Amazon.com: As the 2005 theatrical release of Serenity made clear, Firefly was a science fiction concept that deserved a second chance. Devoted fans (or "Browncoats") knew it all along, and with this well-packaged DVD set, those who missed the show's original broadcasts can see what they missed. Creator Joss Whedon's ambitious science-fiction Western (Whedon's third series after Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel) was canceled after only 11 of these 14 episodes had aired on the Fox network, but history has proven that its demise was woefully premature. Whedon's generic hybrid got off to a shaky start when network executives demanded an action-packed one-hour premiere ("The Train Job"); in hindsight the intended two-hour pilot (also titled "Serenity," and oddly enough, the final episode aired) provides a better introduction to the show's concept and splendid ensemble cast. Obsessive fans can debate the quirky logic of combining spaceships with direct parallels to frontier America (it's 500 years in the future, and embattled humankind has expanded into the galaxy, where undeveloped "outer rim" planets struggle with the equivalent of Old West accommodations), but Whedon and his gifted co-writers and directors make it work, at least well enough to fashion a credible context from the incongruous culture-clashing of past, present, and future technologies, along with a polyglot language (the result of two dominant superpowers) that combines English with an abundance of Chinese slang.
What makes it work is Whedon's delightfully well-chosen cast and their nine well-developed characters--a typically Whedon-esque extended family--each providing a unique perspective on their adventures aboard Serenity, the junky but beloved "Firefly-class" starship they call home. As a veteran of the disadvantaged Independent faction's war against the all-powerful planetary Alliance (think of it as Underdogs vs. Overlords), Serenity captain Malcolm Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) leads his compact crew on a quest for survival. They're renegades with an amoral agenda, taking any job that pays well, but Firefly's complex tapestry of right and wrong (and peace vs. violence) is richer and deeper than it first appears. Tantalizing clues about Blue Sun (an insidious mega-corporation with a mysteriously evil agenda), its ties to the Alliance, and the traumatizing use of Serenity's resident stowaway (Summer Glau) as a guinea pig in the development of advanced warfare were clear indications Firefly was heading for exciting revelations that were precluded by the series' cancellation. Fortunately, the big-screen Serenity (which can be enjoyed independently of the series) ensured that Whedon's wild extraterrestrial west had not seen its final sunset. Its very existence confirms that these 14 episodes (and enjoyable bonus features) will endure as irrefutable proof Fox made a glaring mistake in canceling the series. --Jeff Shannon
Bummer. ^ Over 3,000 reviews and counting. So here is my two cents (soon to be lost in a sea of thousands of other pennies).
Like many, I never saw this short-lived series when it first aired. I never saw BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, nor ANGEL, nor have I watched the current DOLLHOUSE. Joss Whedon? Who is he? Then again, I don't watch any TV series on a regular basis because I don't make an effort to know what day or what time they are on. If a TV program comes on, I may watch it if it interests me, otherwise I move on to something else or pop in a movie (I also missed the entire 4-year run of BSG, but bought that series just recently). So how did I come to see this series?
Well, it started when I rented the movie SERENITY on a lark, and the film surprising me. A western in space? Sure, why not? It makes perfect sense to me, and I liked the movie OUTLAND (which was HIGH NOON in space). And while I like good science fiction and a good western, I usually don't see both in one movie. Plus, the heroes (I use the word loosely) in this film are an odd mix of pirates, thieves, a man of God, and even a prostitute, but all have some sort of code of ethics ... well all except for the character, Jayne;).
Did I feel SERENITY was a great movie? Nope, but it was sure a heck of a lot of fun and had some really witty writing (I ended up purchasing the dvd simply because I felt it was a movie I could enjoy repeat viewings). So what happened? My son mentioned FIREFLY and lent me the series. Turns out that is the worse thing that could have happened. Why? Because I slowly began to get very involved with the series and its characters (this wasn't immediate, it took me several episodes). Of course I bought the dvd set. That was a no-brainer. But I'm a bit bummed. Once I watched the entire series, I knew there would be no more episodes. No more FIREFLY. No more SERENITY. No more witty dialog popping up at the most unexpected times and places. At least I now know who Joss Whedon is.
