Serenity (2005)
Moderate violence
Captain Malcom Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) finds himself running from a skilled Alliance operative who wants River Tam (Summer Glau), and who will stop at nothing to get her; meanwhile, River's capabilities become more clear to the crew of Serenity.
| Status: | QuickPick |
|---|---|
| Run time: | 119mins |
| Origin: | UNITED STATES |
| Aspect Ratio: |
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Member Reviews (115)
115 Member
Reviews
says
Sci Fi / drame. Pretty good. Thankfully not to gruesome in it;s depiction of fierce alien creatures. Wont give u nightmares like the Alien movies!
Stuart
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This was better as a TV series than a movie. Still, IF you enjoyed the show you will love this.
Miss Penny
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Funny, smart, amazing acting and action. One of my top 10 favourite movies; I went out and bought it, and then hunted down Firefly (the tv show). This is more sci-fi than western, whereas firefly was more western, but they are both totally awesome.
John
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Has rewatch value 2 years later... could be worse.
I enjoyed it
Tamas
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Great effects, but that's all. No storyline, no characters, boring, hard to follow. I am a fan of Sci-fi but this is just a big disappointment. Perhaps it makes sense for those who have seen Firefly. I wouldn't bother now... Waste of time. Too long, too. I should have stopped halfway.
Melissa
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Not too bad, could be better.. Not sure about the storyline though.
JenniferT
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A lot of talent, and some very good looking male leads, but for me this film bombed through clumsy dialogue and too many cliches. I think it would have been better if it'd been made as a spoof, but unfortunately not.
Deion
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A very watchable.... very B-rated Sci-fi... with wonderful moments of WOW. Naturally the concept has been done time and time again...however, it's done well. Give it a go. Grab a decent pizza, some decent beer, and watch this decent movie. enjoy
kaz l gibbs
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I nearly didnt watch this due to reading some scathing and overly "would be" film chair critic reviews on this site. I've made that mistake before however and vowed to find out for myself, and am glad I did. I was thoroughly entertained and engaged in the story, annoyed by the characters making choices that I woudnt have (so good when that happens) and was left at the credits with that nice buzz that comes from being 'there'. The cgi was good and believable, all important for immersing into the story. There's some good biff without being too gory, interesting good vs bad tensions and some clever weaving with narrative to make you think about what is actually happening, rather than being spoon fed. There were some moments that were not as good as others, but overall I was seeing the story, not actors and cameras...that works for me..hope you enjoy it too.
Joy S.
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A surprisingly enjoyable movie even though I'm not a sci fi fan nor had I seen the series others had mentioned.
Ed C.
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I found this movie boring. The characters were very one dimensional, no character development.
As for the story, things seem unexplained as if I'd come in halfway through.
lots of cliches, and the unsteady camera work during action scenes gets very tiresome.
Sebastien
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Pity they axed the show.
Aston W.
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My cup of tea
Lynne H.
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didn't like it. i don't think i get it
Gail
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Good storyline and effects but apart from a couple of actors a lot of the acting and dialogue was cheesy . And I like sci-fi so this was a little disappointing.
Lotta
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I love this film. Seen it a few times. Awesome dialogue and story line. Good sci-fi.
Cassie W.
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I quite enjoyed it, thought the storyline was good and it was entertaining. I have not seen Firefly but might have to go find it now.
Thomas B.
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I accidentally stumbled on this title, and without much further thought decided to rent it.
I had no idea what great treat I was in for!!
This is one of my all-time favourite movies. It has great action, humour, convincing acting and a thrilling story that actually makes sense within itself (rare for most movies).
As an added bonus, I watched this (and the Firefly series) together with my wife who does not like Science Function, but she was COMPLETELY HOOKED on Firefly and Serenity.
Highly recommended viewing!
Avril
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Very entertaining.
Derek
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Great tie up shame the season did not run longer, I would have loved to see more character dios.
Paul S.
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The movie that follows the best sci fi tv series you've never heard about! Sci fi fans will love it and many who aren't into sci fi will also love it. The characters are the strong point and you'll find this movie has elements of sci fi, western, drama, comedy and romance.
Tom C.
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I gave it two stars because it was a long episode rather than a movie. It still suffers from the nihilist individualism that is the myth of the good old US of A. There's too much/many inconsistencies and contradictions to call this a movie. The ending was pathetic, what is it with swords and mindless violence. The idea that winning makes rught seems bizzare. This is basically fodder for the herd.
Naomi O.
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I'm not even much on a sci-fi / fantasy fan, but I love Firefly and Serenity. This is a fanatastic film, with great story, characters, direction and acting.
Sharon C.
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hmm. Saw it a while back. Never really enjoyed the fifly series so maybe that's why I didn't like this movie much
Jodie N.
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Well worth the effort - pity the series didn't continue
Abraxas
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This looked like it had the goods for the first half-hour. Then it settles down and begins to look like an extended episode of one of those over-budgeted and interchangeable TV sci-fis (which is basically what it is).
