Serenity movie review Pt.1 by Scene-Stealers.com

[CvijaFaQ]

I also think that the movie only works if you have seen all or at least most of the episodes beforehand. Would never show it to someone who's already not familiar with Firefly.

[TheDissident77]

guy on left, if he had paid attention, the back story is given at beginning but in much more creative way. Listen to dvd commentary. I hadn't even known of the series when I saw movie. LIked movie, got it, series does reveal certain character traits, dynamics etc. but nothing too important to enjoy and get whats going on in movie.

[heroesandcons09]

wasn't a fan of the movie who the fuck was Mr Universe I mean I think I've seen almost every episode of firefly not one episode did they mention Mr Universe

[TheDissident77]

@heroesandcons09 - its called, A NEW CHARACTER. Just like the Operative, who wasn't in the series. Amazing how writers do that, write new stuff sometimes.

[heroesandcons09]

@TheDissident77 true however I don't know who he is or how the whole group know him. Although its not necessary it bugs me that I know little to nothing about this guy.

[equinox9]

Oh and that with Joss Whedon directing Avengers will be awesome.

[equinox9]

FINALLY watched this film. Only got into firefly 3 months ago then had exams in between middle. Suffice to say mind=blown.

[XxzavierxX920]

GOD DAMN IT YOUTUBE I JUST WANT TO REPLAY TE SWEET ASS BEGINNING!!! QUIT DELETEING PEOPLES VIDS!

[EducationalFilms]

I thought the same thing as the guy on the left when I first saw the movie. Then I decided to give the TV series a shot and it turned out to be awesome. Serenity is now one of my favorite sci fi movies ever made.

[smurfyday]

"this series is the reason why i won't to learn chinese."

Looks like you need to learn English first. =)

[BlueStrikeP]

oh, there's a show about this? hmm... gonna have to check that out... haha i guess I watched thngs backwards, but it was a kick ass movie

[ProjectPhendrana]

Did the little communication screen look 5000x clearer than it was in the series to anyone else? 

[lilrizq]

Han Solo without a purpose is the best way to describe this amazing Sci Fi TV show. The movie was just as amazing as the series. and like the guy to the right said, they made the movie on a budget that is considered low to block buster movie directors. and the movie was still just as good as any other sky rocket budget film. this series is the reason why i won't to learn chinese.

[itsawonderfulday789]

I've never seen Firefly, and I thought the movie was great.

[BlueSun1157]

That dude in the blazer seems like he needs to take a pooh or something; what a sourpuss..... You know? People who can't immediately understand the subtle craftsmanship of Serenity/Firefly are the same sort of people who the Star Wars prequels and Transformers are made for..... Whatever......

[filesunavailable]

wish they would bring firefly

[baillou2]

"Either you know about Serenity or you don't."

..... Thanks, Captain Obvious.

[Kaprah91]

i decided to watch Serenity a few days ago, and yes, without some insight from Firefly, Serenity the movie doesn't make sense. And because of that, I'm now downloading Firefly and from what I've seen so far, it's ok... not the best show ever, but it works. Once I finish the series I'll watch the movie and make something out of it.

[MrTroves]

Having watched Firefly and Serenity and loving them both, I was greatly disappointed in the fact that Fox decided to get rid of it, mostly because the Network didn't advertise it and had it on at crappy times. Just goes to show that if you have a show as bad ass as this, the Fox Network will still find some way to frak it all up.

[SalvageB292]

I saw a few episodes on sci fi before the film, only about 3, so i didn't know it all but it made sense without all the info.

And I think they're comparing oranges and apples, Serenity and Firefly work in very different ways to Star Trek. ST is more of the emotion around difficult and endearing events with action thrown in expertly. Serenity/Firefly is more of an action based show with themes written aroung a central, action orientated premise. Two things completely.

[IGNsucks]

I fucking love this show and the movie and anyone who thinks otherwise needs to die.

[IrishGodThe4th]

The show and the movie are both some of my favourite sci-fi ever.

