Amazon.com: Serenity offers perfect proof that Firefly deserved a better fate than premature TV cancellation. Joss Whedon's acclaimed sci-fi Western hybrid series was ideally suited (in Browncoats, of course) for a big-screen conversion, and this action-packed adventure allows Whedon to fill in the Firefly backstory, especially the history and mystery of the spaceship Serenity's volatile and traumatized stowaway, River Tam (Summer Glau). Her lethal skills as a programmed "weapon" makes her a coveted prize for the power-hungry planetary Alliance, represented here by an Operative (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who'll stop at nothing to retrieve River from Serenity's protective crew. We still get all the quip-filled dialogue and ass-kicking action that we've come to expect from the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but Whedon goes a talented step further here, blessing his established ensemble cast with a more fully-developed dynamic of endearing relationships. Serenity's cast is led with well-balanced depth and humor by Nathan Fillion as Captain Mal Reynolds, whose maverick spirit is matched by his devotion to crewmates Wash (Alan Tudyk), Zoe (Gina Torres), fun-loving fighter Jayne (Adam Baldwin), engineer Kaylee (Jewel Staite), doctor Simon (Sean Maher), and Mal's former flame Inara (Morena Baccarin), who plays a pivotal role in Whedon's briskly-paced plot. As many critics agreed, Serenity offered all the fun and breezy excitement that was missing from George Lucas's latter-day Star Wars epics, and Whedon leaves an opening for a continuing franchise that never feels cheap or commercially opportunistic. With the mega-corporate mysteries of Blue Sun yet to be explored, it's a safe bet we haven't seen the last of the good ship Serenity. --Jeff Shannon
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Excellent Space Opera with Chinese-Western Twist
Serenity is the final episode, as it were, of the Firefly sci-fi series. Since the show was cancelled after one season, over-whelming response from loyal fans of the show inundated the powers at be responsible ... Read More
Rating: - Spectacular movie
Even if you aren't familiar with the tv series (BUY THE BOX SET), its an awesome and well-written movie.
Rating: - GREAT FINISH TO AN EXCELLENT SERIES
SERENITY was so much better than almost any of the other sci-fi around- including the last three over-blown STAR WARS episodes. The characters were wonderful, the acting was solid, the action fast, and the special ... Read More
Rating: - 3 stars out of 4
The Bottom Line:
A capable adaptation of the always-interesting, sometimes-brilliant Firefly, Serenity benefits from Chiwetel Ejiofor's exceptional villain and Whedon's wry humor; it's not a classic, but ... Read More
Rating: - WOW! That was NOT a 4.6 star movie.
This movie is nowhere near its 4.6 rating. Acting and dialog were mediocre, character development was lacking. If you compare it to movies like Mad Max then maybe 3 stars, otherwise if you are not a fan or this series, ... Read More
- Excellent Space Opera with Chinese-Western Twist
- 3 stars out of 4
- WOW! That was NOT a 4.6 star movie.