Serenity | 10th Anniversary Movie Review

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Just some quick backstory. I’ve been writing reviews for a long time. For many years, I would write them for other sites and adhere to their strict critical standards. Then, in the early 2000’s, I had a crazy idea to start my own website, The Hollywood Outsider (though at the time it was just HollywoodOutsider.net, and even before that it was Let’s Talk Movies. Ahh, history). It was like all other entertainment sites at that time and still to this day – news / reviews / opinions, etc. It was pretty successful, but extremely time-consuming and – let’s face it – I wasn’t going to retire off of it, and I decided to shut it down. It was revamped a few years later, and is now the strictly podcast and reviews site that you now find yourself perusing. Many of those older reviews from the startup days have fallen away or have been lost to the archive demons, but “Serenity” is one of the few to survive.

Now we arrive at the 10th anniversary of the release of “Serenity”. I still remember the excitement I had as a fan, preparing to see one of my all-time favorite shows, “Firefly” – one that had died a savage death on network television – brought back-to-life on the big screen for one last adventure. I had absorbed every news article, every minor update on Whedonesque.com, rewatched the show in its entirety numerous times leading up to the film’s release – I was ready! “Serenity” did not do so hot at the box office, but that is completely ok with me. Some fans curse the fact that we never received a sequel, not me. I was absolutely ecstatic that this movie ever saw the light of day, that Joss Whedon kept on fighting and riling up the fans and made this impossible idea become a reality. As fans, we were all a part of the crew of Serenity, nomads discarded by ‘popular culture’ and written off as freaks. We understood these characters and their plight, which is why we loved every single one of them despite their numerous flaws. And like Captain Mal himself, Whedon led us into battle and we came out battered but victorious. Joss did what no one – even us dedicated fans – thought he could. He saved Serenity.

I saw this film 7 times in the theater and lord knows how many times since then at home. And every time, Wash’s ‘leaf’ brings me to tears, Jayne’s ‘YES!’ causes the giggles, River’s ass-kicking gets my fist pumping, and The Operative still pisses me off…yet I understand where he is coming from. This film is such an anomaly to me in how perfectly each of the pieces seems to come together. In fact, I might have to watch it yet again as soon as I finish this post.

So on this 10th anniversary, I wanted to share my original review of one of my favorite films, just to remind everyone how lucky we “Firefly” nuts really were to have this wonderful conclusion. By all accounts and common sense, this film should not exist. Yet, it does. It is the “Rocky” of space operas and I am thankful every day that it somehow found its way into all of our lives. I hope you enjoy this piece of history as much as I did, and please share your stories of the ‘verse and what it’s meant to you in the comments below. We are all one family on this ship, and Joss gave us all a hell of a ride.

Aaron

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Ahh, how do I review my favorite film of the year? How do I encourage you to see a film based on a TV show you probably have never seen? Well, I suppose I can just tell it like it is, or ‘splain it, as they do in the ‘verse. Here are the comparisons before I continue – If you liked the first 3 Star Wars…you would like Serenity. If you prefer the prequels, then you’re an idiot. I KID, I KID! I think Serenity is honestly too good a film to be pigeonholed into one genre because it really does not belong to one. It is sci-fi, with a tinge of western influence, and a large dose of comedy, a dash of horror, a hint of adventure and even some good ole fashioned character development to finish the dish. This is a film that serves numerous tastes while rewarding its longtime fans with a solid conclusion, and it does it well. The biggest thing I could tell you is this: For the first time in a LONG time, I was left wanting more.

But first, let me get this out of the way: I was a fan of the TV show that Serenity is based on. Yes, Serenity was based on a little show called Firefly from a few years ago. What’s that? Never heard of it? That’s ok. Nobody else did either. It was canceled after 11 episodes and was destined to ride off into obscurity. Fortunately for us, the subsequent DVD sales were astounding, and enough to convince a completely unrelated company to buy the rights and make a big DAMN movie. Does this sound like a geek dream to you? You bet your pretty floral bonnet it does! But remember, the show was seen by hardly anyone, and therefore you could have never seen the show and still comprehend this movie. They are kind of like cousins – you know they are related, but you don’t have to see both of them to get what the family’s about.