Hopelessly derivative - another review called it a "low-rent Star Wars". A rakish pilot who trades contraband right under the nose of The Alliance using his beaten-up but trusty ship, reluctantly persuaded to assist rebels with some important information that could bring down the government, Chiwetel Ejiofor as the requisit classically-trained baddy. (Mercifully, he doesn't turn out to be anyone's father...)
The characters all speak in an idiom that might be called "Galactic Farmboy", which means they refer to their spacecraft as a boat, and say things like "she's beat-up good, but she'll fly true". It's quaint at first, but irritating after a while. As are most of the characters. As is the plot, which is totally predictable after a certain point.
I assume you're supposed to be familiar with the TV series. If so, you might rate this higher.
Karin G.
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Excellent movie; so tragic that Firefly on TV was cancelled.
Sandra M.
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AVERAGE FILM
Patricia O.
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Ho Hum.
Stargate runs rings around it !!!
Jason B.
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Hardcore Firefly fans might be disappointed in Serenity's inability to tie up all of the series' loose ends, but for those of us who enjoyed Firefly without getting rabid about it, Serenity is an excellent piece of space opera. It makes me wish the series had started with a movie like this, rather than concluding with it.
The cast and crew are so comfortable with each other that Serenity is a joy to watch even if just for the realxed ease of the performances.
A warning, though, this is one instance where you really do have to have seen the series first, despite what anyone might tell you.
Alfred S.
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I'm more a "Star Trek" person than a "Star Wars" one. I thought that Star Wars was not really a sci-fi film but a fantasy adventure and although I admired the 6 films, I've been waiting for something better. Serenity is a little more fi than sci too but it comes across as a breath of fresh air in this genre. I thought it was great entertainment, loved the witty dialogue and look forward to watching the prequel TV series Firefly.
Gerry V.
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Michael G.
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S. C.
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Absolutely brilliant! If you love the Firefly series, this answers some questions and gives a bit of closure to that fantastic series. Joss Whedon is a god
Kylie E.
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great movie
Matt A.
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Watch the Firefly series first and this movie will make heaps more sense!!
very enjoyable!
Michael C.
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great movie
Stephen G.
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I loved this. And the TV series Firefly. So annoyed that they canned the series. Very happy to see the movie and hoping for a sequel.
My wife loved it too - both movie and TV series.
Barry R.
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A western in space'witty,action packed,great surround sound and special effects.
Adrian W.
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Very well done movies
Nigel A.
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Lara M.
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Ellie F.
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Okay if you're into sci-fi
Malcolm H.
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a great climax toi the sadly defunct tv series. what makes the film a little disappointing for me is that the characters don't get to display the same level of clever dialogue and interaction as they did in the tv series. still, it is a film that is well worth watching for all sf fans, but watch the firefly series first if you can
Elizabeth J.
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Interesting show found it to be different to what I was expecting. Strictly a one view movie though. Once I had watched it my interest was piqued.
Chris P.
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Dianne A.
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A bit budgety, good storyline, generally average sci fi movie.
Shane C.
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Ken B.
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It was ok watching but would have liked it more if there was more action involved.
Christine K.
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Not bad but one could be easily distracted
Janice K.
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Did not like this at all
Adam
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Add little known actors, mixed with an interesting 'space western' idea, based loosely on the American civil war - and you get Serenity - which all in all is a pretty good movie. NOTE: After seeing this movie, I watched the series and found it incredibly boring.
Lauren P.
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Sue T.
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Excellent , the movie a lot of action...
Karen D.
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Janette L.
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We thought it was an ok movie, although reminded us along the lines of Star Wars and Star Trek at times. Our 14 year old son really enjoyed it being a Star Wars fan, my husband found it a bit difficult to "get into it", as for myself I didn't mind it.
Kevin W.
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There is lots of better SciFi movies about, but if you've seen them all, then this one won't hurt. It's not a rivetting movie, but the story was interesting enough.
Rudolf E.
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Jenny M.
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R. G.
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Must see the Firefly series first. This is not everyone's cup of tea but this is one of the best written and imaginative franchises available. Unfortunatly Firefly was stopped before ever getting the recognition it deserved. This movie is a little hope for all those fans out there. Great stuff.
Sue J.
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As someone who had not seen the original Firefly TV series, I found the plot a little confusing at first, but warmed to the movie as it progressed. A sci-fi adventure, reminiscent of the old TV westerns and the first two Star Wars movies. Impressive special effects for such a low budget movie. With fast-paced action and humour, it nevertheless has little character development and very unclear motivation at times - as well as some rather clumsy moments where plot developments are explained after the fact. A good way to spend a couple of hours, but not a great movie. The DVD extras are definitely worth watching though. The director, Joss Whedon, comes across as a creative and warm personality with a strong sense of humour. Also evident is the warmth and friendship between the director and all the cast members, who came together to make this feature movie after the Firefly TV series was axed prematurely by the TV networks (apparently after only 11 of the 14 episodes made).
Priscilla B.
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Definetly worth watching. Great action.
Ian P.
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Michael M.
