This summer, when the Scifi network started playing Firefly, I decided to finally watch what I had always heard was a good show. This had a lot to do, of course, with the fact that the film sequel to the show was getting released soon. I saw it. You need to.
Basically, Serenity is a smart, funny, fast-paced western…in space. Writer Joss Whedon has created a compelling universe where a few people live surrounded by technology, but most of the population has little more than a 19th century lifestyle. On the outer colonies, people ride horses, live in dusty shacks, and live without much help from any authority or government. A few people have ships. Malcolm Reynolds is one of those people. His ship, Serenity is a home to a bunch of highly likeable characters who live from job to job. If you’ve seen the show, you’ll know that one of those passengers is a fugitive from the law. She was being held and used by the government for unknown reasons, and now they want her back.
It is ok if you haven’t seen the show, because a lot is explained quickly but without getting confusing or boring. Chances are, you’ll actually come out of the movie wanting to watch the show. After seeing one episode, I bought it on DVD. It’s that good. If you aren’t a big fan of science fiction movies, you’ll probably like it anyway. The movie focuses around the characters who feel like real, likeable people. It’s very easy to get attached to them.
Orson Scott Card (author of Ender’s Game) reviewed this movie. This is what he had to say:
This is the kind of movie that I have always intended Ender’s Game to be (though the plots are not at all similar).
And this is as good a movie as I always hoped Ender’s Game would be.
And I’ll tell you this right now: If Ender’s Game can’t be this kind of movie, and this good a movie, then I want it never to be made.
I’d rather just watch Serenity again.
So in short. Go see this movie. There are a few scary scenes, especially if you’ve seen the show and know the context. You’ll love it, though. I swear.
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