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Movies / On DVD / Serenity
Serenity

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Serenity (2005)

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Reviews Counted:172

Fresh:139

Rotten:33

Average Rating:7.1/10

Consensus: Snappy dialogue and goofy characters make this Wild Wild West soap opera in space fun and adventurous.

Rated: 15 [See Full Rating] for sequences of intense violence and action, and some sexual references

Runtime: 1 hr 59 mins

Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy

Theatrical Release:07-10-2005

Synopsis: Beloved television cult director Joss Whedon (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, ANGEL) makes a spectacular first foray onto the big screen with SERENITY, the cinematic adaptation of his wildly popular but... Beloved television cult director Joss Whedon (BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, ANGEL) makes a spectacular first foray onto the big screen with SERENITY, the cinematic adaptation of his wildly popular but short-lived sci-fi series, FIREFLY. A mix of space western, comedy, and drama, SERENITY follows captain Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) and his ragtag crew as they trade their way around the edges of civilized society. Of particular interest are two passengers they take on, Simon and River Tam (Sean Maher, Summer Glau), a brother and his telepathic sister on the run from the corrupt governing Alliance. As notorious former members of the anti-Alliance opposition, Mal and his crew make it difficult for Simon and River to stay hidden. Everything goes completely awry when a government assassin is sent to retrieve River. As Mal is forced to choose between his close-knit crew and the brother and sister newcomers, it becomes apparent that River harbors both a dangerous secret and astounding fighting powers, and Mal decides that discovering the truth about what she knows might just be worth his time. Many of the film's action sequences revolve around Summer Glau's martial arts skills in her portrayal of River. Glau prepared for her role with Hong Kong stuntwoman Ming Lu, as well as stunt coordinators Chad Stahelski and Hiro Koda, and as a resulted performed nearly all the stuntwork herself. In addition to the stellar stunts, realistic graphics, and an often haunting score, the film's actors display a rare chemistry that brings viewers both into their lives and into a possible version of humanity's future. [More]

Starring: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin

Starring: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin, Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite, Sean Maher, Summer Glau, Ron Glass, Chjwetel Ejiofor, David Krumholtz, Michael Hitchcock, Sarah Paulson

Director: Joss Whedon

Director: Joss Whedon
Screenwriter: Joss Whedon
Composer: David Newman
Studio: Universal Pictures

[See More Credits]

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1 - 4 of 4

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Reviews for Serenity

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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 >> >|
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Serenity blasts George Lucas’s recent prequels into the ether thanks to some rip-roaring action scenes and a knack of not taking itself too seriously.

Full Review Source: Daily Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
10/07/05
David Edwards
David Edwards
Daily Mirror [UK]

A gently intelligent action sci-fi with wit, drama, and emotion to spare, this is the blockbuster you've been waiting for all year.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
10/08/05
Jonathan Trout
Jonathan Trout
BBC
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Effectively a Western in space, Serenity is a thoroughly entertaining, smartly written, beautifully acted, rip-roaring action-adventure movie, that will appeal to both Firefly fans and newcomers alike.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
10/08/05
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

The settings and tone are hyper-real, yet the human behaviour is grounded and credible, the moral conflicts complex and involving. Shiny, intelligent fun.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Nick Funnell
Nick Funnell
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

If you’re a novice, this is a plucky introduction to Whedon’s world and the most fun sci-fi of the year. If you’re a devotee, this is the magnificent return you’ve been praying for.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
04/01/06
Olly Richards
Olly Richards
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

One of the most satisfying action movies in a long, long time.

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
09/15/05
Rich Cline
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall

You don't have to have seen the show to enjoy the film (although we do recommend you go out and buy the DVD set of Firefly because it's bogglingly good).

Full Review Source: FilmFocus | comment Comment
10/15/05
Scott Andrews
Scott Andrews
FilmFocus

It's equal parts deadly action, deadpan comedy and knotty mystery.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
09/30/05
E! Online

If you think the Star Wars prequels are a disease, then Serenity is the cure.

Full Review Source: Oregonian | comment Comment
09/30/05
Oregonian

Serenity should not be missed. If you plan on missing it you best get a foot ready, 'cuz you're going to be kicking yourself when you find out what you've been missing.

Full Review Source: Juicy Cerebellum | comment Comment
10/08/05
Alex Sandell
Alex Sandell
Juicy Cerebellum

is transmuted . . .intact to the big screen with creator Joss Whedon at the controls, the original cast in place, and all of them in perfect form.

Full Review Source: Killer Movie Reviews | comment Comment
09/08/05
Andrea Chase
Andrea Chase
Killer Movie Reviews

Joss Whedon makes a rousing feature-directing debut, exploiting the cult status of his short-lived series Firefly to continue it on the big screen.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
06/06/07
Andrea Gronvall
Andrea Gronvall
Chicago Reader

Whedon's six-gun space oddity comes recommended, but you may want to brush up on the series before venturing into the theater.

Full Review Source: The Stranger (Seattle, WA) | comment Comment
09/29/05
Andrew Wright
Andrew Wright
The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

While treating his subject matter with the utmost respect, Whedon also infuses it with his trademark off-kilter wit.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
09/30/05
Annlee Ellingson
Annlee Ellingson
Boxoffice Magazine

Highly recommendable, especially for fans of Firefly.

Full Review Source: Tooele Transcript-Bulletin (Utah) | comment Comment
09/29/05
Audrey Rock-Richardson
Audrey Rock-Richardson
Tooele Transcript-Bulletin (Utah)

Serenity is exciting. It moves at a brisk pace, and (Joss) Whedon has a wonderful ear for dialogue ...

Full Review Source: Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN) | comment Comment
10/04/05
Bob Bloom
Bob Bloom
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

Serenity is another superior, smart genre item.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Daily News | comment Comment
09/30/05
Bob Strauss
Bob Strauss
Los Angeles Daily News

Whedon works plenty of smart pop-culture references into his genre-jumping script.

Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
09/29/05
Bob Townsend
Bob Townsend
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

While the well-intentioned Serenity likely won't achieve the revered status of Star Wars, at least it's no Episode 1.

Full Review Source: Freeze Dried Movies | comment Comment
09/29/05
Brian Juergens
Brian Juergens
Freeze Dried Movies

A love letter to Firefly fans, an open invitation to everyone else

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
10/01/05
Brian Mckay
Brian Mckay
eFilmCritic.com
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating; UK critics are listed first)
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Latest News for Serenity

July 01, 2008: Edinburgh 2008: What to Watch
We share twenty of the best films screened at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, currently running in the Scottish city. More...

August 21, 2007: RT on DVD: The Lives of Others, RoboCop 20th Anniversary, and More Out Today
It's Tuesday, and you know what that means. New DVD releases! This week we have 2007's Best Foreign Oscar winner The Lives of Others, a Serenity Collector's Edition, and other... More...

February 05, 2007: Whedon Walks On "Wonder Woman"
Just before the weekend we learned that Warner Bros. had commissioned a second "Wonder Woman" screenplay, and now we now why: Fan favorite filmmaker Joss Whedon is... More...

October 06, 2006: Whedon Confirms It: No "Serenity" Sequels
Fanboy favorite Joss Whedon has given his supporters a whole bunch of fun stuff over the years, but it certainly looks like his "Firefly" & "Serenity"... More...

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