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I really liked this movie and just found out that it is a series made into a movie and the series has long been canceled.  Does anyone know if this movie was a prequal to the series?

Serenity = Awesome

Firefly - the series Serenity was based on = Near Godliness.

Serenity wasn't a prequel to Firefly, but was an ending to the story.  It takes place after the TV show and attempts to wrap up the fate of those on Serenity.  I seriously recommend checking out the TV show.  Don't rent Firefly, pick up the whole series on DVD.  It's well worth the 30 bucks or so.  One of the best SF shows of all time!

I just pulled out my Firefly DVD set the other night and started watching it again.  I'd forgotten how good it was  :twirl:

I found the movie and the series bland.

I thought that the series was so-so but I enjoyed the movie.

"Serenity-The Movie" was released to wrap up all the loose end when the series Firefly was WRONGFULLY canceled right before season 2, 2 never happened. The was show slated and designed for 7 seasons to run the complete story but they felt the rating was to low and it was canceled. But the real reason was do to Fox's poor marketing and shifting time slots, skipping entire weeks and preempting the broadcast at the last minute and airing the show out of order. Stuff would happen in a show that made no sense at all until you saw the eps that was suppose to air before it, some 3 or 4 months later. It was just annoying how Fox screwed up what could have been a great series.

Firefly is excellent, it's right up there with FarScape and Babylon 5 as far as original SciFi shows go.

Highly recommended, the DVD set is in order and has the 3 never aired eps.

The series was something I never really got into, possibly for reasons mentioned by CheezeFlixz. The movie Serenity though is great, even the wife liked it, I plan on buying the DVD, now I'll also get Firefly on DVD as well.

Yeah if you have only seen it on TV it sucked. I didn't like it on TV and only get the set when I found it for $10 in a trade shop, the series seen in order and with the missing eps if the only way to see it.

Wheaton the creator of the series as said he'd still like to finish it even with the release of Serenity and has been shopping production company's by so far no luck, even though it ranks high in Amazon sales and independent polls.

I was excited when I heard about the series, was meh when it aired for the reasons Cheeze cited. The network seemed to be going out of their way to get people to NOT watch the show. Heard about how the show was treated on other forums, bought the DVD set on a ehim when I wanted something different to watch. In two episodes I was hooked and feeling even more cheated by Fox for screwing up what was the best TV I'd seen in years.

I had hope for the movie to be a minor hit either leading to more films or it and the disk sales spuring another network to bring the series back. I liked the film, not as muh as the series but was glad they tied things up. The film lacked some of the sublty and nuance of the series. I knew they had less time to work with and were trying to draw in people new to story, which just made it an uphill battle. I liked the film like I said, but I loved the series.

The show had some of the best dialogue I've ever heard, like Deadwood, the best Billy Wilder films, or Homicide:Life on the Streets. There were multiple meanings to things people said, and the actors be great at conveying the feeling behind what was being said on the surface. Why nathan Fillion isn't a bigger star is beyond me, I'd love to see him plya Harry harrison's Stainless Steel Rat character someday.

Also the series had a way of upending standard cliches of storytelling for TV and what a hero is. These were protagonists who did dishonorable and illegal things, they weren't perfect but they were still better than the people they opposed. ALso Their fortunes rose and fell - money, food, and resources varied. They took jobs they didn't want because they needed them. I liked the episode where Mal and Wash were being tortured and when Zoe and the others came to rescue them she said it was something the Captain needed to finish for himself by fighting his torturer. Mal; ragged, in pain, and in no shape for a fight; blurts out "No I don't!" so the others take him out instead.

Nathan Fillion was awesome in it, and the whole thing was incredibly well written. The one where they steal this antique laser gun must be one of the best heist stories ever.

However, I found this whole SciFi-Western setting too contrived. It is hard to do make a consistent whole of such opposite worlds. Certainly in the beginning, you never quite know what you're going to get: it might be space western, or pseudo 19 Century space opera with ballgowns and duels, or just straight SciFi with high tech, spaceships and special powers. This makes it difficult to get into for a casual viewer. I know it took me some episodes to get hooked, and that was here in Belgium where it was aired on a logical schedule (all eps in the right order, and on a predictable time)

All this talk about Serenity made me go out and buy the Collector's Edition last night despite the fact that I have the original DVD release. 

As far as the DVD goes, it does have a ton of special features.  I haven't pulled out my original copy yet to compare features but I do believe that most of these are new, although some do look familiar.  Even if most of them are the same, it doesn't matter to me considering just how awesome the boxart is.  I'm a sucker for a good looking DVD and this one certainly delivers.

Just got done watching the film again, and I'm surprised at how fresh the material still feels.  I'm also surprised at how much some of the demises affected me emotionally, despite having seen the film numerous times before.

I plan of going through the features and then dusting off my Firefly boxset and running through those again.

I highly recommend this new DVD edition! :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

I bought the Firefly series way back around the first of the year, but I just started watching it again  a couple of weeks ago. I preordered the CE DVD of Serenity which arrived  and was watched last week. 

