believe who they killed off! Wash (the pilot) and the Shepherd (a missionary type character) both die. What?!? I was okay with Shepherd, but Wash was truly a shock to me. I liked his character and am really disappointed in that decision. 
I’m actually a little mad about it. Who’s going to be the pilot now, with all the slick moves and funny lives? It better not be River. I was also disappointed in how they portrayed Simon (the doctor). Something just seemed “off” with his character when compared to the series. His dress style wasn’t even the same. I also didn’t like how Simon and Kaylee “hooked up.” Sure, they’ve been flirtatious and have an attraction to each other, but they have left it as just that for the time being.
Despite these negatives, I enjoyed the movie. Most of you probably wouldn’t like it, but the sci-fi fans out there probably would.
I’ll give it a B-.
Anyone else seen it and have an opinion?
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Looking at the finales for Buffy and Angel, I realized Joss was going to kill of a character or two. I figured the Shepherd would be one, but like you, I didn’t think Wash would die.
Overall, I thought the movie was enjoyable, but lacked some of the humor of the episodes. Also, I wanted more explanation about the Shepherd’s past.
But it was entertaining.
I agree, of all the characters, it would be “easiest” to kill off Shepherd, though there is quite a bit of his background that could have been pursued. Maybe, if the movie does well enough (it’s gotten good ratings from the critics and fans so far, so let’s hope that turns into a good box office take), they’ll bring back the series…
Do you really think there will be a sequel?
From what I’ve been hearing, since it’s already made just about a fourth of what it cost to make it, there’s a pretty good chance that there will be a sequel. Supposedly the word of mouth will keep the take steady over the coming weeks, so it should make a nice profit. Of course, that’s the theory. Who knows if it’ll really work out that way.
The Firefly DVD is currently the #3 top seller on Amazon.com. Another sign for a sequel. The DVD has always sold well, though, one factor in there being a movie to begin with.