Super SPOILER FILLED Serenity thread

[Xath]

The movie was specatacularly done, and one of the best I've seen all year. However, I'm not sure I liked it.

Most time in movies, when a character dies, I tear up, and then I'm done with it. There might be some regret at the end of the movie.

In Serenity, I didn't tear up at all. To the point where I had to stop and ask myself "Why am I not tearing up? I love Book and Wash." And I found that it was because I had some hidden hope that Joss would turn the movie around in some unexpected way, and that everyone would be ok. Like the whole thing would have been one of River's nightmares. (yes, I realize that would have cheapened it.)

And at the end of the movie, I sat in shock; hoping there would be some extra scene at the end of the credits explaining why my two favorite characters had dissapeared. But it didn't happen.

And then when I got out of the theatre and into the car, I confess, I bawled like a baby. Joss Whedon has this horrible/wonderful effect on me where he makes me feel as though his characters are real people. And after watching the series and the movie, I felt as though I knew them. Yes, it's a bit silly, but whatever. And even though the movie was a magnificent work, I'm not sure that I like that a piece of media was able to evoke that kind of emotion from me. I'm not that kind of willy-nilly cries alot kind of girl.

It's that kind of revalation that makes me realize that Joss Whedon has a skill with writing that I have not seen paralleled. I wasn't the only one in the theatre to sit there in that stunned silence.

 

[CarlZog]

I think I walked into this movie with a lot of expectation that probably made it unfair to judge on its own merits. Right or wrong, I really assumed this movie would written more like a setup for a renewed series or at least a couple more movies. While those doors are obviously wide open, I was really surprised how many of the central conflicts from the series were so neatly and quickly resolved in this movie.

Watching Firefly then Serenity made me feel like I'd read the first five chapters of a great book then skipped ahead to the last chapter. I may know how it ends now, but I'd still would have rather had a chance to read the rest of the book.

Overall, I walked away from Serenity thinking that Whedon's talents are stronger in the series medium, where plotlines have the time (assuming you don't get cancelled) to develop slowly and subtly. A lot of Serenity seemed like it was beating me over the head, but maybe to someone unfamiliar with the series, it wouldn't have seemed that way. Admittedly, it can't be easy to start a story in the middle; introduce all the characters and their motivations; try to explain what's happened so far; then resolve everything -- in two hours.

Wash's death did open the door for anything to happen, which lead to a lot higher level of suspense for the end of the movie. I was positive River was dead, but I was never worried about Mal.

So with the central issues of the series wrapped up or made moot (who was Book?), it'll be interesting to see where Whedon goes from here.

Carl

 

[Greylock]

So with the central issues of the series wrapped up or made moot (who was Book?), it'll be interesting to see where Whedon goes from here.

Carl

Ahhh, but they were not all wrapped up so nice and neat. There's room left to develop all the characters, and there was one group of major bad guys who don't appear in the movie. A group that might still want to get their "hands" on River.

 

[CarlZog]

Ahhh, but they were not all wrapped up so nice and neat. There's room left to develop all the characters, and there was one group of major bad guys who don't appear in the movie. A group that might still want to get their "hands" on River.

Maybe I've made a rash assumption that they were the bad guys behind her development in the first place... Are they somebody else altogether?

 

[Crothian]

For me Bok's death was predicatible but needed. I really liked how his death showed the ruthlessness of the Operative and the way he thinks. It was well done. I love how Bok set up the movie with faith.

Wash's death was a suprise but built up tension. After he died I lost the safety net of thinking the other character were going to live. Its been ages when I actually saw a movie and thought the good guys might all die, that never happens. But with Wash's death, the tension was there and I was really expecting more deaths. Joss did that brilliantly.

THis is easily the best moview of the year so far.

 

[Dagger75]

I think I walked into this movie with a lot of expectation that probably made it unfair to judge on its own merits. Right or wrong, I really assumed this movie would written more like a setup for a renewed series or at least a couple more movies. While those doors are obviously wide open, I was really surprised how many of the central conflicts from the series were so neatly and quickly resolved in this movie.

Watching Firefly then Serenity made me feel like I'd read the first five chapters of a great book then skipped ahead to the last chapter. I may know how it ends now, but I'd still would have rather had a chance to read the rest of the book.


Carl

I felt pretty much the opposite of this. My feelings are that it gave me closure for the series. Sure I would have loved 5 seasons of build up to get to this point but it didn't happen. I would love a sequal, but if one is never made I could honestly say I am satisiifed with how the movie wrapped up the Firefly story for me. Sure there are some unanswered questions but I am still happy.

 

[Captain Tagon]

When I walked out of the theatre the only thought in my mind was:

Celebrity Death Match:

River Tam vs. Paul Atreides

The end.


(Oh, and I loved the movie, finally beat out Batman Begins for my favorite film of the year.)

 

[Sir Brennen]

Ahhh, but they were not all wrapped up so nice and neat. There's room left to develop all the characters, and there was one group of major bad guys who don't appear in the movie. A group that might still want to get their "hands" on River.

Those guys made an appearance in the Serenity comic mini-series - three issues which span the time between the TV series and movie.

Maybe I've made a rash assumption that they were the bad guys behind her development in the first place... Are they somebody else altogether?

"Two by two, hands of blue"

 

[Darthjaye]

Personally I hope this movie does make of money. It would be nice for those guys over at
Fox to be kicking themselves for letting this show slip with their antics of showing it out of order and putting in a suicide slot. Question, has a show (other than another incarnation like the ST series) ever been cancelled, gotten a movie work, and then returned to TV? SCI-FI network could use another good series..................not that they don't already have several good ones mind you.

 

[Lazybones]

A great movie, although the Miranda-Reavers plot ruins my NWN Firefly campaign (I had an alternative origin for the Reavers). I agree with everyone who commented on Wash's death; in hindsight and reading your comments I see that it was set up to provide a sense of "anything can happen, including TPK" for the final scene. I wonder if Alan Tudyk had suggested that he wanted out of any possible future movies, or if he took a bullet for the team (or in this case, the plot).

I rarely see movies twice (prior to DVD release), but I think I'll have to make an exception in this case. I have been loaning my DVDs out to everyone in my circle of friends, trying to sell movie tickets. My theatre wasn't filled for the 7:15 showing, but I can't see it NOT making back the 45 million it cost to make several times over in the initial US release. If it breaks 100 million, I think the sequel is certain.