The great characters and smart dialog made this one of the best  scifi series in quite a while .  The casting was pure gold as each member seemed ideal for their character.  I had no problem at all  getting into the whole "western in space" concept. 

This was the first time that DVD sales of a prematurely canceled series prompted the making of a movie.  It should be noted that it was another studio (Universal) that financed the movie.

I couldn't figure out why Fox was so hot to get Joss Whedon signed to a development deal just to turn and  torpedo the resulting series.  As I've said before, with the way studios work it's wonder anything decent ever gets made. .

Now I'm going to have to get the CE copy of Serenity.

Says it's got ...

Serenity, the action-packed event that delivers thrilling non-stop adventure, incredible battles in dangerous worlds and spectacular visual effects, is now available in a Special 2-Disc Collector's Edition containing all-new bonus content and never-seen-before footage! With over 30 minutes of all-new special features and special collectible packaging, the Serenity – Collector's Edition is a must own for all true Sci-Fi and Joss Whedon fans! All-new 2-disc edition will include 6 completely new bonus elements including cast & filmmaker commentary. Will also include all bonus features from previous release.

All New Bonus Features:
-Extended Scenes (6:45)
-Take A Walk on Serenity (4:00) Cast and Crew take us on a special tour of the Serenity space ship
-A Filmmaker's Journey (19:49) Take A Journey with Joss Whedon from script to the big screen
-The Green Clan (3:03) An expose on Cinematographer Jack Green and his team
-Sci-Fi Inside: Serenity (21:41) Hosted by Adam Baldwin, an in-depth look at the film that was resurrected from a canceled television show, as well as its supportive culture.
-Session 416 (7:52) These internet pieces document a portion of River's participation in a psychological study and her interactions with her therapist.
-Feature Commentary with Director Joss Whedon and Cast Members Nathan Fillion, Adam Baldwin, Summer Glau, and Ron Glass

Now my question is, is this in addition to what's on the original DVD release? Does it have both the old and new stuff on the CE release?

Cheeze,

Yep, all of those are added to what already came on the original disc.  It's actually not a bad deal considering just how many extras are on the discs.  I picked it up for 17.00 at Best Buy and came included with a Firefly comic book!

I love the series and the film dearly and have watched both many times over.

On a related note, I get all the chicks.

I never watched the series when it came on TV, as I'd never really could get in Whedon other shows (Buffy and Angel), but when a bunch of people I Knew at work who were HUGE Firefly fans kept raving about it, I figured I'd rent one of the DVDs and check it out.

Like others have said, it was a REALLY, REALLY good series.  I loved how they kept playing on the conventions of both the whole hero/bad guy and various other standards you see on television.  One my all time FAVORITE moments was in a ep where they're hired by this gangster fellow to hijack a train.  Come to find out, the train is full of badly needed medicine for the townsfolk, so they decide to return the loot.  Well, gangsters friends so up, for a fight but they're subdued.

Anyway, everyone's standing outside, the ship is nearby, powered up and ready to take off.    Mal walks up to head bad guy, who's tied up, holds out the money the gangster gave them as a down payment and gives this speech, basically saying, "Okay, here's you're money back, so we're all square, we'll let you guys go, no hard feelings, okay?"  The guy stands up and goes, "Save that money for your funeral!  We won't stop until hunting till your dead!" And I'm thinking, "Oh, this guy will be back in a later ep.."

Mal goes, "Ahhh well." and KICKS the guy right into the SHIP'S TURBINE!

I literally had to stop the tape, I was laughing so hard (then I rewound it, so I could see that moment again.)

What thing I REALLY don't get is why Fox screwed the series over so badly.  I mean, from what I understand TV networks mainly care about success, and had this been some nobody I could see why they'd screw the series over without giving it a chance, but it wasn't.  This was a guy who had TWO hit series under his belt, so you think they would have given him some room and leeway to try something new.

(sigh)

I also had never heard of it until I saw the movie, and THEN, a friend told me it was a spin-off of the series. His family loved it, I was surprised after seeing the series, that I had never heard of it. I have to admit, the opening theme music is a bit much for me, and I'm sure unless something really caught my attention beforehand, I wouldn't make it past that. A good comercial would fix that.
I think it's kind of a bummer how some didn't make it out of the movie alive, sucks for if/when they start on season 2 (I'm hoping)

But yea, the marketing, if there really was any, sucked. It's a shame, especially considering how much garbage gets pushed these days.

BTW, anyone else here think the red-head chick Mel was accidentally married to is a total hottie.

*note to self: find out who she is and perv the internet for nude pictures. .

ghouck,

Saffron was a great character.  I loved the first episode with her.  There is a scene between her and Inara that could have been the hottest thing EVER.

Yes, Christina Hendricks, and no (except for caps from the ep she was in). 

;)

you said it about it having some of the best lines, Yaddo 42.

"No power in the 'verse can stop me"

god! I loved that show.

I never got around to watching Serenity - I had been watching FireFly but I found it to be quite slow sometimes so I haven't bothered to watch Serenity yet. People have told me it'd be better to watch all of FireFly first (13 episodes) but I really don't think I can be bothered. I hope the movie has a faster pace.