[eraseragenda]

the action in this movie was decent, but the characters were cliche, some poorly acted, and the dialogue sounded like it was written by a teenager. I can't believe I was told this was one of the best sci-fi series ever before watching it. It makes the fifth element seem like a good movie

[ThorgarBlutaxt]

I saw the movie first and i had no clue obout the fact that it´s based on a TV Show. I went out the theater and thaught this was a really good movie. So i got me the DVD box of the TV Show and i was hooked from episode one! What im trying to say is, that you don´t need to see the episodes to enjoy the movie!

And of course it makes me so sad that they couldn´t shoot more episodes, because the show defines a whole new level of TV-Entertainment!

My name is Thorgar

and i am a Browncoat!

[springerjkreb]

They got it wrong. The main character isn't Mal, it's Serenity.

[AussieZac]

The guy on the right is acting like a total irrational dick

[razrblade0kiss0]

I agree you need to see the show to appreciate the movie <3

[KnightofMotley]

It did encapsule the series, rather than merely continue the story. In the best tradition of serious Sci-Fi, it points to the moral, rather than concentrate on adventure. Too bad people are too dumbed down to get it.

[ipodkiller6]

I watched this movie two years ago having no idea what it was based on and I really, really liked it. I think I'm gonna buy it on blu-ray.

[triordanmn]

FYI I was introduced to the movie before the series. I found that this Movie was great as a stand alone...

[Nickadollar]

I originally saw Serenity without seeing seeing the TV show and thought it was a really enjoyable and interesting movie. Afterwards I felt compelled to buy firefly on DVD and I absolutely love it. Since then I have tried to convince all my friends to watch it. I've got 2 of them hooked on it already, i doubt it will be hard to hook the rest on it :)

[griffin7564]

what am i not getting? this movie was idiotic..at one point the dude does "you're damaging my calm" wtf??

[TheMostEvilDarkLord]

it's meant to be symbolic. Watch the series then you will get it

[HalfLifeHalfDead]

such a silly review. Thumbs down to both of you.

[mik1984]

Firefly: best sci-fi show ever to be prematurely aborted in the history of TV. Any counterexamples? I don't mean shows that were canceled after fourth season, like "battlestar galactica". Shows should end at the right time and not be watered down to nonsense like "lost" or "prison break".

[Bogafrog]

I love Buffy and Angel and Firefly!!! I haven't seen Serenity but i want to!!!!! Love stuff Joss Wheden does and love how he makes them funny and cheesy and AWESOME!!!!

[TinkersSword]

I had never heard of firefly before I watched serenity but by the first 10 minutes you get a good understanding of everyone and who they are. The movie itself gives its background with the exception that Inara is a whore and shepard is part of the crew but both of those don't matter in the movie. Point is I got enough background to enjoy the movie from the movie.

[Lameredelaria]

I loved this film!!! I am a Firefly fan but my Brother who never saw an episode loved Serenity when he saw it!

It only made him want to watch the series after seeing the film. The Movie was only more enjoyable after seeing the series!

[thorgilt]

The movie was very good, and was enjoyable on it's own.

BUT, to totally understand it, you really HAD to have seen the tv show because all the characters had a back history.

So I have to agree with the guy on the left, without knowing the background, you are kind of wondering what it's all about outside of being a good action space flick.

Now excuse me while I put disk 3 of Firefly in and see the episodes one more time.

Fox didn't give it much of a chance when they aired it out of order.

[overthemoo]

I had my dad come see Serenity with me when it came out. He understood it and he was half-asleep, mind you, not because of the film but because it was around the time he normally went to sleep. But we did go back to see it again because he wanted to see it once more and not force himself to stay awake. :) After the first time we saw it, right when we got home, he asked me for my dvds; Not to find out what he didn't understand but because he wanted to see more of what he enjoyed so much.

[squirrelywrath2]

I saw the movie first and then the series, and i totally got it lol

[TheHamburglar91]

I disagree with the guy to the left, I watched this movie without even realizing there was a TV show and I got it. You'd have to be a little slow to not understand the premise, the backstory is unnecessary. I just watched the series and it wasn't necessary to see it, but it was amazing nonetheless.

[Brrrniss]

I disagree with that guy too. I knew Serenity was made from Firefly but I still saw the movie without having watched the show. I understood it and I didn't need the back story at all. I've seen a few episodes since then and it is really good but unnecessary for the film.

