Brikar

"Serenity"
Starring: Nathan Fillion, Summer Glau, Adam Baldwin
Written and directed by: Joss Whedon

MOVIE
Pretty much everyone knows my thoughts on "Serenity", so I'll keep this brief and to say this: Just like "Revenge of the Sith" five months later is still a steaming pile of shit, "Serenity" is still a fantastic film, months after seeing unfinished preview screenings, multiple theatre viewings, Internet bootlegs and now DVD viewings. Well shot, well acted, and most importantly, well written, "Serenity" is a film sci-fi fans should be shooting themselves in the face for having missed its theatrical run.

VIDEO
Presented in 2.35:1 Anamorphic Widescreen (and, for the tasteless and ignorant out there, a separate 1.33:1 Full Screen release), "Serenity" looks fantastic. Shadows are nice and rich, and object detail is good and crisp, with strong colors. The only scene with any issue is a short bit at the film's climax where the set is cast in red lighting, and detail suffers.

AUDIO
The Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound is excellent. With good atmospheric noises, and booming bass, "Serenity" will give your system a good workout. Dialogue is never lost amidst gunfire and explosions and a dense musical score that all come through clear and loud.

EXTRAS
Here's where the disc falters. First up, we're giving a smattering of deleted scenes, one or two of which might have served the picture better, including a better introduction of Inara at her companion training house. Most of them, though, were rightfully deleted. They are presented in unfinished form, with timecodes on the image, but looking pretty good.

Next, an introduction by Joss Whedon, which was shown to theatres in front of the preview screenings earlier in the year, in which Whedon thanks the fans and asks them to support the movie and get other people to see it. Kind of ironic, now, but still heartfelt and funny.

We're also given a few minutes of outtakes, some of which will get you grinning, and some of which will have you laughing out loud, such as a great bit during the climactic space battle in which Wash screams, "I don't need a back-starship driver!" then stands up and walks out of the room. There are plenty of line-flubs and general silliness (mostly from Fillion - this is what you get when you cast a sitcom actor in your sci-fi movie).

Then, there are three featurettes: "Re-lighting the Firefly" is a bit about the show's cancellation, and how the dedication of the fans, cast, and crew got "Serenity" made. It's nice, mostly reiterating what Whedon spoke about in his introduction, but has (absurdly short) interview footage with the cast and one other producer, as well as quick bits of Whedon and the cast at Comic-Con.

"What's in a Firefly" takes a brief look at the special effects in the film, focusing mostly on the hovercraft chase at the beginning and then the crash sequence at the end. There's interview footage from the effects producers, and a good look at some of the pre-vis animated storyboarding.

"Future History" is Joss explaining the world of "Firefly", such as the history of the Alliance and war for independence.

None of these featurettes runs longer than ten minutes, and the only one with any real depth is "What's in a Firefly" and even that doesn't dig deep because of it's quick running time.

The main feature is Whedon's audio commentary, which, admittedly, I haven't given a full listen to at this point. But what I heard is dense and entertaining, as Whedon's commentaries tend to be. He's a funny, funny man, and is rarely boring - even on other commentaries wherein he apologized for being so.

OVERALL
It's impossible not to recommend this DVD, even with the disappointing special features. The movie is simply too strong not to own and watch repeatedly. The Region 2 version has an added 20 minute documentary about the making of the film, and the Australian Region 4 version has a second disc with more extended scenes, a Q+A session with Whedon and more, plus the 2 discs come in a collectible tin case.

Movie: A
A/V: A
Extras: C
Overall: B

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Stag

Agreed...nice write up

Arik

I'd love to keep watching this movie...but my sister "borrowed" my DVD and WON'T GIVE IT BACK!

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Brikar

It sounds fantastic on my 5.1 system. I cranked up that last space battle and it was friggin' SWEET.

__________________
"A million monkeys typing until the end of time will produce the complete works of William Shakespeare. Ten thousand monkeys typing for ten thousand years will write a Hemingway. Ten monkeys typing over Columbus Day weekend will give you a Dan Brown."

http://olympusmans.blogspot.com
http://benforrealz.blogspot.com

Bean

I can't wait to watch it on my projector

__________________
"I haven't faced death. I've cheated death. I've tricked my way out of death and patted myself on the back for my ingenuity. I know nothing."

--James T. Kirk

Brikar

Niiiice. I love those things.

__________________
"A million monkeys typing until the end of time will produce the complete works of William Shakespeare. Ten thousand monkeys typing for ten thousand years will write a Hemingway. Ten monkeys typing over Columbus Day weekend will give you a Dan Brown."

http://olympusmans.blogspot.com
http://benforrealz.blogspot.com

Cujo

"Pretty much everyone knows my thoughts on "Serenity", so I'll keep this brief and to say this: Just like "Revenge of the Sith" five months later is still a steaming pile of shit, "Serenity" is still a fantastic film, months after seeing unfinished preview screenings, multiple theatre viewings, Internet bootlegs and now DVD viewings. Well shot, well acted, and most importantly, well written, "Serenity" is a film sci-fi fans should be shooting themselves in the face for having missed its theatrical run."

Did you ever actually post a full out review on Serenity? Toss one out with spoilers, cause I'm curious to hear your thoughts on several plot points.

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Brikar

Which plot points were you looking for, specifically?

__________________
"A million monkeys typing until the end of time will produce the complete works of William Shakespeare. Ten thousand monkeys typing for ten thousand years will write a Hemingway. Ten monkeys typing over Columbus Day weekend will give you a Dan Brown."

http://olympusmans.blogspot.com
http://benforrealz.blogspot.com

Cujo

Specifically, the fate of a crew member or two, plus I'm curious as to what part really bugged you.

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Cymro

I really hated Wash's death - it served no purpose in the story, and if we ever see some sort of continuation of the story in a future release, there'll be a gap in the ensemble.

__________________
"Let me tell you something about humans, nephew: They're a wonderful, friendly people - as long as their bellies are full and their holosuites are working.

"But take away their creature comforts, deprive them of food, sleep, sonic showers, put their lives in jeopardy over an extended period of time and those friendly, intelligent, wonderful people...will become as nasty and as violent as the most blood-thirsty klingon."