Another Bad Amazon Review by rklenseth

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Another Bad Amazon Review

POSTED BY: RKLENSETH
UPDATED: Saturday, March 13, 2004 20:47
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VIEWED: 4553
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Saturday, March 13, 2004 6:43 AM

Firefly deserved to be canned from this showing, March 13, 2004
Reviewer: person from Australia
Why it fell down:
The show starts off with an action packed sequence that draws you in immediately. But once you settle in, the action slows and the typical preachy moralistic American Sci-fi takes over and leaves a lot to be desired. Like Star Trek in many ways but even more moralistic. You not only have the token black representative Male and Female, you get the token Latino female and the token Asian female, there's also a token white female thrown in as the ships mechanic. Just to round out the set, there's the typical glamour white male captain/hero with a major moralistic conscience and the somewhat ugly and totally thick, gun-toting moron, there's also a highly educated doctor thrown in that does little for the show. Despite the seemly forced mixed casting, all characters with the exception of the preacher and possibly the gun-toting moron, work well together to form a semi believable group thrown together without needless culture clashes.

It would be nice to see something different in casting like maybe a slightly unattractive Latino woman playing the leading role. I guess American moviemakers aren't up to the challenge yet.

There is a larger picture background in the series but it doesn't have the size or feel of larger picture backgrounds like in Babylon 5 or Stargate. In short, I guess you could call it a small series about a few nobody's doing nothing much.

The more teckie bits:

Video
The transfer is generally very good with the exception of a noticeable artefact on an early episode. However I found a few errors most notable on the first disk where some shots are frozen for a second while the DVD player continues playing, this leads me to believe the was limited quality control on this release, possibly due to the relatively cheap price of the series.

Audio
No problems detected, a nice catchy tune opens and closes each episode.

Overall
If you have most other Sci-fi flicks already and like Star Trek then this may be worth a look. Consider it after you have purchased all the Stargate/Starwars/Star-Trek series already on offer.

Oh, and play Cantr II at www.cantr.net.

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 6:52 AM

SAINT JAYNE

You know, I was going to respond, but it's just not worth it. I'll just walk away, blinking in confusion.

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 6:56 AM

SOUTHERNMERC

Did he even WATCH the show? Or did he just sit and absorb it like the typical pablum on TV these days demands?

HINT: if it makes neurons fire...it's good for you!

Jayne: "How big a room?"

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 7:09 AM

FIREFLYTHEMOVIE

Quote:
token black representative Male and Female, you get the token Latino female and the token Asian female, there's also a token white female thrown in as the ships mechanic.

I can't even figure out who they're talking about. Zoe's black, apparently Kaylee is still white, which leaves us Inara and River. Which one is Asian, and which one is Latina?

Idiot.

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 7:13 AM

DELIA

Adam Baldwin is "somewhat ugly"? Can dismiss this -- the reviewer is obviously blind, so can't have actually seen Firefly.

Also, I object to the concept that the character of Simon "does little for the show."

I suppose everyone is entitled to their opinions, wrong as certain people may be.

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 7:27 AM

GNOC

Quote:
You not only have the token black representative Male and Female, you get the token Latino female and the token Asian female, there's also a token white female thrown in as the ships mechanic.

I thought the term token meant thrown in because there was not one or was lacking something. That means over half the crew is token.

This reviewer has not gotten into the shows it seems. Especially how it is set up as a huge cultural melting pot. I guess they speak token English and token Chinese as an added token. Very sad he/she decided to spread their fuzzy wisdom on the masses. It won't hurt.. you have about 700 five stars on amazon.

your token fan,
gnoc

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 8:20 AM

ATHERTONWING

as i always say the only token person in a joss whedon show is the english guy, its like a joss whedon trade mark if you will. Buffy has its giles and spike. angel has its wesley and again spike and firefly has badger. I too think they failed to pick up on the whole cultural melting pot part of the show.

once upon a time a review like this would have upset me but for gods sake they watch babylon 5, what does that say about them?

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 9:03 AM

SHADOWVESSEL

What is he/she, the token ASS?

I agree with SaintJayne, this review isn't even deserving of a lash out response.

Oh, but I do watch Babylon 5 and for us B5 fans with our heads NOT in our asses I have to say the token ass doesn't speak for us all.

"I'll be in my bunk."

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 9:03 AM

SHADOWVESSEL

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 9:12 AM

ARAWAEN

I think Morena is from Brazil and that wouldn't qualify as hispanic as I understand the term, but I think some people count it.

Gina Torres is a Cuban American (or American of Cuban descent, however one should say it) so she might qualify for 2 token mentions, though I don't think the silly reviewer is doing so.

Don't know where he comes up with an Asian.

Arawaen

Um, I'm lost. Uh, I'm Angry. And I'm Armed.

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 9:20 AM

HKCAVALIER

The Person from Australia has given me a new concept to chew on: "pancultural tokenism."

