RPG.Net Review of Serenity (Suggestive Spoilers) by AnthonyT

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

RPG.Net Review of Serenity (Suggestive Spoilers)

POSTED BY: ANTHONYT
UPDATED: Tuesday, May 17, 2005 07:08
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VIEWED: 706
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Tuesday, May 17, 2005 6:39 AM

Freedom is Important because People are Important

This review at http://www.buffy.nu/article.php3?id_article=9572 that was written by RPG.net contains no actual spoilers, but contains suggestions that may lead some readers to conclusions about what happens in the film.

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Thursday: Serenity, the Movie!

On Thusday, May 5th, I was the guest of Jamie Chambers to attend the Serenity Movie. Jamie, of Sovereign Press and Margaret Weis Productions, was also accompanied by Margaret Weis, Jim Ward and Kevin (I didn’t get Kevin’s last name). We met in a restaurant in Chicago, next door to the AMC Theater where the movie was having a "sneak peak" or promotional screening, and Jamie had scored tickets (YEA!).

It was a real treat for me. As an added bonus, I showed up way early, and Jim Ward showed up about a half hour early, too. Wow - to get to talk about TSR history with Jim Ward for a half hour before dinner!! I have been playing Jim’s games since 1979 or so, Metamorphosis Alpha being my first product from Jim - and talking to him about the glory years of TSR, and about his new projects, was really cool.

At dinner, listening to all these accomplished authors discuss their projects and work was so cool, I hope I was not too geeked up. It was also extremely cool to hear descriptions for the upcoming Serenity RPG, and hear how the combat system works, and what else is covered in the book, and hear about the license and such. This was a real treat for a fan like me, who has long enjoyed the works of both Margaret Weis and Jim Ward! Wow. Arriving at the movie later than we had planned (very slow wait help at the restaurant) we had to sit, literally, in the very front row - so, I apologize to Jamie and Margaret for being a bit fidgety, my neck gets stiff (too many years wearing a helmet in the Army), and looking straight up like that is difficult.

The movie had a neat intro by the creator Joss Whedon, who talked about the movie not being "completely polished" (not the final cut) and how not all the Special Effects were done and in yet, and how the soundtrack was not yet finished. He also spoke on the popularity of Firefly, leading up to the Serenity Movie, and what a truly remarkable "event" that was. It was actually kind of moving, to hear him talk about how the fans had refused to let this die. How 3 years into cancellation, a dead series of misfit characters, played (mostly) by never before seen actors were NEVER made into movies, and how the fans had simply "willed" this movie into creation. Honestly, before last night, I didn’t realize this was the guy behind Angel of Buffy - and I really don’t care now, cause I don’t particularly like either one. But, I did love Firefly when I watched it last year on DVDs and can’t imagine how this series failed (though, it has been explained to me since then).

The movie itself was enjoyable. I don’t want to say great, that might be overselling it a bit. I have to say they 100% sold me on the idea that danger in the world of Serenity is real, and very lethal. I honestly thought "This is it, they are going to kill off all the Characters, and finish this "series" right here". The fight scenes were well choreographed. The action was suspenseful and the characters were believable. The dialogue was dead on, and the delivery of the actors was very satisfying.

I would point out to anyone who doesn’t know - that this series has only 2 "real" (read experienced and familiar to viewers) actors in it, the Shepard (played by veteran TV actor Ron Glass), and Jayne (Adam Baldwin), whom I recognize from somewhere else, though not sure where. Joss Whedon even mentions this in his intro. I mention this because the acting was not completely polished - but very much as good as the series, which I do enjoy. I am not a student of film - just a fan of movies and TV series. So, I don’t know the technical terms, but I do know what I like, and I liked this movie. I like the characters, the actors, the premise and the genre. I will take my entire family to see this movie, I will own the DVD, I will watch it several times the next couple years.

This is a cool setting, and the movie was very entertaining, the story was action packed, suspenseful and in places light and funny, in others very sad. It made me laugh, yell and even cry. Kind of embarrassing to cry when you’re seated next to Margaret Weis - but, I couldn’t help it. :) Additionally, one of the coolest things about last evenings experience was that the people AT the movie all "got it". They were appreciative of the opportunity to see the movie, they were quiet. The guy behind me kicked my chair once - and apologized. We were packed in like sardines, and the theater was full - with some theater staff watching from an aisle. Not one cell phone rang. Nobody talked through any scene. No crying babies, arguing children or loud/obnoxious idiots. Everyone in the theater was quiet, respectful and, maybe - like me, just a bit in AWE of what they were witnessing.

People clapped at several points - and applauded loudly at the end. I heard other fans crying at some scenes, laughing out loud at parts, and a bit of oooohing and aaaaahing at some parts.

If every movie going experience I had was this good, I would see a movie EVERY DAY.

I look forward to this movies theatrical release, and am even MORE excited about the Serenity RPG than before, if that is possible.

If you want a spoiler for the movie, know what happened to which character, contact me off list and I will tell you.

For here I will just say that this is not Star Trek (which I also love). But, in this setting when you are shot, you sometimes die. When you make an enemy, they sometimes kill your friends and loved ones - and nobody does a time-warp-doohickey - when people die in Serenity, the survivors bury them, and move on. I would imagine Joss spent some time as a teenager playing Boot Hill or Traveller2300, or perhaps RoleMaster.

As a gamer, the series was familiar right from the first few seconds of it, and so was the movie. I hope the movie will create new fans, and that novels will follow, more movies, perhaps another TV series someday, Comic Books, more games, action figures and whatever else they can do to keep this setting alive.

Marcus King

"Liberty must not be purchased at the cost of Humanity." --Captain Robert Henner

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Tuesday, May 17, 2005 7:08 AM

RABIT

Huh - good review...

That was a very well written review of the movie. Thanks for posting it.

You're right about there being some suggested spoilers, too.

Rabit

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