[abcd1119123]

same here lol . I watched the movie then the tv show and i understood everything!

[Hegemon54]

I saw this movie before I knew it was even based on a show. I later went back and bought the series on dvd and my god it was sooo good and made me enjoy the movie that much more. If you can I HIGHLY recommend purchasing both the series and movie on dvd. (my best buy had a sale on the series recently for like $12.95)

[grindkerensky]

i saw serenity before i saw the series and i must say after i discovered that serenity was a movie from a series, and watched the episodes i really understood the movie a whole lot better

havent heard of firefly cause iam german and the series never came here in TV nor anyone said anything about it :/

[thanks51]

I had to watch serenity a few times before I understood the premise.

[lucasleivia]

haha "because your used to the slow oh were star trekkin..."

haha i love that guy. this was a great film, i never heard of it before only watched it cos id seen everything else but i got so into it i went looking for the firefly episodes. then i watched all 13 episodes practically back to back. loved it, for me it gave the same sense of discovering a new world as i got watching lotr. fuck yoda and the force; river tam would wipe the floor with any jedi without even breaking a sweat.

[loravine]

I had never ever heard of Firefly until I had purchased Serenity on DVD and watched it frequently. I loved it, I loved the characters and the plot...

And then I discovered Firefly and I was Joyous.

[LegoIndiana]

Oh, come on JD...

I watched Serenity long before I watched the show, Firefly, and I loved the movie! It was the best sci-fi I had seen since Star Wars and Star Trek... oh yeah, I too am a big fan of those franchises:)

[SonofDreamfinder]

BROWN COATS UNITE!!!!!

[griffin7564]

are you kidding me?! i just saw this movie and it blows chunks! the characters are undeveloped, have no personality and just try to create cool catch prhases and fail miserably. the story is pretty lame involving some guy that wants to take over the world or worlds like we havent seen that before. even the specail effects are lame. ugh why does everyone love this movie?!

[yanautopia]

Undeveloped and have no personality? Go watch Firefly, then go back and watch Serenity. From this comment you appear to have no grasp of the story at all.

The Operative doesn't want to take over the world. Look it over again.

[griffin7564]

well iv never seen that show in my life. and i did watch the movie he wanted to control everyone or something. but the characters where bland exept that one guy that they where talking to over a broadcast or something but of course he got stabbed =|. the only cool part was when the evil guy was like count ur sins or sumthing like that and the captain said im a fan of all of them then he attacks him that was cool.

[Skep155]

For one your 14, most fourtneen year olds have no idea what a good movie is.

[griffin7564]

omg how did u kno i was 14?! i like good movies name me some movies u think are good..heres soem i like: pineapple express, yes man, stranger then fiction, austion powers, alien, and ironman. =)

[islanumblar]

wow, it's amazing that I enjoyed and understood this movie more than a 14 year and I was 12 when I first saw this

[lollipopfop]

That explains why you liked it. I would have loved it at 12yrs old too. But adults usually expect better.

[lucasleivia]

mr universe? you watched it and mr universe was your favourite character :s

maybe you should watch something a bit more your age, like the fuckin teletubies

[Canuckification]

Because they loved the series. The movie was pretty good if you knew and liked the series.

[Kashrlyyk]

@Canuckification The movie/story is filled with stereotypes and cliches. And Whedon's obsession with magical girls doesn`t help either.

Wash,Mal and Zoe are the only really good characters. The rest are not really important in the movie or just cliche.

A good movie that you can watch, but definitely not great, especially because ridiculously cliched River Tam.

[lollipopfop]

Mostly because Joss Whedon made it. Its not exactly great. But it is better if you see the tv show.

[darkraerae]

I havn't seen this film in like 2 years!

... *zooms to DVD store down the road!*

[psychicllamakiller]

You don't need to watch Firefly to enjoy Serenity, but

1: it definitely helps and

2: you should watch Firefly anyway

[Nyxchan]

"I'm saying Star Trek has no urgency."

YES. THIS. SO MUCH THIS.

[relworp69]

I also saw the movie before I saw the series. Seems to be a theme here. Don't think Fox advertized enough for Firefly, because I hadn't even heard of it before the movie came out, and I'm a sci-fi nut.