Now, I was a fan, but not one of these nutty bastards. I don’t own Firefly toilet paper and I don’t have pictures of the cast in my underwear drawer (not anymore anway). I was just a fan of the basic idea of a show set in space, with no aliens and essentially just these merry few trying to make ends meet. The characters were rich, the stories were interesting and most of all, everyone had flaws. There were no noble captains or all-knowing first mates. Everyone had an agenda and they each kept on course. It was one of those shows with deep possibilities that was simply cut before its time.

As I said before, thanks to dedicated fans and strong DVD sales, the movie was green lit. I cannot say this much more strongly than as follows: This is not a 2 hour TV show. You do not have to have seen the short-lived TV series to enjoy the film. The only reason I mention it at all (again) is because most of you that would have heard of it will think that ‘Hey, I didn’t see the show so I won’t get it’. It’s simply not true. I have watched the film with several others, all enjoyed it, who had never even heard of the show. Director Joss Whedon was very particular that he was making a film for newbies, as well as the existing fans. And so he did. Now, onto the Big Damn Movie…

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The film opens with an explanation of the universe we are now engulfed in: It is 500 years in the future and Earth was becoming overpopulated. The two governmental superpowers, the US and China, merged together to create a universal government called the Alliance. The Alliance began seeking out other planets and terraforming them to create new areas for people to populate. The main portions of government exist in the basic circle of planets, while those people that are not a fan of living under Alliance control reside mostly in the outer planets, which exist very much like new frontiers. Poor people, the desperate and the dastardly live here. For some, like Captain Mal Reynolds, a little frontier life is better than having your life dictated.

Via the most bitching transition I’ve seen in years, next we get a prologue of River Tam. River is a psychic who has unwittingly been an Alliance experiment for some time. After River’s brother Simon breaks River free, we learn that River has been in the presence of the most powerful men of the Alliance…and therefore she knows ‘something’ that they cannot allow to be known. In pursuit of the siblings is The Operative, who goes by no name other than just that, and he is the lethal instrument charged with getting River back at any cost. Here is where writer/director Whedon really took a different route: The Operative is not a generic ‘bad guy’. He believes to his very core that his killing and destruction serves a greater good. He knows the deeds he performs are evil, but the reason for doing so he believes justifies these means. It is quite a predicament to have a villain so sympathetic. I really liked this change of course for a film like this, very refreshing.

Flash forward and we come to meet the crew of Serenity. Serenity is not a spaceship or a battle station, it’s a freighter. There are no guns or flashy gadgets. This looks like the type of ship people just trying to get by would hole up in. Captain Malcolm Reynolds (the effortlessly charismatic Nathan Fillion) takes his crew from planet to planet doing any job he can find to keep flying, occasionally even honest ones. As they prepare for their latest bank heist, we get to meet the crew: wisecracking pilot Wash, stoic and loyal first-mate Zoe, ship mechanic with a heart-of-gold Kaylee, mercenary and all around funny as hell Jayne, and of course two stowaways, Simon and River Tam. Mal knows that River is wanted by the Alliance, but to this point he is completely unaware how far they are willing to go to get her back.

The crew is the heart of this film. We also get introduced to former crew members Shepard Book (a preacher with a mysteriously detailed knowledge of the Alliance) and Inara (a stunningly beautiful ‘companion’ – i.e., prostitute. Amazingly enough, prostitution is one of the most legitimate occupations in the future…and another reason to love this universe.) Once it is discovered that River is desperately wanted by the Alliance, and that they would go to any means necessary to get her back, “Serenity” kicks into overdrive. See, Mal is a decent man who does what is best for him and his crew, period. He fought the Alliance in battle and lost, and strongly holds his grudge close to his heart. Even though he doesn’t want to admit it, River means something to him and he refuses to hand her over, even if it means everyone close to him will ultimately die. It’s a matter of honor – or maybe pride – one of those. Despite the crew’s objections, Mal decides to take on the Alliance and save River…well, he wants to anyway. The rest of the film involves Mal and the crew working around the Operative, learning what River knows and finally, taking head-on the awe-inspiring Alliance…and of course the space-zombie-like Reavers thrown in for good measure. With a bold ending and all of our main players each getting their own hero moment, Serenity is one hell of a complete adventure thrill ride!

