Serenity (2005)

⭐ 7.9 | PG-13 | 119 minutes

DVD (1 discs ) Blu-ray (2 discs ) Digital ✓

Genre: Science Fiction

Aspect Ratio: Wide

Sound: DD 5.1

Synopsis

Serenity offers perfect proof that Firefly deserved a better fate than premature TV cancellation. Joss Whedon's acclaimed sci-fi Western hybrid series was ideally suited (in Browncoats, of course) for a big-screen conversion, and this action-packed adventure allows Whedon to fill in the Firefly backstory, especially the history and mystery of the spaceship Serenity's volatile and traumatized stowaway, River Tam (Summer Glau). Her lethal skills as a programmed "weapon" makes her a coveted prize for the power-hungry planetary Alliance, represented here by an Operative (Chiwetel Ejiofor) who'll stop at nothing to retrieve River from Serenity's protective crew. We still get all the quip-filled dialogue and ass-kicking action that we've come to expect from the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but Whedon goes a talented step further here, blessing his established ensemble cast with a more fully-developed dynamic of endearing relationships. Serenity's cast is led with well-balanced depth and humor by Nathan Fillion as Captain Mal Reynolds, whose maverick spirit is matched by his devotion to crewmates Wash (Alan Tudyk), Zoe (Gina Torres), fun-loving fighter Jayne (Adam Baldwin), engineer Kaylee (Jewel Staite), doctor Simon (Sean Maher), and Mal's former flame Inara (Morena Baccarin), who plays a pivotal role in Whedon's briskly-paced plot. As many critics agreed, Serenity offered all the fun and breezy excitement that was missing from George Lucas's latter-day Star Wars epics, and Whedon leaves an opening for a continuing franchise that never feels cheap or commercially opportunistic. With the mega-corporate mysteries of Blue Sun yet to be explored, it's a safe bet we haven't seen the last of the good ship Serenity.

Cast

Adam Baldwin

Nathan Fillion

Gina Torres

Alan Tudyk

Morena Baccarin

Jewel Staite

Sean Maher

Summer Glau

Chiwetel Ejiofor

Director

Joss Whedon

Awards & Nominations

None

Keywords

Action Adventure Based On TV Show Science Fiction Space

Technical Specifications

Audio Languages

English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish

Subtitle Languages

Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish

Special Features

Audio commentary
Deleted/extended scenes
Featurettes/Behind-The-Scenes/Documentaries
Gag Reel/Bloopers/Outtakes
Over 20 minutes of Deleted Scenes & Outtakes
Joss Whedon Introduction
Relighting The Firefly (The story of how a television show gained enough of a cult following to become a major feature film)
Feature Audio Commentary with writer/director Joss Whedon
Feature Commentary with Writer / Director Joss Whedon & Cast Members
Alliance Database
Future History - The Story of Earth That Was
What's In A Firefly
Re-Lighting The Firefly
Take A Walk On Serenity
A Filmmaker's Journey
The Green Clan
Session 416
U-Control: Mr. Universe's Compendium
U-Control: Digital Tour of Serenity
U-Control: Picture in Picture
U-Control: Visual Commentary with Writer/Director Joss Whedon & Cast

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