Review of Serenity (2005) by Stuart K — 06 Feb 2015

Written and directed by Joss Whedon, this was a continuation of his short lived sci-fi 2002 TV series Firefly. Because the series was a cult success, Whedon was able to convince Universal to do this follow-up film.

But, Whedon had little time to make the film, and a fraction of the budget than he would have liked. Even though it didn't find a breakout audience in cinemas, it was a hit on DVD, like Firefly was.

Set in the year 2517, humanity has left Earth, and found a new solar system, colonising many of the planets and moons there, but there was a war between the sophisticated, cultured Alliance and the less than diplomatic Colonies, now there's an uneasy truce.

River Tam (Summer Glau) was being held against her will by the Alliance, but was rescued by her brother Simon (Sean Maher), and they've ended up with the crew of Serenity, captained by Malcolm Reynolds (Nathan Fillion), with his crew consisting of Zoe (Gina Torres), Wash (Alan Tudyk), Inara (Morena Baccarin) and Jayne (Adam Baldwin).

On their tail is The Operative (Chiwetel Ejiofor). It's a good sci-fi film, which has the structure of a space western, but you don't have to be a fan of Firefly to enjoy it, but it might help.

But, judging from what's on offer here, you could have had a good franchise with this. Whedon finally hit the big time with The Avengers (2012), the rest as they say, is history.