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Review by: Jack Foley | Rating:
Two
SERENITY first began life as the short-lived television series
Firefly that was created by Joss Whedon (the Oscar and Emmy-nominated
writer/director of Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel).
Unfortunately, the show got cancelled after 11 episodes despite
strong reviews. But Whedon, ever the optimist, refused to give
up and through sheer guts, determination and mounting fan pressure,
turned to the big screen to continue his story.
The result is an epic, sprawling sci-fi western adventure in
the Star Wars tradition that boasts a first-rate ensemble cast
(of relative unknowns), some impressive special effects and heaps
and heaps of fun.
What's more, you don't need to have seen the TV series (I have
not) to appreciate it, given that the movie works as both a stand-alone
experience in its own right, as well as the continuation of the
Firefly story that fans have no doubt been craving (they embraced
the film at early US screenings).
For those that don't know, therefore, Serenity is the name of
the ragtag spaceship populated by Captain Malcolm 'Mal' Reynolds
(Nathan Fillion) and his crew, who struggle to make a living as
transport for hire in a systen governed by the dictatorial Universal
Alliance.
Their latest cargo, however, might just prove their deadliest,
given that she is called River (Summer Glau) and is the mentally
unstable, telepathic sister of the ship's medical expert, Simon
(Sean Maher).
Her talents have long-been exploited by the Alliance who have
been seeking to develop them as a weapon - but when she escapes,
they will stop at nothing to retrieve her and prevent their secrets
from emerging, dispatching a deadly assassin, known as The Operative
(Chiwetel Ejiofor), to handle the task.
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Included in this lively adventure
are series regulars Zoe (Gina Torres), Wash (Alan Tudyk), Jayne
(Adam Baldwin) and Kaylee (Jewel Staite), all of whom feature
prominently in some way, while the previously unseen Reavers (cannibalistic
killers) also make their long-anticipated debut.
Serenity works as well as it does because Whedon is a past-master
at providing audiences with what they want (he also co-wrote the
script for box office sensation, Toy Story), as well as a genuine
movie geek.
Hence, Serenity contains plenty of nods to past classics (from
Star Wars and Star Trek to Kill Bill and the spaghetti westerns)
but retains an identity of its own as well as a number of characters
to savour.
Fillion's rogue captain and Glau's athletic Summer both register
strongly, as does Ejiofor, whose villain provides an outstanding
adversary for the crew.
But the camaraderie that exists between everyone is genuine and
undoubtedly benefits from their past work in the series, which
looks well worth revisiting if you haven't already.
There are also plenty of twists to keep audiences guessing, as
well as a couple of shocks for the fans that elevate the film
from some of the more bog-standard sci-fi fare doing the rounds.
The film's biggest asset, however, is that it can be enjoyed
by just about everyone - a point which makes the prospect of the
inevitable sequels all the more thrilling.
Related stories: Joss
Whedon interview
Nathan Fillion interview
Summer Glau interview
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