[AnarchalPatriarch]

Saw the movie before I saw the series; loved it. Went out immediately to find the series; loved it.

[OneEyedJack1970]

Mal and Han are both smugglers and both ex-military. There are a lot of similarities. But there are many differences as well. I can't see Han letting a couple of fugitives live on his ship, but then again, I can't very well see Mal attacking the Death Star, either.

[superhypersugarkitty]

i saw the movie and loved it before i ever knew there was a series. It can definitely stand by itself, though it is alot better after you've seen the tv show.

[theZombieBunnie]

I actually saw Serenity before the series, and i love it as a movie. i also love firefly too!

[banksalott1]

Han Solo and Malcom Reynolds are completely different characters. Its talk like that (saying they're the same) that got the series cancelled.

[Ubergynormousmullet]

I watched the series start to finish and was kinda bummed when it got canceled. I didn't even know they made a movie until my friend told me. This movie brought out everything I missed from the series. It was a great conclusion. But I agree with all of you guys, Mal is no Han Solo, he's 10x better, always appears to be 1 step behind the enemy but is always 5 steps ahead and has no problem being a sarcastic ass about it.

[TheParanoidGoat]

I watched it with my brother. I'd seen Firefly, my brother had not. We both loved it.

Although I think I felt more during the movie, as I knew the characters. No Wash! Nooooo!

So it's definitely stand-alone, but the movie is better if you've seen the show.

[bototheone1]

Mal is kinda like Solo, only cooler and funnier.

[blackshade9]

It works.

I had never even heard of Firefly when I saw Serenity and I think that it made it better for me.

[Metricmile]

Erm I think these guys are giving the character of Hans Solo far too much credit. Yes - a fun and perhaps even slightly interesting but please...Mal Reynolds has much more depth and a serious dark side (no pun intended)

[elspeff]

Entirely agree...Mal is only Han Solo if Han Solo had fought and lost a war, been abandoned by his own side, been imprisoned and had lost everything that mattered to him.

[DeflectiveCheese]

man...took the words right out of my mouth. The guy was saying that mal reynolds was a knockoff of han solo. In reality(tv reality), mal stands apart by being such a well developed character. Sure both characters fly a ship in space and have the loyalty/ personal conflict, but they are entirely different. I never even thought han solo when i was watching firefly. I also think that you do need to see firefly to get serenity. That's a good thing, because whedon respected the die hard fans

[Swahili16]

Mal Reynolds is not Han Solo

[Metricmile]

No - he is better :-)

[prisoner0932]

See, i saw the film before I watched the series, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I must admit though, watching it AFTER viewing the series did give me greater insight into the characters, and I enjoyed it more that time. Still, it just goes to show it's great both ways.

[Malfipenguin]

Yeah yeah!! Same here!! I saw the movie and was like "I NEED TO SEE THE SHOW!!!" and bought the Firefly series... Oh so very good

[PlacidDragon]

I found the movie to be very difficult to appriciate on its own, although, with hindsight, i think Joss Whedon did a masterful job with it.

Its simply moving too fast, with too many characters. One can enjoy it fine as a "space action" movie just fine, but its difficult to get much more out of it.

After seeing the series, and rewatching the movie.. it all made sense to me. The movie went from being an ok film to becoming a masterpiece.

My advice, get the Firefly series, then watch Serenity :)

[CoolDojo9000]

One of the best sci-fi movies ever made.

I watched the movies, then found out there was a TV show, watched that too.

[HealerSayain]

I watched the movie, and wanted more. So then I found the series, and bought it with my own money. I loved both.

[EXtremedges]

yah...I didn't even know it was a take-off? from the Firefly series and still loved the movie! ...

[Casanuda]

I don't think that you HAVE to see the show to enjoy the movie. The movie itself is a good time. However, it was written so that Firefly fans would get more out of it.

It was fantastic.

[TwoFlightsDown]

Saw the movie and was blown away. Then, I learned there was a series. Had to have it, without a doubt...the movie was THAT good. And the series didn't disappoint.

[tillo2008]

Don't watch any other parts, this is not a treat for Serenity/Firefly fans. It is 2 idiots arguing about the movie without using specifics to prove their points.

