Serenity is a movie based on the short run TV series Firefly. It was badly marketed series that was pre-empted time and again. But, it was one of the smartest and well thought out series I have ever seen. It contained real characters that could change and grow throughout the seasons it was never allowed to experience. With this film, Whedon has almost done the impossible. He has given us enough info for someone who has never seen the series to enjoy the film without boring the fans. It has a good plot, good effects and good acting--what more could you ask for?


Plot: In the future, the Earth is unable to contain our population. So another galaxy is found and the planets there are terra-formed or made inhabitable for humans. The center planets banded together to make an alliance with a parliament. They have culture, beautiful cities and excellent technology. The outlying planets didn't want to belong to the alliance, but in an ensuing war, they were made to succumb to the alliance. Mal (Nathan Fillion) was a commander in the rebel army. When the rebels surrendered, he bought a ship (model Firefly hence the name of the series) and became a shipper aka smuggler. His complied a crew consisting of his old army second in command Zoe (Gina Torres), a pilot--Wash (Alan Tudyk), a gunman--Jayne (Adam Baldwin), a Companion--Inara (Morena Baccarin), and a mechanic--Kaylee (Jewel Staite). Often as part of their runs they picked up passengers--and a couple of passengers stayed and became part of the crew unofficially, a doctor--Simon (Sean Maher) and his disturbed sister, River (Summer Glau). River has been behaviorally modified by the alliance to be a psychic weapon. She got word to her brother about what was being done to her, and he rescued her from the alliance, but it cost him his position as a prominent doctor, and his home. He and River must now always be on the run. An operative (Chiwetel Ejiofor) has been sent to retrieve River because she may have gleaned important information from parliament members who have been to see her. So Mal must determine whether let her and her brother stay on the ship and find out what she knows that is worth killing her for or abandon them to their fate and save the rest of his crew. There is plenty of action in this simplified plot that is an extension of the running plot of the series. And the side plots of interactions between the crew from the series are still evident as well.

The action scenes are well done. Plenty of fighting, shooting, and explosions and the special effects are nice as well.

The acting is wonderful just like the series. Although, I did think that Mal was a little more angry and rash in the movie compared to his fairly calm, rational presence in the series. But that could be due to several things presented in the film, which happen in the time span between the end of the series and the movie. Otherwise, Nathan Fillion, is excellent as Serenity's captain and leader. He is a wonderful character with lots of depth--some of which you see in the movie (the rest you will have to watch the series for). Gina Torres is great as Zoe. Zoe is a strong woman. No weakness here, she gets the job done even in the most extreme physical and mental circumstances. But she also knows how to love (you don't see that side of her so much in the movie, but she is married to the pilot). One thing I miss in the movie is her banter and fighting with Wash--their marriage is turbulent, yet passionate in the series and it is just not portrayed so much in the film. Wash, Alan Tudyk, likewise is a good character underused in the film. He is mostly comic relief with a gift for understatement. Inara (Morena Baccarin), the companion, was the culture and grace (and Mal's bane) in the series. She has left the ship in the movie; therefore we don't see much of her and her character. She is beautiful and resourceful. She was one of my favorites in the series. Jayne, Adam Baldwin, is the gunman, the dumb brute force. He also provides some comic relief and is always questioning Mal. Jayne thinks about money, fighting, and women. If it doesn’t directly benefit him, he doesn’t know why he should do it. Baldwin does great with this character he is very believable and his interactions with the rest of the crew are priceless. Kaylee, Jewel Staite, is the mechanic that is your happy breath of sunshine. She sees the best in everyone and is out to help those she can. She also loves Serenity and trusts Mal to protect her. She is a great character. Simon, Sean Maher, the very intelligent and cute doctor is classy, loves his sister and really doesn't fit in. He was brought up with every privilege and has traded everything to help his sister. He is an intriguing character. River (Summer Glau), his sister, is also a very interesting character. You never know what she will do. She is endearing one moment, and a killing machine the next. She was great for a surprise in the movie and the series. All in all the acting was great and I found no disappoints. The characters are great and realistic, from the series and the film--you feel like you could and would like to know these people.

Overall this sci-fi western is certain to please anyone who likes the sci-fi genre. Although, it has less high technology and alien species and more character development than your typical sci-fi. It gives you enough info that you can see it without watching the series first, although if you have seen the series you will probably enjoy it more. And if you are a fan, it will surprise you for sure, and tie up some of the loose ends for you as well. Hopefully, this will not be the last time we see the Serenity take to the sky.


Recommended: Yes