Is PFA complaining about the show for being racist and shallow? 'Cause PFA's comments strike me as pretty racist and shallow themselves.

Let me see, Nathan Fillian is glamorous but Adam Baldwin is "somewhat ugly" (lotta depth in that analysis).

Seems even white women are subject to tokenism in Australia.

I can see the call sheet now: "looking for slightly unattractive Latino woman to play lead in new show." Is PFA advocating appearance based afirmative action in casting? "Yeah, I know Gina nailed the role, but I gotta fulfill my ugly-quota, damnit, and she's too flippin' gorgeous!"

What a nut.

Oh, and ha-ha, PFA thought Joss's freeze-framing was a glitch.

HKCavalier

Hey, hey, hey, don't be mean. We don't have to be mean, because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are.

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 11:16 AM

ECMORGAN69

The funniest line in that rather overly-simplified-for-the-lower-primates review was the call for a "slightly unattractive Latino female"

No offense to slightly unattractive Latinas out there, but given the demographic this show was aiming for, can you imagine 18-40 males watching an ugly chick captain a spaceship? Call me a pig all you want to, but if I want to see ugly, I'll look in my mirror or at my coworkers

I watch TV for a bit of escapism, and if it's unrealistic to assume that all women in space are drop-dead-gorgeous, then so be it

They can have my "Firefly" DVDs when they pry them from my cold, dead fingers....

Oh yeah,

you, FOX TV!!

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 11:23 AM

JRC

Quote:
It would be nice to see something different in casting like maybe a slightly unattractive Latino woman playing the leading role. I guess American moviemakers aren't up to the challenge yet.

I hate to sound insulting but, I have a pretty good idea what this person looks like.

"Huh"

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 12:12 PM

ECMORGAN69

Well?? Don't keep us all in suspense...

They can have my "Firefly" DVDs when they pry them from my cold, dead fingers....

Oh yeah,

you, FOX TV!!

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 12:22 PM

CANTTAKESKY

I think the reviewer thinks Summer Glau is Asian.

Can't Take My Gorram Sky

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 12:34 PM

MALSDOXY

I know what did this...

I'll bet he/she works for FOX...only explanation

Haken needs a new development system. Donate.
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=5&t=3283

"Haven't you killed me enough for one day ?"
- Mal, War Stories

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 6:59 PM

DARKJESTER

This "review" is a perfect example of why the internet is so great. It used to be that when you stood on a rooftop and spouted idiocy, only your neighbors would know how stupid you were. But this person in Australia is letting the whole world know!
Then again, maybe the world needs a token idiot or two.........

MAL "You only gotta scare him."
JAYNE "Pain is scary..."

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 7:18 PM

BUTTERFLY043

I think the Hispanic and Asian tags were a reference to Inara and Zoe, respectively!! I wouldn't know myself but I think the fact that the reviewer put labels on them reflects their racism. It doesn't matter that they aren't all white or all black or whatever. And is anyone else confuzzled over the whole 'moralistic' thing. It isn't trying to shake a finger at you and let you know where you're goingwrong in life with each episode. There are no particular morals to the story, atleast not in an obvious, patronising way.

Some people just like to nit pick.

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 7:29 PM

JERRY111

Guys, relaxe. Nothing can please everyone, and that includes TV shows. Plus, everyone is allowed to have their own opinions, since different things appeal to different people.. Right?

Sigh, human nature.

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 7:42 PM

JAHZARA

Quote:
Originally posted by Butterfly043:
I think the Hispanic and Asian tags were a reference to Inara and Zoe, respectively!!

I think Inara is probably supposed to be the Hispanic one and River the Asian one.

That theory (his and mine) would make a lot more sense if River's BROTHER wasn't the poster child for white boy. And the series makes it clear they have the same parents. Anyway...

I think the most unrealistic thing about Firefly is that there will be that many white people in the future. Who knows, if we had seen a few more planets it wouldn't have been.

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 8:06 PM

ANOTHERFIREFLYFAN

There's a token latino female in the cast? Where? I must have missed her...

Oh and YET ANOTHER person thinks that the INTENTIONAL pause effects used during the sponge-bath scene are an error. *rolls eyes*

As for the rest... I won't both to reply to it. *cough*lowlife*cough*

Keep flying

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Saturday, March 13, 2004 8:47 PM

SAMURAIX47

Hmmm Inara... sorta asian sounding name, geisha kind of work... but hails from brazil which is part of Latin America (Central and South Am put together)... so...

River Tam... chinese last name, maybe...

Kaylee... sounds kinda chinese (i'm assuming the reviewer didn't catch her full name) she has the chinese parasol and lots of oriental touches in her room... but then so does Inara...

I'm getting so confused by this obviously confused bloke from down under who claimed to have seen Firefly to write that review.

Oy-veh!

Jaymes "getting all bendy"

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