[T]otal-immersion science fiction... we are hip-deep in this sprawling, interplanetary society...
Serenity (2005)
Tomatometer
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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
Reviews for Serenity
The cleverest, crankiest, wittiest, wildest, and most character-driven sci-fi adventure in 25 years; it's the best outer-space trip I've been on since the empire struck back.
Although watching the movie feels like tuning into a TV program just in time for the series finale --which, um, it sort of is-- this Serenity is decent stuff.
Watching Serenity is like starting at the 84th episode of a convoluted and silly sci-fi soap opera.
Folks looking for just a sci-fi film will be wonderfully surprised by Whedon’s whip crack dialogue and hardcore fans will be just happy to see these people back.
Serenity, despite its simple chase plot and elegant narrative ductwork, is unmistakably a TV season's worth of roller-coastering drama, most of it balanced on the capable shoulders of Fillion, a natural leading man.
Leaps well beyond the rather humble bonds of a mediocre cancelled TV show into the realm of amazing, adventure filmmaking.
...a by-the-numbers tale that will have a great following by its ready-made fan base
Whedon, who always delights in blending genres and tones, has assembled his most frantically disparate collection of pop culture quotations, boldly and cleverly going where plenty have gone before.
A nice gift for Firefly fans, but not quite as good for the rest of us.
Good old-fashioned entertainment that delivers primarily through its storyline, it’s a bit like Star Wars with a dash of Indiana Jones-style action.
This is UPN-style storytelling and aesthetics trying to pass as serious filmmaking.
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.
An A-grade experience. The writing is impeccable, the chemistry among the cast is fantastic, the performances are great, and the action is non-stop!
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