"Define "interesting"."
[deadpan] "Oh God, oh God, we're all going to die?"
In 2002 Joss Whedon, the genius behind popular television shows "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel", created a 'western in space' with his televsion show "Firefly". Sadly the show was cancelled after only 12 episodes aired (2 never aired) when FOX showed the episodes out of order and people did not catch onto the plot...but Whedon fans are a loyal bunch and the show became popular through it's DVD sales, and studios 'could not stop the signal' (one tagline for the film) and allowed Whedon to revisit the show as a film...thus Serenity was created.
Captain Malcolm Reynolds (Fillion) is at his wits end. His ship is falling apart (as usual) and his personal life isn't much better. Their latest efforts at thievery (they are smugglers) ended with them running for their lives, and while they got the goods the whole crew was shook-up. Besides their occupation the crew is being pursued by The Operative (Ejiofor), a government assassin. He is after fugitives Simon (Maher) and River (Glau) Tam. River is the one he truly wants. She is a genius, psychic, and has incredible athletic powers (meaning: she is an amazing fighter). She had been a test subject for the government (it's complicated) but was saved by her brother, Simon. They now are on Mal's ship, Serenity. Simon is the doctor on the ship. Zoe (Torres) is the first mate, she served in the war with Mal, and her husband Wash (Tudyk) is the pilot. Jayne (Baldwin) is the muscle, and has a fondness for grenades. Kaylee (Staite) is the mechanic, and Inara (Baccarin) is a Companion (also complicated).
Mal and crew seek help from Mr. Universe (Krumholtz) who sees everything, or as he says "from here to the eyes and the ears of the 'Verse, that's my motto, or it might be if I start having a motto." They also seek assylum from an former crew member Shepherd Book (Glass) who offers them spiritual guidance and information about their foe.
"At its heart, Serenity is a story about belief. Malcolm Reynolds is captain of the Firefly class vessel known as Serenity, and he’s man who’s had everything he ever believed in fail him. He became a man who decided the only thing worth believing in was himself and getting the job done, whatever the job may be. But during the course of events that make up the film Serenity, Malcolm finds something new to believe, something that gives his life purpose beyond just going from day to day, job to job; which is something that we’re all searching for."
And that is the essence of the film. I loved "Firefly" and I am one of those Whedon fans who was upset the show got cancelled. It is hard to explain the plot and the characters to someone who has not seen the show, because a large part of the impact of this film comes from knowing the show. I love the show, and I love the movie as well (see my Top 20 Films), but the movie is much darker than the show. And I must disclose, Joss Whedon likes to kill off characters in the finales...and this film is no exception.
Dude, it's quotable: the dialogue is incredible!
Rent it: if you love Joss Whedon, and enjoyed the show then check out this film...however if sci-fi isn't your thing this might not be the best film for you to see.
Serenity (2005) 119 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense violence and action, and some sexual references
Director: Joss Whedon
Starring: Nathan Fillion as Captain Malcolm Reynolds
Gina Torres as Zoe
Alan Tudyk as Wash
Morena Baccarin as Inara
Adam Baldwin as Jayne
Jewel Staite as Kaylee
Sean Maher as Simon
Summer Glau as River
Ron Glass as Shepherd Book
Chiwetel Ejiofor as The Operative
David Krumholtz as Mr. Universe
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