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Timbo
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Terri F.
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Fe E.
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Heidi K.
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was surprised at the humour - fun to watch
Shaun O.
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loved the sifi - great bloopers too!
Patrick S.
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Luisa E.
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This was a cross between Star Wars/Matrix/Fifth Element and Indiana Jones but not as good. I struggled to get through this but if you're a huge Star Wars fan, you will possibly like it.
Jon Y.
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If you love the TV series, you will love the movie. It is an extension of the series but I dont think you need to have seen it to get something out of the movie.
Charlene B.
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Brenton A.
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I really liked the movie but it was a bit hard to work out what was going on at the start.
Richard W.
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Excellant - well worth watching....
Cheryl S.
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Barbara S.
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Barry D.
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A good solid sci-fi/fantasy with the right mix of excitement and a dash of humour.
JW
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poppy
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It was a good movie. Something I could sit through again. I am into psychics and the unexplained, so the character "River" intrigued me. This sci-fi movie was interesting and had it's quirky bits too. A good movie to pass the time away.
Katherine M.
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Serenity and the Firefly series have ruined Sci Fi for me, nothing else comes close to being as entertaining.
Cindy H.
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Fans of Firefly will love this!!
Christopher G.
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Serenity is a space opera with no time for character development or setting the scene. The film dives straight into unwinding the history of the future through the travails of a crew of mercenaries and rogues who help rescue a Buffy-style petit yet lethal woman.
There is much to commend about Serenity. The editing, design, and special effects make this look like a film that cost 5 times as much to make. The universe is interesting-sounding, and obviously fertile ground for a TV series. The main characters are entertaining yet shallow. The script is a roller-coaster, but it had me groaning in some scenes with questionable character motivation and Agatha Christie-style information disclosure shortly after critical moments in the plot.
Good, not great.
mick
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Good escapism. The acting is quite good from a cast of relative unknowns. Don't try & take it too seriously, just kick back and enjoy the ride.
Steve R.
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JD
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I liked it & will now go and watch the series.
Sean D.
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Some great special effects but overall a poor storyline
Damon W.
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Sheila B.
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If you like sci=fi you will like this movie a little bit strange but has a lot of humour in it worth a watch
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elliyeti
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Not enough character development. Some of the crew members, for example, could have been deleted from the script without affecting the movie at all.
Sometimes the special effects were a bit ordinary, very obviously done on a computer.
Serenity had promise but it didn't quite make it.
David M.
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Margaret M.
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Greg M.
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If you like sci-fi movies then this is not to be missed. River is a walking time bomb who is primed to go off if the circumstances are right. Excellent cast and excellent storyline.
Ben
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This is teen age sci-fi pretending to be more adult (the Star Trek fans would love it). The rips off from Stars Wars are shameless (the Han Solo type complete with dodgy ship) the Darth Vader type who turns good. All credibility is lost with the broadcast that somehow ends an empire (wouldnt the empire just say its digitally rendered propaganda???).
Charles T.
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Entertaining
Betsy F.
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Peter P.
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Rob R.
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Loved this movie when it was on the big screen. Still loved it on second viewing. A great mixture of drama, action, comedy and tradegy. I'd describe it as a sci-fi Western. A lot of fun.
Joanne E.
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Was a bit slow in places. Not what I expected.
Adam
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not as good as I have heard people telling me it is - but good flick none the less. Clever dialogue and great fight scenes. If you are a bit squeamish, there are some disturbing scenes, but definitely worth watching!
Tony G.
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Geoff E.
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moves along nicely, lots of action/adventure sci-fi style with a few twists. my kind of movie
filmasart
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A fast moving Sci fi tale of underdogs fighting for truth, justice, ... .
The script is fast moving, at times humerous, with likeable characters. Visually stunning and at times closly engaging. Serenity is an enjoyable experience.
Kelvin A.
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Superb! Clever devlopment of Firefly plot. Great to finally see River's full powers come to light. I'm sure the fans will love this one!
Louise D.
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Nathan C.
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Rima A.
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Susie S.
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No big names but if you enjoyed Star Wars, then you'll love the flash back to the milennium falcon and the Alliance days. Highly unbelievable but just plain good escapism
Joy O.
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Louisa O.
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Nicholas O.
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Ian H.
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I cannot remember being so entertained by a dvd. It has everything, even the soundtrack is good. I have now become a Browncoat
Harry B.
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not my cup of tea
Travis W
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Don't miss this wonderful movie "extension" of the firefly series, it captures everything that made the series what it was, comedy, sci-fi, action & western. Joss has shown he is able to helm big action pieces, the special effects are subtle but effective, the plot is probably going to make more sense to those who have watched the tv show, but it doesn't mean that it is confusing for those that haven't seen it. The extra features are okay, hearing Joss' commentary was interesting, the behind the scenes doco's were fun, and the deleted scenes were a bit of a let down as there aren't too many.
Overall not to be missed if you like sci-fi/action with intelligence and a bit of a laugh, if you want more of it, watch the tv series to get the whole picture.