Serenity (2005)

[spacemonkey]

Title: Serenity (2005)

Director: Joss Whedon

Cast: Nathan Fillion, Summer Glau, Jewel Staite, Adam Baldwin

Review:

Joss Whedon is known to freaks and geeks around the world (myself included) as the creator of the two hit television series Angel and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The series where incredibly huge hits the world over. So who would have thought that his next tv series called Firefly would be a complete and utter failure? As soon as it hit air waves it got cancelled after just a few episodes. Well, Whedon didnt give up with the universe that he had created and decided to put all his efforts in making a film out of a failed television series, with no stars and a small budget. Sounds like a sure fire way to make a flop no? Guess again! This movie rocked!

This movie takes place in a future in which the human race could no longer go on living on earth alone. Overpopulation got the best of humanity. So, once humanity discovers this whole other galaxy with planets suitable for human colonization they start populating those planets . At the same time, the government is working on creating a new race of warriors and they are experimenting on a girl called Rain Tam. Her brother decides to fly in with the help of a bounty hunter/thief called Mal and rescues her from the grasps of the evil government. Now the government wants Rain back because she has something hidden in her memory that can harm them. What is the secret? And just what is Rain truly capable of doing with her abilities?

Well, to be honest I expected this movie to be a royal turd. With all the bad omens that it had, I wasnt expecting this movie to be a big hit in theaters and I thought it would probably get ignored by the masses, which it was. I was like Joss Whedon invented Buffy, come on. That wasnt enough guarantee for me that Serenity was going to be any good. I mean theres a big difference between making a tv show and making a movie. Movies command slightly more complex stories, better effects, better actors. Lets face it, everything would have to be top notch so I wouldnt feel like I was watching just another tv show that got lucky enough to go on the silver screen. Well, Im happy to inform you my friends that this movie achieved all that and managed to actually surprise me with how good it was!

First off, we get a good solid story. And this is one of Whedons gifts. The dude can write good funny dialogue and he can come up with a kick ass story. Theres no doubt about that! Heck, the guys has written a gazillion episodes of Buffy and Angel, all that experience in constructing an entertaining, interesting story has to count for something huh? And that experience shows. The story for Serenity will keep you interested every step of the way, revealing bit by bit its story at just the right pace. And a good story it has. This film reminded me of Star Trek in a way because its science fiction with something to say. Any smart viewer can make associations with todays world events and the story in this film. And I loved that. But its not just about making allegories to current events. The film mixes its interesting story with some truly kick ass action and likable characters.

The characters in the film led by Capt. Mal are very layered and ambiguos. They are not cardboard cut outs. And I think its one of Joss Whedons abilities to write characters who are not entirely perfect. Angel was a vampire with an ugly pastbut he had a soul and was trying to do some good. And now with Serenity we get Capt. Mal a thief/bounty hunter who used to be a soldier and ends up being the hero of the film. This character is funny, likable but has an edge to him. Liked him right away! Summer Glau the actress who plays Rain Tam, the girl who the government wants to recover is a great character, and yet again as many of Joss Whedons characters, she has a dark side to her. Here I was thinking that this movie was just going to be an excuse to create another female hero ala Buffybut this film isnt like that at all. Rain has a dark side to her. The movie doesnt completely focus on her which is something that I was fearing. She part of a team. And the movie isnt only about her.

The action sequences are fantastic! Theres a sequence that involves a hovercraft, that really cought me off guard at how great it was. Theres a battle sequence in space thats amazing as wellthe movie is filled with some really good extended action sequences. And the effects where a nice mixture of CGI and real props. In other words for the most part, the hover craft sequence looks solidly real! Theres some cool fight sequences that also were very entertaining. I though, oh no, here we go again with some stupid ass fight ala the dumb fights we see on Buffynot so! Rain has some kick ass moves that were so cool I had to instantly rewind to see what she had just done. Clap worthy fighting.

The villains in this film are great as well. We get this government operative who is in charge of regaining Rain Tam for the government that is a 100 alculating evil bastard! Then we get the reavers wich is this race of people who have gone crazy and violent. I loved those creatures, and its not necessarily because they are cool looking monsters or anything. Its more about this feeling of complete evil that they eradiate. They feel like a really true threat for our heroes. There was an element of horror to these characters wich I loved. Speaking of which, since non of the cast is made up of famous actors or WB teens, well, you feel like any of them could bite it at any given moment. In all honesty I think this fact helped the movie immensely.

Well, in conclusion, this movie surpassed my expectations. Joss Whedon, using all the training he had in creating both Buffy and Angel, has managed to make an entertaining, action packed, funny and thought provoking film. I honestly dont have anything bad to say about this film! Kudos to Whedon and I truly hope that this movies fan base grows with time and becomes a cult favorite, cause this movie didnt need to be ignored by everyone. It was actually good.

Rating: 5 out of 5

[Sh8dy Milkman]

Glad you liked it but...

Her name is RIVER...lol not rain. But seriously, I'm glad you liked it.

[XCoRyX]

Just finished watching this one minutes ago. Never watched the show with a firm mindset,just flicked past it occasionally. But due to the trailer and good word of mouth I had to pick this up (and its also free since I work at a video store). The other flicks I rented I had no expectations,or very little. This one was the exception as I went into this with strong expectations due to such awesome word of mouth.

And it surpassed.

Really,really awesome movie. Nathan Fillion deserves and should be one of the top actors out there,dude kicks too much ass. I never was even a fan of the TV show, but for some reason was intrigued to check this out,and I'm an instant fan of it. Definetly one of the best science fiction movies i've got the blessing of checking it out.

7.5/10

[Cronos]

after finding Firefly surprisingly entertaining i couldnt wait to watch Serenity and i loved it, very entertaining all the way through, good script with some excellent dialogue and actual character development. the effects are also great especially towards then end.

one of the best sci-fi films ive seen in the last few years

9/10

[Maddiegirl]

I loved this movie... 10/10

[Derrida]

Best gorram movie of 2005