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The W - Movies & TV - Serenity (Spoilers Abound)
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Excalibur05
Knackwurst








Since: 19.1.02
From: Minnesota

Since last post: 2915 days
Last activity: 2783 days
#1 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.73
Just got around to seeing it today. Some random thoughts:

-It was nice to see they kept the cast interaction up from the series. Some of it seemed a little forced (the Kaylee/Simon romance has no spark, but provided a good site gag there at the end). Jayne and Mal still crack my shit up.

-The story wasn't what I was expecting, but it was fine.

-Actually, I sort of take that back. Joss still has an uncanny knack for great dialog, of which there was a ton in this movie. Very quippy, which is great for fans like me. But the problem is that he can't, other than Season 3 of Buffy, string a coherent plot together for more than a few scenes at a time. The middle was very jumpy from the first fight between Mal and the Operative and the big reveal on Miranda. But even then, the overall plot wasn't particularily satisfying.

-Fun to see the guy from Numb3rs in there for a little bit, even if his role was tres cliche.

-I have a hard time believing that sequals (apparently there are two) are in the works. You kill off Book? Fine, he wasn't particularily important in the grand scheme of things, but to kill Wash? Come on. You could tell the "Firefly" fans in the theater, because none of us liked that too much.

It's kind of another metaproblem with Joss Whedon. He seems to really get off making an ensamble cast that works really, really well together, and then martyring them out of existance to shake things up in the story (Tara and Anya on Buffy, Doyle and Fred on Angel). But it's stupid in this case, really. If the movie does well, it would be best to retain the orginal cast for as many sequels as possible. To kill one off is impactful, sure (though Wash's ultimately wasn't until the very last scene), but it's also remarkably pigheaded and short term thinking. Especially if its a character fans like.

I dunno. I guess of the main cast, Wash and Zoe were the most expendable, but I would have liked to have seen them slow burn a major cast member death until at least the second sequel (and if they don't make it that far, then to not do one at all, or have it be Book, since he was a primary cast member on Firefly).



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In a spectacular way
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EddieBurkett
Boudin blanc








Since: 3.1.02
From: GA in person, NJ in heart

Since last post: 63 days
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#2 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.25
I thought the plot was fairly coherent. At least, in the sense that you could see where the individual episodes would have been had this been told over a season and not a movie. I'll agree that the plot wasn't all that satisfying, but that's probably because after watching how well he can pay off a year or more of story arc, whatever he could do with only two hours would be underwhelming. I would have loved to have seen the Operative as major bad ass villain for a season.

I wouldn't put alot of stock in a sequel ever seeing the light of day. The studio said $80 million is the target, and if the movie can earn that much then the sequel(s?) will be greenlit. The movie had a $10 million opening weekend, so it would seem the fight is an uphill one at best.

That said, I was disappointed about Book. I didn't mind that he left the ship and was sacrficed, but as he died, so did the subplot about his past. I suppose Joss accepted that without a tv show he didn't have an outlet to tell that story. I should have realized at the time that when Book told Mal something to the effect of "You don't need to know about my past," that Joss was wrapping that subplot up.

As for Wash, I agree that his death should have meant more, but I think someone needed to be sacrificed to establish that the crew was in legitimate danger at the end. Otherwise, while your watching, you get the feeling that Joss is going to save the cast for a possible sequel, and there's a lack of suspense. Once Wash went, I realized that all bets were off on the rest of the cast, and so when Zoe gets her back cut, or Kaylee takes the needle hits, or Simon gets shot, any of those hits could legitimately be lethal. Wash was expendable because he had minimal combat experience, since the ship was grounded he had no function, his death provides some drama for Zoe, and Kaylee and Jayne can still provide comic relief. I think that the removal of Book from the ship was Joss acknowledging that the size of the cast previously had been dictated by the concept of the tv show, and that he needed to start whittling down characters for the movie(s?).

I would love to see this movie with someone who had never seen the show before. I was able to follow it all, but I own the DVD's.

The opening sequence that was a narrative that was a lecture that was a dream that was a holographic flashback was awesome.

Was anyone else quietly thinking it would be awesome if the Operative asked to join the crew at the end? I love that Mal disposed of him without killing him. The set up with the paralysis was well done.

Why am I thinking that Book was an Operative who, after losing his faith in the system, became a Shepherd?

I loved that, in typical Whedon fashion, it was the Operative's own words that gave Mal the idea to disguise the ship as Reavers.

Joss did realize that, especially given that triangular axe type weapon she was holding at the end, River came off looking like a Buffy clone, right? That was intentional, right? I mean, Joss will forever be pigeon-holed whenever he does a strong female character, but I'd swear that axe-thing was taken from S3 Ep1.

This movie needed a cameo from Badger!

