Firefly / Serenity

[boomzilla]

Firefly TV series – 4 of 5 stars

The strange mix of western and sci-fi shouldn’t work, but does, thanks to Joss Wheadon’s magic. Some of the episodes are painfully hokey, but if you’re willing to suspend disbelief, it’s a fun ride. An attractive and complex cast makes the series work. Highly recommended if you’re willing to roll with the flow.

Serenity – 4 of 5 stars

The follow-up movie to the Firefly series, this darker tale gives the origins of the feared “reevers.” Although the movie stands on its own as a complete tale, it will make far more sense if you’ve seen the Firefly series first. If you liked Firefly - not to be missed. If you yawned at the TV series, take a pass on this one too.

[stiehl11]

Anyone who doesn't like Firefly must have had a pencil shoved too far up their nose at one point in time of their life. Firefly has got to be the best Sci-Fi for TV since Star Trek TOS. Unlike TOS, no amount of fan writing could save this program. Serenity was closure for the series just like The Peacekeeper Wars was for Farscape. At lease BSG got a final season to wrap it all up! I finally got a friend, who loves sci-fi, to watch this on Netflix. Once he started, he couldn't stop; he consumed the entire season in two nights!

[boomzilla]

Anyone who doesn't like Firefly must have had a pencil shoved too far up their nose at one point in time...

Agreed, but the series WAS cancelled after the first season. As to pencils, I'd always wondered how Hollywood types got their dain bramage...

[spork]

Keep in mind that ratings for Firefly were poor, but this was probably due to how the show was introduced.

What makes Firefly great are the characters. The show features a great ensemble cast living in close quarters. You really get to connect with every character on Serenity, and even the ship herself in many ways.

On top of the wonderful cast, Firefly features an interesting juxtaposition of old and new with its western "cowboy" elements set against a more typical "cold steel" alliance. This, to me, almost always makes for a classic science fiction show, if done properly, as mixed settings often make it easier to place oneself in the lives of the characters. You can imagine yourself sitting at their table on Serenity without feeling out of place. Heck, you could move that same table into your living room without them seeming out of place, albeit a tad colorful.

So where does all the initial character and setting development take place? In the case of Firefly, it all happens in the original double length pilot. Unfortunately for the show, Fox chose to air Firefly out of sequence, and in fact never aired the original pilot at all in its initial run.

For them, the original pilot did not contain enough action, but they missed the point. Firefly's strengths are not in its action sequences, and as a result, the show struggled.

EDIT: I had thought that the show's original pilot was not aired during the initial run, but it did make the cut after all. (Though three other episodes did not make it into the initial run.) The original pilot was shown dead last in the initial run.

[red5ive]

Happened to watch Serenity yesterday. Great film! Bought on blu when it released a few years ago, and I even remember Best Buy put it out 3 days early. I happened to be in there browsing, and an associate was stocking it as I was there. I said nothing, grabbed it, and ran lol.

[GreenKiwi]

It and the above mentioned Farscape were two very good series.

[Deleted]

I just started watching farscape a few days ago. Interesting show. Very cheesy but decent 7 episodes in.

[GreenKiwi]

Yeah, fs takes a little while to get into. They have good character development and the characters really go through transitions throughout the whole show.

[dust770]

Haven't seen Firefly yet but absoulutley love Serenity, very unique great sound and picture as well! Good story to boot

[entilzha]

Firefly forever!

[carlp336]

bought firefly BD series on the zon for 24$ the other day. cant wait to watch.