While that lumbering Bon Jovi-like song that every episode of the TV series was forced to fly in under is thankfully missing, the colourful crew of the good ship Serenity makes the journey from television to motion picture wholly intact. Captain Mal (Nathan Fillion) is still his charming, if at times coldly autocratic self. Though he says he cares about "me and mine" aboard his ship, Mal can also be a tad obsessive and, occasionally, downright cold when it comes to what he figures is necessary.
In this story, the oppressive ruling government is personified by a lethal individual known only as "the operative", who does not appreciate dissent anymore than Captain Mal takes kindly to his crew questioning his decisions. A fact made clear during the crew's perilous journey to a planet called Miranda where ultimate truths lay waiting both for the enigmatic River (Summer Glau) as well as for the operative, whose mission it is to keep hidden the facts of what occurred on this mysterious world. The lengths that both the operative as well as Mal will go, believing their means will surely justify the ends, bears real significance on the outcome of this story.
The movie's effects work is all impressively done with the smuggler's ship Serenity (resembling something like a metal dog and a collection of garbage cans) flying into some screen-filling outer space warfare. Even more awesome is the film's stunning climactic fight sequence in which River, summoning all of her impressive abilities, single-handedly takes on a horde of mutant cannibals known as Reavers. Excellently shot, energetically choreographed and beautifully performed by actress Summer Glau, this battle is deliriously fun to watch and ends with an image of triumph that's as cool as anything you've ever seen in a movie. Coming on the heels of his other creation, Buffy the vampire slayer, the character of River confirms Joss Whedon's undeniable gift for creating memorable screen heroines.
One quibble with this screen adaption is Whedon's decision to kill off established characters as if he felt there was no reason to keep the entire crew breathing for a possible sequel. A disappointing and very questionable decision indeed.
That aside, this is still an action-packed adventure with an interesting cast of nicely defined characters. It's message (that what's right to some is not necessarily right for all, and that authority sometimes must be questioned) is well conveyed, and even timely. "Serenity" is definitely a worthwhile ride.
In this story, the oppressive ruling government is personified by a lethal individual known only as "the operative", who does not appreciate dissent anymore than Captain Mal takes kindly to his crew questioning his decisions. A fact made clear during the crew's perilous journey to a planet called Miranda where ultimate truths lay waiting both for the enigmatic River (Summer Glau) as well as for the operative, whose mission it is to keep hidden the facts of what occurred on this mysterious world. The lengths that both the operative as well as Mal will go, believing their means will surely justify the ends, bears real significance on the outcome of this story.
The movie's effects work is all impressively done with the smuggler's ship Serenity (resembling something like a metal dog and a collection of garbage cans) flying into some screen-filling outer space warfare. Even more awesome is the film's stunning climactic fight sequence in which River, summoning all of her impressive abilities, single-handedly takes on a horde of mutant cannibals known as Reavers. Excellently shot, energetically choreographed and beautifully performed by actress Summer Glau, this battle is deliriously fun to watch and ends with an image of triumph that's as cool as anything you've ever seen in a movie. Coming on the heels of his other creation, Buffy the vampire slayer, the character of River confirms Joss Whedon's undeniable gift for creating memorable screen heroines.
One quibble with this screen adaption is Whedon's decision to kill off established characters as if he felt there was no reason to keep the entire crew breathing for a possible sequel. A disappointing and very questionable decision indeed.
That aside, this is still an action-packed adventure with an interesting cast of nicely defined characters. It's message (that what's right to some is not necessarily right for all, and that authority sometimes must be questioned) is well conveyed, and even timely. "Serenity" is definitely a worthwhile ride.