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From Amazon.co.uk
Serenity is a film that, by rights, shouldn’t have been made. For starters, it’s spun out of the short-lived and quickly-cancelled TV series Firefly, which has only itself got the full recognition it deserves on DVD. It then marries up two seemingly incompatible genres, the western and science fiction, has no major stars to speak of, and pretty much has ‘hard sell’ written all over it.
Perhaps that explains its modest box office performance back in 2005. What it fails to reflect, however, is that this is one of the most energetic, downright enjoyable sci-fi flicks in some time. Not for nothing did many rate it higher than the Star Wars movie that appeared in the same year.
It follows renegade captain Mal Reynolds and his quirkily assembled crew, as they work on the outskirts of space, trying to keep out of the way of the governing Alliance. That plan quickly changes when they take on a couple of passengers who have attracted the attention of said Alliance, and thus the scene is set for an action-packed, cleverly written movie that deserves many of the plaudits that have rightly been thrust in its direction.
What’s more, Serenity works whether you’ve seen the TV series that precedes it or not. Clearly fans of the Firefly show will be in their element, but even the casual viewer will find an immense amount to enjoy.
The only real problem is that given the film’s box office returns, further adventures of Reynolds and his crew look unlikely. Unless Serenity turns into a major hit on DVD, that is. It’s well worth playing your part in making that happen.--Simon Brew
Product Description
Epic sci-fi adventure from writer-director Joss Whedon, based on his short-lived television series 'Firefly'. 500 years in the future, after a galactic civil war has united all the space colonies under the repressive Alliance, former rebel soldier Malcolm Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) captains the Firefly class cargo ship 'Serenity', taking on odd jobs and scoring heists where he can to keep his ship and his crew in the air, all the while trying to avoid the attentions of the authorities. When he picks up Simon Tam (Sean Maher) and his disturbed sister River (Summer Glau), Mal ends up with more trouble than he could have bargained for. On the run from the Alliance, River has been the subject of horrific government experiments to develope her latent psychic powers. Determined to get her back, the Alliance dispatches ruthless assassin The Operative (Chiwetel Ejiofor), and Mal and his crew find themselves hunted throughout the galaxy. But when they discover an even darker secret the Alliance would like to keep hidden, they finally have their chance to hit back.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
193 of 197 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
I was advised by a relative to go and see this film last October. I'd seen the trailer for it on TV and I didn't think a great deal of it. A sort of comedy scifi flick. I'd hadn't heard of Firefly, just that Serenity was a film version of that show.
Only once before have I gone into a cinema expecting so little, only to come out wanting to go see it again. Infact I did, 2 more times that month.
I feel this film was wrongly promoted right from the off. Comedy SciFi flick it most certainly is not. Don't get me wrong, it does have some very funny moments plus some very poignant ones too. It certainly moves along at a fair pace, has a great deal of breath taking action scenes and very nice special effects for a film I understand was made on a modest budget. But most of all it's a very deep and thoughtful piece of film making.
Not long afterwards I purchased the Firefly DVD box set and what a great series this is. How this could have been cancelled is completely beyond me, it's nothing short of criminal. Needless to say, it completed quite a few of the links in Serenity which weren't covered.
I've read most of the reviews here and I heartily agree with almost all of them. There are some very shallow and overly negative reviews of Serenity here too, but the contradictions, vocabulary and difficulty in following the story speak volumes. This is not a film for children. This is grown up, intelligent and thought provoking science fiction that's right up there with the best of them.
If you're wanting vacuous, simplistic blasting action this is not your film.
If you want to see an engrossing, exciting, nail biting piece of cinema, which will shock you, make you laugh, bring a tear to your eye and even make you think you can't go far wrong with Serenity.
Only once before have I gone into a cinema expecting so little, only to come out wanting to go see it again. Infact I did, 2 more times that month.
I feel this film was wrongly promoted right from the off. Comedy SciFi flick it most certainly is not. Don't get me wrong, it does have some very funny moments plus some very poignant ones too. It certainly moves along at a fair pace, has a great deal of breath taking action scenes and very nice special effects for a film I understand was made on a modest budget. But most of all it's a very deep and thoughtful piece of film making.
Not long afterwards I purchased the Firefly DVD box set and what a great series this is. How this could have been cancelled is completely beyond me, it's nothing short of criminal. Needless to say, it completed quite a few of the links in Serenity which weren't covered.
