Serenity

[Elenilsa]

Why did this film have such a poor showing at the box office? Where are all the Firefly devotees? I mean, lots of us probably saw it more than once, which should have improved the box office, right?

Anyone see it and have thoughts on why it didn't do better? I dragged my hubby to it, assured him he could enjoy it without ever having watched a single episode......but he said it was too complicated, with too many characters to keep track of.

[Winters_Sorrow]

Originally Posted by Elenilsa

Why did this film have such a poor showing at the box office? Where are all the Firefly devotees? I mean, lots of us probably saw it more than once, which should have improved the box office, right?

Anyone see it and have thoughts on why it didn't do better? I dragged my hubby to it, assured him he could enjoy it without ever having watched a single episode......but he said it was too complicated, with too many characters to keep track of.

Hi Elenilsa - don't know why the yanks hated it, but it's done pretty good business in the UK (I myself have watched it twice at the cinema )

there's already a few Serenity threads knocking about here, but here's one of them
http://www.chronicles-network.net/fo...light=serenity

My thought's on it's (very few!) bad points are in there too - personally, I loved it - big Firefly fan, but I think in this case, the perceived 'Geek' factor worked against Joss Whedon and American audiences didn't bite - shame, but I think it'll more than make its $40m dollar budget back on DVD sales, the reviews and press were generally good and the cast would like to do another, so I don't think the franchise is dead yet, although Joss Whedon will probably do Wonder Woman before he goes back there.

[McMurphy]

I don't know how die-hard Whedon fans respond to his work in the UK, but it is my perception that the North American response can be a bit more fan boy in nature. Serenity, a film that feels average in execution and script but teases audiences with brief moments of inspired new genre direction, is championed by some people who were hailing it as brilliant even before they saw a trailer. Many fans out there really, really wanted Serenity to change the face of science fiction. He could have waved crap on a stick for two hours, and there would still be a voice declaring brilliance.

To be fair, I have never been a big fan of his thus far work (i.e.: the Buffy the Vampire Slayer television series), and Serenity felt like it had some of the same trappings, which is harder to get away with without commercial breaks. My girlfriend, a huge fan of the Buffy series, didn't like it because the film felt far too muddled in all respects.

I gave a review-like response for this film in an earlier Serenity thread.

Winter is correct: there are a couple other threads that may have discussions in regards to the movie you may not wish to read. HERE is another example.

[Winters_Sorrow]

Sorry you don't like it McMurphy. Personally I thought he did bring something new to sci-fi, especially in the Firefly TV series which I felt was better constructed than the film.

I had pretty much the same reaction to you when a friend recommended I watch it. I didn't like Buffy or Angel and had no wish to watch a 'western in space' by that writer.

The first couple of episodes are a little hit & miss but by episode 4 I knew I was hooked. The characterisation drew me in. I believed in these people. I liked the way they interacted and I liked the way the 'hero' character of the Captain didn't always get things right and often had to be helped out by his shipmates.
I liked the movie because it gave me more time with these characters - whether I would have liked it without having seen Firefly, I can never know.

[McMurphy]

I will never deny that the guy doesn't have promise. Maybe my criticisms have more to do with Joss not putting out a project that I have been able to latch on to yet. I have heard of the Wonder Woman movie deal (writing and directing, right?), and I know I am going to see that one.

[Rane Longfox]

Is the series availiable on DVD at all, btw?

[dreamwalker]

Yes,
the film was pretty satisfying, but then again thats probably why it feels some what muddled and packed with many plot lines.
It was a good film, don't get me wrong, but it far from changed the face of sci fi as was previously proclaimed...

That's my future job!

[Winters_Sorrow]

Originally Posted by Rane Longfox

Is the series availiable on DVD at all, btw?

yup

http://play.com/play247.asp?pa=srmr&...2&title=150418

[Taliesin]

To be fair Serenity is a good film - generally speaking better than the series - even if it did develop some of theseries underlying themes. However one of the things not tackled is the paradox of a low tec sci-fi program with a general recreation of the American West.

Whilst I can propose an explaination - lack of resources resulting in people returning to the old fashioned ways of their history - it is one dimensional.

[Winters_Sorrow]

I see where you're coming from Taliesin (hullo by the way!).
I rationalised it by:
a) the "frontier spirit" coming back for the outlying settlers - being on their own in the wilderness and fending for themselves - harking back to the 'wild west' days - so the settlers identified with, and imitated those times
b) a backlash of sorts to chinese culture (I get the distinct impression from the feel of the series & film that the adoption of chinese influence wasn't entirely voluntary - note that the 'civilised' inner worlds were decidedly more asian in design and mannerism)

anyway, I look forward to any further thoughts you may have

[I, Brian]

Finally got around to watching Serenity last night - quite enjoyed it.

As it was concluding a TV series there were various points I felt I'd missed - not least the importance of psychics to the Alliance, how & why River knew about Miranda, the role of Miranda in future Alliance projects, and a few other details.

Overall enjoyed it though - wasn't quite as predictable as I expected, though - Miranda was, but I expected a couple of the crew to die who didn't.

It certainly made me feel I'd missed out by not watching Firefly, though.

[Brys]

I've just seen it, and now it's one of my favourite films. In terms of characterisation it's easily the best science fiction film I've seen, and it was very innovative with some very good writing.

[GOLLUM]

I'm with Brys on this one insofar as it's quite cleverly written and the characters are a lot of fun but not the best SF film I've personally seen. For starters I'ld have to place Kubrik's 2001 Space Odyssey and the ending esp. of Planet Of The Apes (C. Heston) ahead of it.

[steve12553]

Originally Posted by GOLLUM

I'm with Brys on this one insofar as it's quite cleverly written and the characters are a lot of fun but not the best SF film I've personally seen. For starters I'ld have to place Kubrik's 2001 Space Odyssey and the ending esp. of Planet Of The Apes (C. Heston) ahead of it.

Hey, I enjoyed it too but I found it more in line with one of the good Star Trek movies, like the Wrath of Khan. I required a little background. I ordered the Firefly series on DVD and for $30 I had 13 evenings of entertainment and all the background I needed. Still all in all a worthwhile movie and worth a sequel.

[Brown Rat]

It's hard for me to separate my love for the film from my love for the TV series. But, like Steve12553, I think of Serenity as on par with (good) Star Trek films and movies like Galaxy Quest. Not quite as good as Stars Wars: Episode IV, and certainly not as good as Blade Runner, but better than 85% of most SF films.