And that's the greatest compliment I can give it. The movie stands on its own.
As Joss Whedon said in his pre-movie speech, this film is the result of the fans screaming into the void, demanding the story be told. If the movie is good, tell your friends, tell everyone. If it sucks, well then it's your fault. If you love it, tell people, if you don't, now's the time for quiet, contemplative thought.
But he needn't worry. The plot is simple and easy to follow. It's linear and clean with few breaks for exposition. The characters are well defined, full of purpose and as amiable as a family dog. You can't help but love everyone in this cast and crew for the job they did. Even in this rough, 80-90% completed version, the signs of greatness are there. Left as is, I would put this among the all time bests. Polished up, I fear for the rest of the movies this summer.
But here's the problem, it's still a little movie. Serenity appeals to a broader audience, but the broader audience must know about it. So here's where you come in. Tell you friends. Tell your AIM buddies and your blog commentors and your message board friends. Tell your brothers and sisters and mom's and dad's and college buddies and bridge partners and mechanics and grocers. Tell everyone you can think of that this is the movie to see this summer. You have to get the word out because in the light of the high dollar trademarks coming out that are bound to or have already disappointed, we, the fans, have to speak up and let Hollywood know that good movies are appreciated.
Little shows should be too.
Huzzah to Universal.
Huzzah to Joss Whedon
Huzzah to the Browncoats.
For more information about the movie, please visit The Browncoats
Starring: Nathan Fillion (Capt. Malcolm Reynolds), Gina Torres (Zoe), Alan Tudyk (Wash), Sean Maher (Simon), Jewel Staite (Kaylee), Summer Glau (River), Ron Glass (Shepherd Book), Morena Baccarin (Inara), Adam Baldwin (Jayne), Chiwetel Ejiofor (The Operative), David Krumholtz (Mr. Universe), Raphael Feldman (Fanty), Yan Feldman (Mingo), Michael Hitchcock (Dr. Mathias)
Director: Joss Whedon
Rated: Unrated
U.S. Opening Date: September 30, 2005
Article comments
1 - Voracious Reader
Hurray! My fiance and I can't wait. I wish we'd known of the screenings, because we would have skipped work to have see it. We're already getting the word out, and I'm going to post something about it on my blog later today.
Thanks for the review.
Is it too much to hope that if the movie does well, they'll bring back the show on Fox?
2 - Ben Rollman
Not likely. Besides, I think in order for it to be produced, Universal bought the rights away from Fox.
Unless Universal also does television, I think you can pretty much count more shows out.
Plus, there are parts in the movie that really preclude it from going much further than one installment.
You'll see.
3 - Nicolette Rivers
I'm looking forward to this one to the point that I'll probably leave the little town I'll be living in and go on a long drive to Duluth. Bring it on!!
4 - Joel Caris
Voracious Reader--I would be surprised if the show returned, but it is always a possibility. However, if the movie does well, then Universal will greenlight two sequels. The cast is already signed. But it all depends on how well it does at the box office come September.
The movie is absolutely fantastic, by the way. I saw the screening last night and I should be getting my own review up on Blogcritics before too long.
5 - HLGEM
The screenings are a wonderful thing. I went to the Norfolk one lsat night and the movie is indeed shiny. In one word, I would describe it as intense. But mercifully Joss does humor well or I think I might have perished from the tension. I wanted to watch it again immediately and I have never felt that way after a movie.
To tell a funny story. One of my coworkers said to me today, "Do you know that they are making a Firefly movie to be released in September."
I said, "I saw it last night." It;s fun to gloat.
6 - DarkJester
I saw the screening in Chicago Thursday evening, and I can honestly say the ONLY time I've enjoyed a movie in a theater more was seeing the original Star Wars in '77. The theater was packed with fans, and we laughed, applauded and gasped together as the story unfolded.
Is this the best movie ever? No. But this film is/will be head and shoulders above most of what gets released into theaters today. It's going to be hard, waiting until September to see it again in its' final form.
7 - Marco
Sci-Fi (owned by universal) is going to be airing the 15 episodes of Firefly on fridays at 7pm as a lead in to their Sci-Fi Fridays. (SG1, Atlantis and BSG)
8 - Eric Berlin
How the hell do I hop on the screenings train? I live just outside of LA -- someone hook a BCer up!
Very relieved/happy to read your take on the film, Ben. I've been slightly gloomy ever since reading a fairly downbeat review in Ain't It Cool News a month or so ago.
Man, there are so many reasons why I hope the movie's great and finds a large audience. Most of all, perhaps, is because the world needs storyteller's like Joss Whedon. Well, scratch that. There's only one Whedon.
He's one unique and talented cat.
9 - Ben Rollman
I actually heard about the early May screenings too late, and then this last one only because another fan happened to stumble onto Fandango at just the right time. I'd keep an eye on the Browncoats website if you don't already.
I have too heard some bad things about it. The big thing is that it's too fast and doesn't allow non-fans to catch up. I totally disagree, but I'm a fan, so I'm biased.
10 - Eric Berlin
The review I read said that the fun, easy chemistry between the characters was lost in the film, replaced by a cold distance. That, if true, would be one of the worst things that could happen.
11 - LegendaryMonkey
Plus, there are parts in the movie that really preclude it from going much further than one installment.
You'll see.
Sorry to bring up a dead thread, but a friend just got me into Firefly (I love it!) and I read that Whedon had a three film deal on this. Not just one.
So that makes me wonder if they'll go ahead with a 2nd and 3rd movie despite whatever it was that happened in this one that was referenced above?
12 - Cadellin
Uh, this may be a little late, but I had never even heard of Firefly before I went to see Serenity, 14th October 2005 (yes I can even remember the precise date I loved it so much. I could tell you the time of the screening too if you wanted. :) ), and I loved it. I got the plot of the movie. It worked for a total newbie to the 'Verse. I came out of the theatre with my mouth hanging open and I wanted to just go back in and see it again. That movie made me go out and get the box set of Firefly dvd's. Having watched it again after seeing Firefly, some more of the jokes do jump out at you and you understand the relationship between Mal and Inara more, but like I said before, it works for a total stranger to the 'Verse.