Burn the Land and Boil the Sea
Added 11/10/2009
This movie proves my claim that part of what makes Firefly a classic TV series is that it's incomplete. In an attempt to turn a brilliant-but-cancelled TV show into a film franchise, the creators try to tie up too many loose ends, lose track of the radiant energy that makes the show a DVD mainstay, and don't even shoot the finished product in a visually appealing manner.
To start with, the movie gives us an opening sequence that flatly contradicts some of the facts revealed in the series pilot. To its credit, this sequence also gives us Chiwetel Ejiofor, an inspired young British actor who adds a strong note to this story. But the confusion brought about by this opening teaser presages the confusion committed fans will likely feel throughout the film.
Then the main body of the story starts several months after the end of the series. Inarra and Book have left the crew of Serenity, and River has crossed a line, getting her and her brother evicted. If this feels like the kind of crew-splitting that caused the first Star Trek movie to have such a confoundingly long opening act, well, that's an apt analogy.
The film then sets out to close down several of the series' unresolved storylines, not by actually closing them, but by creating new storylines that have nothing to do with the series. Couple that with River's newfound superhero powers, and a visual design so murky that the entire movie seems shot through Beijing smog, and you have a film that frustrates rather than satisfies fans.
I really, really love Firefly. Though only fourteen episodes were shot, it's so full of promise and energy that fans of smart stories can't help but be drawn in. That very promise, unsullied by the need for pat answers, has made the unfinished series a classic. This effort at just those pat answers, well, sullies the series. Enjoy your Firefly DVDs, but give this film a miss.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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East Meets Western Adventure
Added 11/9/2009
The movie Serenity is based on the series Firefly - a futuristic adventure which follows the exploits of a freighter owner and his experience of eeking out a living in a post war universe. With each job he is faced with the prospect of doing what he needs to do to survive - mostly "bad guy" stuff - and doing what he feels is the right thing to do despite himself.
The supporting cast provides a wonderful set of personalities who are amazing together. The writing and actors are so well blended you can just sit back and believe they have been working together as a team on this freighter for a long time.
There is also a really great balance between humor and reality wherby the advetures are something you don't ever mind being a part of as the observer!
After watching this movie, I miss being a part of this group of friends so much that I want to start it all over again....and usually do!
Enjoy.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Firefly Movie
Added 11/9/2009
I'm mad that the "powers -that- be" cancelled the show, but it's nice to have this DVD. It's in good shape and plays as was described. Thanks!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Old School Sci Fi Blended with Contemporary Characters
Added 10/31/2009
As other reviewers point out, you don't need to know anything about the TV series that came before this movie. In fact, this movie alerted us to the series and we watched all the reruns afterwards.
This movie has superb effects, a great plot, plausible characters and excellent production values.
They stay away from too much science, with the entertainment coming from the characters and plot, not a pseudo explanation of how they zip across space.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Awesome ride.
Added 10/26/2009
I'm glad that the series' creator got a chance to wrap up a number of loose ends here. The movie carries on with the wry, exiting, occasionally laugh-out-loud style that made the series a must-see.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Burn the Land and Boil the Sea
Added 11/10/2009
This movie proves my claim that part of what makes Firefly a classic TV series is that it's incomplete. In an attempt to turn a brilliant-but-cancelled TV show into a film franchise, the creators try to tie up too many loose ends, lose track of the radiant energy that makes the show a DVD mainstay, and don't even shoot the finished product in a visually appealing manner.
To start with, the movie gives us an opening sequence that flatly contradicts some of the facts revealed in the series pilot. To its credit, this sequence also gives us Chiwetel Ejiofor, an inspired young British actor who adds a strong note to this story. But the confusion brought about by this opening teaser presages the confusion committed fans will likely feel throughout the film.
Then the main body of the story starts several months after the end of the series. Inarra and Book have left the crew of Serenity, and River has crossed a line, getting her and her brother evicted. If this feels like the kind of crew-splitting that caused the first Star Trek movie to have such a confoundingly long opening act, well, that's an apt analogy.
The film then sets out to close down several of the series' unresolved storylines, not by actually closing them, but by creating new storylines that have nothing to do with the series. Couple that with River's newfound superhero powers, and a visual design so murky that the entire movie seems shot through Beijing smog, and you have a film that frustrates rather than satisfies fans.
I really, really love Firefly. Though only fourteen episodes were shot, it's so full of promise and energy that fans of smart stories can't help but be drawn in. That very promise, unsullied by the need for pat answers, has made the unfinished series a classic. This effort at just those pat answers, well, sullies the series. Enjoy your Firefly DVDs, but give this film a miss.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
East Meets Western Adventure
Added 11/9/2009
The movie Serenity is based on the series Firefly - a futuristic adventure which follows the exploits of a freighter owner and his experience of eeking out a living in a post war universe. With each job he is faced with the prospect of doing what he needs to do to survive - mostly "bad guy" stuff - and doing what he feels is the right thing to do despite himself.
The supporting cast provides a wonderful set of personalities who are amazing together. The writing and actors are so well blended you can just sit back and believe they have been working together as a team on this freighter for a long time.
There is also a really great balance between humor and reality wherby the advetures are something you don't ever mind being a part of as the observer!
After watching this movie, I miss being a part of this group of friends so much that I want to start it all over again....and usually do!
Enjoy.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Firefly Movie
Added 11/9/2009
I'm mad that the "powers -that- be" cancelled the show, but it's nice to have this DVD. It's in good shape and plays as was described. Thanks!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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