I've read most of the reviews here and I heartily agree with almost all of them. There are some very shallow and overly negative reviews of Serenity here too, but the contradictions, vocabulary and difficulty in following the story speak volumes. This is not a film for children. This is grown up, intelligent and thought provoking science fiction that's right up there with the best of them.
If you're wanting vacuous, simplistic blasting action this is not your film.
If you want to see an engrossing, exciting, nail biting piece of cinema, which will shock you, make you laugh, bring a tear to your eye and even make you think you can't go far wrong with Serenity.
60 of 62 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:DVD
Nowadays it's a shame, that "originality" doesn't get the time and money to be able to evolve and be brought closer to the audience. The Firefly TV show as well as the Serenity movie are an exclusive exception to the "fast food" served on TV-channels and cinemas. As it is one of the most original series I know, it's no wonder for me, that it has to fight to stay alive.
The solid fan base helps. This fan base knows the quality and appreciates the humor, tension and character of the show.
I hope, the DVD sells good, so that there might be a sequel to either the TV show or the movie (or both ;-)
The solid fan base helps. This fan base knows the quality and appreciates the humor, tension and character of the show.
I hope, the DVD sells good, so that there might be a sequel to either the TV show or the movie (or both ;-)
ps: english ain't my mother tongue so please be patient about my spelling. Thanks.
211 of 220 people found the following review helpful
By Max Berman
Format:DVD
If, like me, you aren't a great fan of TV sci-fi such as Buffy, StarTrek, Stargate and the like, you are in for a great surprise. Although this is a spin off from a TV show, this film absolutely kicks ass. It is the freshest, most exciting and memorable sci-fi flick in recent memory. I'd say that apart from the cracking effects, design, score, acting and costume, the most remarkable element is absolutely the script. Dialogue that really breathes life into the lovable characters and malice into the baddies. Punchy but never corny one-liners and a mixture of sarcastic and slip-on-banana style humour. I'm massively tired of Hollywood movies and although this film was made there, it has none of the formulaic schmaltz or predictability of a Hollywood movie. It has a truly dynamic and surprising plot that is always credible, always surprising and nothing is ever resolved by recalibrating the disconbobulator.
If you like this movie, go buy the TV series Firefly. It's 630 minutes of the same stuff. In your face Fox Television! This film ROCKS!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Leaf on the wind...
This is one of my favorite films. The special features are not the best but the film is so good and looks great on bluray. Read more
Published 14 days ago by I dunno lol
1.0 out of 5 stars
Rent don't buy
TV movie not worth the keeping. Thin plot, no surprises, nothing special in the effects dept. Obviously there are a lot of fans of the cancelled TV series boosting the rating. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Roger Software
3.0 out of 5 stars
if you liked firefly...
i enjoyed the series, and felt a bit sad when it was cancelled. not because i expected to go on for ever (to be honest, didn't feel they could deliver 3 or 4 interesting seasons of... Read more
Published 24 days ago by Mr. Ma Rodrigues Figueiredo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better than the original series...???
A bit more professional than the series and not quite as corny (although I liked both).
Definately a film you should watch if you enjoyed the series (or if you think you... Read more
Definately a film you should watch if you enjoyed the series (or if you think you... Read more
Published 24 days ago by Mickey King
4.0 out of 5 stars
A leaf in the wind
The fans demanded and Joss made it happen. Serenity continues the brilliant work done in Firefly series and explains the origin of the Reavers as well as unveiling a few of the... Read more
Published 27 days ago by Ricardo Sousa
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good continuation to an unfair canceled TV show
If you have seen the TV series (and liked it) you will definitely like this movie also. A must have for all Firefly fans.
Published 28 days ago by Alexandru Iordan
4.0 out of 5 stars
Everything I was hoping for!
I only became a fan of the TV series 'Firefly' last year, but I think I can say I was hooked from the pilot; the concept, the aesthetics and especially the characters are so... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Harry
5.0 out of 5 stars
love it
One of our well established favourites, any Joss Whedon fans, or anyone who likes a good sci-fi/cowboy/action story will love it :-)
Published 1 month ago by Carol Yates
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not as good as the series but worth watching if you've watched firefly
We'd watched Firefly so purchased this to watch and it is good.
Not as good as the series - but they did have a lot to try to wrap up and they do which is good. Read more
Not as good as the series - but they did have a lot to try to wrap up and they do which is good. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Rob Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must Have
Excellent movie, great follow up to the Firefly series. Definitely a must have for your Blu-ray Collection. Just wish that there was more of these to view.
Published 1 month ago by kenny
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