Here is a synopsis:

"I LOVED IT"

"meh"

"No Way Man! It's Awesome"

"meh"

"It's way better than the space shows you watch"

"OH IT'S ON BITCH, I'M ABOUT TO TELEPORT YOUR ASS TO LAST WEDNESDAY"

CAN THEY BE A BIGGER PAIR OF IDIOTS?

[Jackalofdeath]

poor dialog, poor interaction, very poor progress in the show. wont bother watching the rest.

[ArodWingfoot]

Scene stealer reviews are not to be trusted. The big thing here. THe dude said that Serenity wasn't a good stand alone movie. yet everyone I took to see the movie who had not seen the show said it was a great stand alone movie (Suggest you see the series, but not required)

[Serenity113]

I remember seeing a couple of episodes on FOX but then fell in love truly afterwards after learning that Joss Whedon created it (I'm a fan of Buffy and Angel as well) and saw all the episodes on Netflix. And of course saw the movie on opening day. Now, if I haven't seen the episodes but saw the movie, I know for sure that I would've love it. It works for both.

[RyuBlade1980]

You guys are really great!

My brother and I watched "Serenity" and we didn't even know that there was a series backing it up. It worked well for us.

Of course we bought "Firefly" as soon as we found out about it.

[Blackrook32]

Man "Serenity" kicked MAJOR ASS!!

Serenity didn't need any backdrop from the series to stand on it's own. I suggested the Serenity DVD to a couple of friends, and that prompted them to check out the old Firefly series.

River Tam's fight scenes should be considered Sci-Fi Classics! And the Battles with the Reavers. On the series they were something of an Urban Legend, their origins was fleshed out more in the Movie.

Serenity told you everything about Firefly's History, and that was cool.

[Myrthmor]

I saw serenity before I even knew it came from a t.v show. I'm also far from being a sci-fi buff, but I loved it. I watched the whole series afterward, and yes, you do have a different appreciation for the movie after knowing the characters so well, but that much is inevitable. But Serenity did a great job of standing on its own. It gave the history of the world, included all the characters, the rescue of River by Simon, and brought Reavers into it. It DID encapsulate the series.

[sbunkboy3]

That's exactly how I fell in love with the firefly series (movie, then episodes). It's a great way to get into the series, however, seeing the series, it pained me to know each character's fates. Still, I wouldn't have it any other way. Firefly rocks!!!!!

[Hrmnisboss]

I also saw the movie before the series, and it does do well as a stand alone film. One thing that did dissapoint me though was i thought that River would be kicking ass in the show, i was mistaken. That being said, the movie has its own legs without the show.

[tab22oked]

Me and the hubby saw the movie first, loved it so much that we watched all of the episodes, and we think the movie stands alone without the episodes. But every episode is as good as the movie, hands down the best series ever made!!

[locovan666]

the man on the left bored the shit out of me.

[SceneStealers]

It's worth noting that JD officially retracted all negative comments about this film after seeing it a second time. Check out the Scene-Stealers site for the retraction!

-Eric

[LtSarge]

i agree the movie suffers without having seen the show first.

however because the movie was so cool i went and  discovered fire fly, a show i regrettably ignored, and now i feel am a better person for it. Yes. Browncoats Ftw

[simpleton7]

Star Trek is controlled by the format of Sci-Fi and serenity uses it for good drama. I enjoy Star Trek, but the Firefly universe has about zero 'lore' and all the exposition is over in the first three scenes.

[HiddenValor821]

It was my mom of all people that took me to see the movie--neither of us had even heard of the tv show, but I ended up finding it because I loved the movie so much. Hurray for Firefly!

[Wizzosis]

i both agree and disagree but when i first watched Serenity i didn't get it but then I found out that it was based off firefly I watched a couple of firefly episodes (Which by the way is probably the best sci-fi show EVER) and then afterwards I watched Serenity again and it made a whole lot more sense but you do need a bit of the backstory because they don't exactly give it all to you in the film. brilliant nonetheless.

[cdfe3388]

Okay, I've seen some Star Trek, and I called bullshit on the whole utopian future right away. Sure some of it was cool, but it was still utopian bullshit. So if this guy likes Star Trek but talks shit on Firefly/Serenity, HE'S PROBABLY A FUCKING COMMIE!!

