SPOILER LITE SERENITY REVIEW by AnthonyT

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

SPOILER LITE SERENITY REVIEW

POSTED BY: ANTHONYT
UPDATED: Saturday, May 28, 2005 09:46
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Friday, May 27, 2005 7:34 AM

Freedom is Important because People are Important

Shadows of Firefly

By: Anthony Toledo

This past Thursday, Universal held a preview screening of the movie Serenity, a science fiction romp from the mind of writer/director Joss Whedon. The movie is set to be released at the end of September, but this screening was held by Universal as a way to create excitement in the Firefly fan community for their long awaited movie.

The movie begins very much like a rocket launch. A rumble, a flash, and then steady acceleration. Immersion in the Serenity movie universe is sudden and complete. Much like a child thrown into the deep end of the swimming pool, the viewer is tasked to swim or drown. Unlike most entertainment that spoon-feeds the audience with every detail they need to know in small doses, Serenity assumes you'll catch on and jumps right into the story.

The story of Serenity begins simply, and then layers in complexity and danger at a breakneck pace. In the far future, a gifted youth named River Tam escapes a government research facility with the help of her brother, Simon. The government, concerned over what secrets she might reveal, unleashes a dedicated super-agent known only as 'The Operative' to silence her.

River, meanwhile, has taken refuge on a space freighter named Serenity. For a time it seems that her only sure ally on the ship is her brother, who has taken on the role of ship's doctor. Simon is constantly striving to keep the freighter captain, Malcolm Reynolds, from abusing his sister's talents and putting her in harm's way.

The movie scarcely gives you time to absorb this before throwing in twists, turns, revelations, and new characters. Plot elements and threats to the protagonists are added quickly. I had the sense that Joss Whedodon was fearful that this might be his last romp in this movie universe, and crammed everything into too small a space.

Serenity is a movie that begs to be a trilogy, and in fact the universe of the film hints at sufficient texture and detail to support a series of films. This is hardly surprising, since the movie is based on a television series called Firefly, which enjoyed a brief but glorious existence on network television before it was stamped out by powers that underestimated its potential.

Serenity, though, is no firefly. It is a darker and more dire place that interjects humor not so much to keep the audience laughing, but rather to keep its characters from careening into hopelessness. In fact, Hope is one of a triad of themes in this film that include Faith and Love. One just wishes Joss Whedon had more time to flesh out these themes before he catapults the story into an action-packed ending with a too-neat resolution in a movie that is decidedly dark in tone.

The themes of the movie are all appropriate, however. Serenity is a product of Firefly fans' Faith in Joss Whedon, Love for his universe, and Hope that Serenity will resonate with the masses. It is a gamble whether the highly compressed story will achieve its aims, becoming even a moderate success. In this instance, the gamble lies not so much with the writer/director, but rather with Universal studios.

Will the gamble pay off? I hope so. Though Serenity definitely has its problems, it is a readily entertaining film that assumes the intelligence of its audience. Unlike other recent sci-fi movies, the charm of the film lay not in its flashy effects, but in the interaction of its characters. For that alone, this ship deserves a chance to fly.

My recommendation: Take a trip on Serenity this September. It's worth the ride.

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

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Saturday, May 28, 2005 9:46 AM

ANTHONYT

Freedom is Important because People are Important

Anyone have any differing opinions, similar opinions, on the BDM? Keep it Spoiler lite, if you can. I'd prefer if the comments didn't extend much past the trailer/synopsis already published.

--Anthony

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

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