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Yes, there is plenty of action. There is also tons of character and plot thrown around. Nathan Fillion carries the film as Mal, and he is one of those actors where I could see no one else in that role. Mal is dedicated and loyal to his crew, while extremely flawed and stubborn. He also blatantly violates George Lucas’ little ‘Greedo shoots first’ rule by having Mal shoot not one but THREE unarmed men throughout the course of the film. Finally, some realism for a hero. Mal wants to win, he doesn’t need to look cool to do it and he will do whatever he needs to in order to complete his objective. River (Summer Glau) is the other primary character and as much as I felt like I would not like her being such a large part of the film, Glau carries herself with strength, acts the part wonderfully and also manages to kick some serious ass. Pretty much everyone’s ass. As the 3rd lead, the Operative (Chiwetel Ejiofor) portrays a wonderful menace and purpose as the face of the Alliance. As I said earlier, I was genuinely surprised and thrilled that Whedon took this road with the villain of the piece, and his payoff is much smarter than most sci-fi adventures such as this. Excellent choices abound in this film.

Yes, the rest of the crew were also wonderful but I don’t want to go into all of them, just my favorite – Jayne (Adam Baldwin). Let me just say that Jayne is all muscle with not much time for thought, his actions are primarily warranted only if it betters him and he generally says whatever randomness pops into his head. He is also the most entertaining character in the film. Anytime Jayne opens his mouth, something amusing or awful is bound to come sprinting out, and often speaks for the audience. It’s as if Whedon purposely put a character up against the Captain that would provide the audience someone to speak their mind and avoid cliché. When Jayne has the nerve to question his Captain’s intent, Mal does the cliché thing and screams at him ‘You wanna run this ship?!’… To which our beloved Jayne, of course, replies ‘YES!’ There are bits like this scattered throughout and are consistently hilarious. I want Adam Baldwin and Vince Vaughn in a movie NOW so I can laugh my ass off for 2 hours straight.

For a film on a limited budget, Serenity shines throughout – the effects and pacing are extremely fluid, keeping the story building and only slowing down for things of necessity. Which is refreshing, because if you’ve ever seen a “Star Wars” or even “Star Trek” flick, you know there is always 10 minutes here and there that bore the ever-loving shit out of you. This doesn’t happen here. Even when the film does slow, there is a purpose and always something of interest. I have watched this flick 7 times now since it hit theaters and I still enjoy it as much as the first. A feat I haven’t enjoyed with a film in many years. I can officially go on record – I enjoy “Serenity” more than the first “Star Wars”.

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As for the DVD, aside from the most hideous artwork for a DVD cover I can remember seeing for any film that wasn’t directed by Roger Corman, the extras are decent. We actually have several deleted scenes that actually SHOULD have been in the movie. Hopefully there will be an extended cut because I, unlike Mr. Whedon, feel they added to the story. There is also one hell of a detailed commentary by Whedon that explains, um, everything. Every…single…thing. There are also a few featurettes detailing the ship itself, special effects and of course how the fans brought this ship out of dry dock. We are also treated to an amusing little introduction by Whedon himself that was filmed for the first screening to the dedicated fans of the previous incarnation. I would have liked more, as is available on the Region 4 version, but I can live with this set…for NOW.

So in closing, “Serentity” is a rare $10 for me, and easily my favorite film of 2005. The story, effects, action and characters hit on all cylinders for me and I haven’t had this much fun at a movie in a long time. Let me say that again, because that is easily the best word to describe the film – This flick is pure, unadulterated FUN!

Thank you, Joss. Thank you for creating this world, for seeing it through, and for giving us die-hard fans the closure we so desperately needed. You just earned yourself a lifetime pass from geeks everywhere.

Hollywood Outsider Movie Review

Acting - 10
Story - 10
Bringing Firefly Back To Life - 10

10

If $10 is the full price of admission, Serenity is worth $10

Don’t own Serenity? Stop being a reaver, it’s time to misbehave!

 

Aaron Peterson
The Hollywood Outsider

About Aaron B. Peterson

Aaron is a Rotten Tomatoes accredited film critic who founded The Hollywood Outsider podcast out of a desire to offer an outlet to discuss a myriad of genres, while also serving as a sounding board for the those film buffs who can appreciate any form of art without an ounce of pretentiousness. Winner of both The Academy of Podcasters and the Podcast Awards for his work in film and television media, Aaron continues to contribute as a film critic and podcast host for The Hollywood Outsider. He also hosts several other successful podcast ventures including the award-winning Blacklist Exposed, Inspired By A True Story, Presenting Hitchcock, and Beyond Westworld. Enjoy yourself. Be unique. Most importantly, 'Buy Popcorn'. Aaron@TheHollywoodOutsider.com