I for one saw the movie first, then went out and bought the series DVD not because I needed explanation, rather because it was so badass I wanted to see more of it. In fact, it's tied with Boondock Saints for greatest movie ever.

[FatElvis007]

I saw the movie before the show and had no trouble understanding it. The only big thing I didn't know when seeing the movie was that Inara is a prostitute, so I was surprised once I did see the show.

[RockstarLlama]

Yea i did not know a show existed until along time after i watched the movie. I loved the movie it was amazing.

[RobinHood3000]

What he doesn't realize, among many other things, is that Nathan Fillion has always been a hardcore Harrison Ford fan, and that he has described Malcolm Reynolds as "not so much an homage to Han Solo...as an exact copy of Han Solo."

[dtek40k]

i watched the movie before I watched any of the episodes, and I had no trouble understanding the characters and situation.

[explodingplant]

the second reviewer is a dumbass. and from the other reviews i've seen, he's a continual dumbass. i was dragged to serenity never having heard of firefly and i did not want to go because i though it'd be too hard to comprehend the strange setting i saw in the trailer. within the first thirty minutes i was sitting in my seat, overjoyed with EXCITEMENT and EAGERNESS because i could tell the movie rocked. it's fresh and brilliant.

[chilicheezfryed]

Exact same thing happen to me. I had no desire to see some random sci-fi film (I hadn't even seen the trailer), but I was blown away. It wasn't until weeks later when I even found out about "Firefly." I love both now.

[ladyfrady]

I totally agree. I saw the movie without seeing the show first, and like you I thought that I wouldn't understand, but it was the coolest thing ever! Then I went back and watched...and bought...Firefly.

[Dondilx]

It still works stand alone. I saw serenity first and starting watching firefly after because I loved it so much.

[goattrail1]

He shouldn't have watched one ep ...especially on SciFi where they didn't even letterbox ... he didn't understand the very narrow sub topic arc and figured he saw more than he did from the only episode he watch ... I dragged many folks to Serenity and all but one bought the FF box set ... and great review show ... nice work!

[warwolfy]

MiniB2k

haha you are right i never even herd of firefly then i watched serenity and i fell in love

[thrapper]

J.D., you have no idea. I saw the movie first, loved it!! That drew me to the series. star trek?? Give me a break. At least the ship 's inside matches the outside!!

[MiniB2k]

sorry but J.D hasnt got a clue! i watched Serenity before seeing firefly and i understood everything! and before seeing the show it was instantly my fave film. and its not just me.. all my friends had the same thing!

As for comparing it with star trek i have seen every star trek movie and alot of the shows and.. it doesnt even come close to serenity!

[Albran]

I saw the film after hearing vaguely about a show called Firefly, but I enjoyed it a hell of a lot - you don't need to know about the characters to get into the emotional scenes and the action scenes. But a bit of backstory does make it work even better.

[handbanana999]

Firefly>star trek

[handbanana999]

Star trek! Hah!

[laladizzylandhi]

I saw the film before even knowing there was a tv series and it made perfect sence. I loved the film so much, I researched the shows. The protagonist if fantastic!

[nomidamus]

i agree!!! you DONT have to see the series first, It helps, but you dont have to! I didnt. I thought it was awesome!!! except for Wash's luck, but apart from that i love it!

[RobertRossAtRiso]

please please please, bring bak firefly

[ChimneyClot]

Needs more bowtie.

[nordmo91]

My brother came home with the serenity dvd, he denied me to watch before i hade seen the whole fireflye series so i did, then i watch the serenity movie. I can say now tha t i am an serenity/firefly ADDICT!!! I LOVE IT!!!

[TobeUK]

i swear the beardyy guy is on the show just to contradict the other guy- watch the king kong review too....

[DeadGirlsRuinAll]

watch our "300" review or lots of others where we agree on the movie...it's not my fault JD was wrong about both movies!

Eric (the other guy)

[TobeUK]

haha ok fair enough.

[c5mjohn]

I saw the movie before I even HEARD of the show. I loved the movie. LOVED IT! The only people who complained about needing to see the show first knew there WAS a show. SERENITY FTW!