(edited by EddieBurkett on 3.10.05 1040)


"Now that you've built up the courage to get into the gym, let me give you five reasons why you should put in the time to train with consistency: 1. Increased strength 2. Improved self-confidence 3. Injury prevention 4. Self-discipline 5. Sex (Trust me, you'll have a better shot with the ladies if you're in shape.)" -- Making the Game, pp. 14 - 15
TheMASKEDComputerGeek
Chourico








Since: 7.1.02
From: Franklin, Wisconsin

Since last post: 2623 days
Last activity: 1753 days
#3 Posted on | Instant Rating: 1.94
    Originally posted by EddieBurkett
    Why am I thinking that Book was an Operative who, after losing his faith in the system, became a Shepherd?



Because it's kind of obvious through the dialogue between Mal and Book that Joss is making that inference.



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uberlou
Merguez








Since: 26.3.03
From: Glendale, Cali

Since last post: 5061 days
Last activity: 4832 days
#4 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.23
I saw the movie twice this weekend and was left speechless and totally numb. It was a mix of emotions, but you know what? After the second viewing,I can definitely say I loved this movie.

Okay, for the obvious stuff:
Book's death was shocking. I mean if you followed the series (and watched it quite a few times), you'd be every attached to the cast since they had such great chemistry. In the movie, Book wasn't really as attached to the crew to shock the casual viewers too much, but it was a shock to the fans. So we probably wouldn't expect another death.

"I'm a leaf on the wind" BAM!

Wash's death came out of nowhere and it all happened so quickly that you were left there with your mouth hanging open for 5 minutes going "oh my god. what the fuck? holy shit!" then Zoe gets sliced in the back, Kaylee with the darts, and Simon gets shot. For a minute there, I thought that everyone could actually die and not come out of it (forgetting the fact that the whole cast signed on for 3 movies. more on that later). Wash's death and everything that came after it left me on the edge of my seat for the rest of the movie. From then on, I felt ANYTHING could really happen.

That, to me, made the film an enjoyable experience since I can't remember any other film that's made me feel this way (of course the attachment to the characters and show fueled this)

    Originally posted by EddieBurkett
    That said, I was disappointed about Book. I didn't mind that he left the ship and was sacrficed, but as he died, so did the subplot about his past. I suppose Joss accepted that without a tv show he didn't have an outlet to tell that story. I should have realized at the time that when Book told Mal something to the effect of "You don't need to know about my past," that Joss was wrapping that subplot up.


As I mentioned, the whole cast is signed up for 3 movies. What makes you think the 2nd movie won't explore Book's backstory (which Joss did mention one time as a possible plot for a future movie)? They could find some info on Book which ties into the alliance, and over the course of the story find out things that explain Book's past which will help them in their fight against the Alliance. Book could appear in flashbacks and whatnot. And the whole "you don't need to know about my past" line seemed more to me as a setup for the future storyline, since any casual viewer wouldn't know anything about all the stuff with Book on the show.

Maybe i'll let SchippeWreck elaborate further (since he saw it 3 times this weekend and we've both been going ubergeeky over it) on the deaths of Wash and Book in the context of the movie and all that, since he made some good points over a chat last night with friends.

Overall, i'm just happy my big damn heroes made it to the big screen. It didn't have a HUGE opening weekend, but i'm hoping word of mouth keeps it alive. Really, all us fans who bought/watched/threw viewing parties for the DVD made this happen.

In both screenings I saw, people seemed to really enjoy it, and at times, you can pick out the Browncoats from the casual moviegoers.




Petey Williams and Frankie Kazarian having a moment before their tag match.

Wrestling, gay? pfffft...
komarkaze
Mettwurst








Since: 9.1.03
From: VA

Since last post: 5640 days
Last activity: 5637 days
#5 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.72
I loved Serenity and really hope they make enough money to justify a trilogy. Nothing will ever beat having a full TV season though. The major problem with TV shows that get made into movies is you expect all the minor characters to say and do more meaningful things, but there is not enough time to show it. I would have loved to see more from Simon, Inara, Book, Kaylee and Wash.

I didn't see the two deaths coming, but being a Joss Whedon fan, I should have. Joss has never had a problem killing off a beloved character to underscore the real danger all the characters face, and he's great at it. By the third act, I was really afraid they'd all die. I'll miss Book and Wash.

If they do end up making a sequel, I think it will have to do with the Blue Sun Corporation, as that is something that wasn't dealt with in the movie that I expected to see tied to River. The Serenity prequel comics led me to believe I would see them in some capacity.




Can't stop the Signal
odessasteps
Scrapple








Since: 2.1.02
From: MD, USA

Since last post: 3571 days
Last activity: 3538 days
#6 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.41

I'm glad that the Operative didn't join the crew. that would have been decidely predictable. That said, he could be "an ally" at some point in the future.

Once everyone was wounded in teh final fight, I thought, "uh oh. It's the Angel finale all over again." And River's going psycho on the Reavers seemed very Buffy-esque.





Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine
The Affirmation, Baby Blog
drjayphd
Scrapple
Moderator








Since: 22.4.02
From: New Hampshire

Since last post: 766 days
Last activity: 350 days
ICQ:  
#7 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.69
    Originally posted by odessasteps

    I'm glad that the Operative didn't join the crew. that would have been decidely predictable. That said, he could be "an ally" at some point in the future.

    Once everyone was wounded in teh final fight, I thought, "uh oh. It's the Angel finale all over again." And River's going psycho on the Reavers seemed very Buffy-esque.




Possible, but the audience at the test screening I'd been to a couple of months ago popped HUGE when the doors opened up and River's standing there.



You wanted the best, you got... Out of Context Quote of the Week.

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Del
Weisswurst








Since: 6.12.04
From: The universe of nothing-but-shrimp.

Since last post: 6439 days
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#8 Posted on | Instant Rating: 1.91
Depending on how I feel about Sin City the next time I pop it in, Serenity is my early pick for MotY. That last act in particular was one of the most tense things I've ever seen on screen. After good ol' Hoburn got impaled, I feared for the entire cast. Then SLASH! Zoe goes down. BLAM! Jayne takes one in the shoulder. FFFT! Kaylee gets a neckful of darts. BLAM! Simon takes a gutshot. Only Inara came out of these unscathed, strangely enough.

For the uninitiated, the first nine minutes have been put online as a marketing ploy. Click here. Worry not about viruses and the like; the paranoid Windows types I know tell me it's quite safe.



As always, I blame Khan.
The Vile1
Lap cheong








Since: 4.9.02
From: California

Since last post: 5456 days
Last activity: 5188 days
#9 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.46
With a 50%+ dropoff in the second weekend BO...I don't see Universal wanting to spend more money on this franchise. Universal's Van Helsing and The Hulk probably made enough money with DVD and intl. sales to be considered profitable...but you don't hear any sequel/spin-off talk for those movies anymore.

Maybe they can go with a Sci-Fi channel mini or direct to DVD avenue. But I'd say chances of a cinematic trilogy right now look pretty low .
Peter The Hegemon
Lap cheong








Since: 11.2.03
From: Hackettstown, NJ

Since last post: 61 days
Last activity: 30 days
#10 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.13
One question: How do you suppose they managed to coordinate with the Reavers for the trip to Miranda, yet not manage to get them to not try to kill the crew?
EddieBurkett
Boudin blanc








Since: 3.1.02
From: GA in person, NJ in heart

Since last post: 63 days
Last activity: 1 day
#11 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.46
    Originally posted by Peter The Hegemon
    One question: How do you suppose they managed to coordinate with the Reavers for the trip to Miranda, yet not manage to get them to not try to kill the crew?


They didn't coordinate with the Reavers. They just disguised themselves as Reavers. Apparently, Reavers won't attack each other, so the plan was to act like a Reaver ship and slip through in plain sight.



"Now that you've built up the courage to get into the gym, let me give you five reasons why you should put in the time to train with consistency: 1. Increased strength 2. Improved self-confidence 3. Injury prevention 4. Self-discipline 5. Sex (Trust me, you'll have a better shot with the ladies if you're in shape.)" -- Making the Game, pp. 14 - 15
Peter The Hegemon
Lap cheong








Since: 11.2.03
From: Hackettstown, NJ

Since last post: 61 days
Last activity: 30 days
#12 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.13
    Originally posted by EddieBurkett
      Originally posted by Peter The Hegemon
      One question: How do you suppose they managed to coordinate with the Reavers for the trip to Miranda, yet not manage to get them to not try to kill the crew?


    They didn't coordinate with the Reavers. They just disguised themselves as Reavers. Apparently, Reavers won't attack each other, so the plan was to act like a Reaver ship and slip through in plain sight.


Well, yeah, I got that, but then, when they confronted the whole government fleet, the rest of the Reavers popped out right behind them. (On further review, I think this was on the way from Miranda to Mr. Universe's place, not going to Miranda--my bad.) That seemed like a lot more than fortuitous timing.
odessasteps
Scrapple








Since: 2.1.02
From: MD, USA

Since last post: 3571 days
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#13 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.41

I thought they were disguised as a "dead ship" so that the reavers would let them alone.





Mark Coale
Odessa Steps Magazine
The Affirmation, Baby Blog
J. Kyle
Banger








Since: 21.2.02
From: The Land of Aloha

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#14 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.13
X-E's co-Worst Poster of all time! JKyle.com says:

They intentionally outed themselves to the Reavers, and led them into a chase.

Head on into the Alliance.



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Fuzzy Logic
Summer sausage








Since: 31.3.02
From: Happy Valley - Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

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#15 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.35
Opened fire on a reaver ship and riled 'em up somthin' fierce.

and I ain't had nothin' twixt my legs for a year that weren't battery operated.
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