Your loss.

Maybe it helps if you're already familiar with sci-fi westerns in general.  I've seen a few, and I've always liked the setting.  It's a pretty strange idea, but it has been around for quite a while. 

I really enjoyed the series, and liked the movie.  My favorite episode is the one with Jubal Early.  Some of the best lines I've ever heard in a TV show in that episode. 

"They make psychiatrists get psychoanalyzed before they can get certified, but they don't make a surgeon get cut on. That seem right to you?"

I only seen a couple of the Firefly episodes and liked what I saw, I wish hey had taken it into a second season but once again this proves network execs have no clue whats good or bad.Its just about the $.
I like the movie, but I felt they tried to cram to much into it. I understand they wanted to tie up loose ends, so I can forgive the overly rushed plot of the movie. I hope they make anouther movie, there are so few good space movies around now days.

I finally watched the Firefly series and Serenity movie.  Here are my thoughts...

I liked it.  The show and movie are fun and I like the idea of the Space Western.  I'm still kind of confused as to why the show and movie are heralded as the "best ever".  It's good, don't get me wrong but the best ever...that's a stretch.

The characters are well written and I like how they play off of each other.  Jayne and Capt. Mal.  Mal and Inara.  Book and River.  I like how they play against convention (i.e.- shooting the bad guy with a hostage before he can make any demands, kicking the defiant guy into the engine, no sound in space).  The actresses are hot!  Especially,  Jewel Staite as Kaylee.   :buggedout:

All in all I enjoyed watching the series and movie.  I'd watch a sequel or the TV show if they brought it back.  I'd give the show and movie 3.75 to 4 stars out of 5.

EDIT:  The thing that bugged me the most is the Doctor and River.  The casting director should have gotten an actor and actress that looked a more like brother and sister.  I'm a big suspension of disbelief guy but they had zero chemistry and looked nothing like each other.

I didn't think they did too bad of a job. Often siblings aren't enough alike, either in looks or mannerism to see an obvious similarity (or contrast). Part of it was that River had her brain partially scrambled, which obviously changed her.

p.s., If you imply that all siblings look alike to some degree, then expect the furious wrath of my sister to reign down an unholy terror upon you. She also doesn't understand that SHE should take it as a COMPLIMENT. .

If you like Jewell Staite you should tune into Stargate Atlantis when it starts back up at the end of this month. She plays the new doctor.

I think such a big deal is made about Firefly is because it's so different than the other offerings in the genre and it was so mistreated by Fox.

I think the actress who played River looks half-Asian.  She's too exotic looking to be playing the sister of a WASP looking guy.  That's all I'm saying...

I didn't think so, until I saw her picture on the Wikipedia. She looks completely different, and I see a bit of what you mean. She's grown up to be pretty good looking, I'm kinda looking forward to seeing her in The Sarah Connor Chrnicles.

I loved both the series and especially the movie.

The movie tied up a lot of loose ends for me, character wise, although the fates of some of the characters were quite a surprise.

Pity Joss Whedon didn't make any more episodes.  Was it cancelled due to lack or interest on the viewing public's part, or did the execs not like the show's premise?

Can't wait until Whedon brings out his next project.  I'm sure I'll love that as well.

Last year, I was hearing in some of Lynda Carter fangroups that he was set to direct the upcoming Wonder Woman movie, with numerous disputes over who should play the role, as well as some disapproval over rumors about getting away from the "Lynda costume".  :question:

I liked this film, but really couldn't get into the characters that much. Never saw the TV series.

Wonder Woman has been officially canned. 

Whedon is going back to TV for a series called The Doll House with Eliza Dushku.  I think she plays an agent of some kind of Manchurian Candidate style group of assassins.

He's also been working on a feature called Goners for what seems like, well, ever.  As far as I know it's still on the table.

I'm just happy to take in anything with his name attached to it.  His episodes of The Office have been some of my favorites of the entire series.

Your loss Scott, you may get more out of the movie if you watched the series. Some of the best television ever made in my opinion.

I have to agree.  "Firefly" is awesome.  It's a tragedy that it was so poorly handled by the network and cancelleed so early on.

I'd have to agree with trekgeezer, Scott. If you have netflix or can find the series for rent somewhere, give it a shot, be sure to watch them in order. That's one of many things that hampered the series on TV, the network showing it out of order.

The awesome dialogue, turning cliches of narrative storytelling on their head, main characters who aren't entirely moral and aren't above cutting a corner, the rising and falling fortunes of the group, the acknowledgement that even the "nice" charcters can have active and happy sex lives, etc.

I was never a Buffy fan, barely got into Angel. Didn't think they were badly done, just have a low tolerance for teen angst or vampires, combined even less so. I also didn't have much of a chance to see them until far into their runs, and didn't feel like catching up. But Whedon is a talent, and I'll give anything he does next a shot.

I'd suggest just buying it when it goes on sale.  There was one at Borders a while back that brought the TV series set into the sub $20 range.