This series is now classified at cult status (like the original STAR TREK when it was cancelled after the third season). Perhaps its status came about because its life was cut so short (it didn't run for even one full season, and one can "thank" FOX for this blunder). There wasn't enough time to muck it up, but enough time to get one hooked. There were also many questions that need to be fleshed out (the River character especially, but also Shepherd Book, as well as the shadowy agency in the Alliance -- "two by two hands of blue").
Is it really a 5-star series? No, probably not. The acting varies from being a bit stiff at times to very good, but the cast really grows on you as you watch. I mean, how can one not like the slow witted and out-for-yourself Jayne? Or the soldier woman Zoe? Or Mal? Or ... you get the idea. But let's face it, not every episode is a gem, but even the worst ones were entertaining. My favorite episode, and I have several, is "Out of Gas". I rarely have belly laughs when watching a western or science fiction (although the new STAR TREK movie was just as witty), so I'll just call FIREFLY refreshing with its wide variety of very different characters (some with mysterious or murky backgrounds) packed on a run down boat in space. So yes, FIREFLY is worth a 9 out of 10 (or a 5-star rating) in my book. And from the reviews I see here, I guess I'm not alone when I felt twinges of sadness and wanting to see more. And because it won't happen, I consider that realization a bummer.
Excellent Series ^ Firefly is really an excellent series. The imaginative setting and the excellent dialogue and scripting make this probably my favorite series. It's just a shame that it only lasted a single season.
Becoming a Browncoat ^ I've spent the last 20 minutes reading through the 1-star reviews for Firefly on this website. I was surprised to see so many people upset with the acting and the originality of the show, especially when these same people turned around and admitted to liking Star Wars and Battlestar.
Simply put, if you're a science fiction fan, you owe it to yourself to at least try this series, and the feature film based on it. In a week's time, I watched all 14 series episodes and the movie and am now an official Browncoat (Firefly fan) for life.
The characters are all memorable and more importantly, likable. Captain Malcolm Reynolds is an ex-Sergeant, who was on the losing end of a galactic civil war, and current captain of the smuggler ship Serenity. His crew consists of a witty, but weak, pilot, a fun-loving mechanic, a mysterious Shepard, a fowl-mouthed muscle, a dedicated first-mate, and a brother and sister running from the Alliance (think Empire).
The basic structure of each show has the crew of the Serenity traveling around the galaxy from planet to planet, job to job, bad situation after bad situation. It does borrow heavily from established Sci-Fi genre conventions, but it also adds its own twists to the formula, and every episode has several surprise moments that will make you smile or laugh out loud. Joss Whedon creates an engaging universe complete with quirky characters, and he successfully combines Sci-Fi and Western genres.
To address the complaints I began this review with I have to admit the acting never really bothered me. If you pay close attention it becomes obvious these were young actors who were still learning and proving themselves. By the time Serenity came out I thought the acting was far superior to anything Star Wars ever produced. Also, to call this show unoriginal and still admit to loving Battlestar, a show that is about robots vs. humans in a dystopian future, is a little absurd to me. Everybody has their preferences, but most of the negative reviews here seem to be a direct assault on the fans of Firefly, not the show itself.
Great Series !!!! ^ rarely do you find a series that has such great chemistry amongst the actors. This one has it. Great dialogue, humor, timing, story. AN ALL AROUND GREAT SERIES. Not to mention the movie that came out as well. You will enjoy this one!!!
As good as Star Trek or Star Trek Next Generation ^ A fabulous series that was killed in its first season. Shame on HBO for allowing whomever to kill this great Sci Fi series. The action is great and the story is believable. This is the story of a group of misfits who end up together in a space ship that goes around from planet to planet just trying to scrap together a living, but always ended up in trouble. The cast is fantastic, it makes me a big fan of Nathan Fillion, and you'll love the other cast members. One of them is now the alien leader in the new series "V", another is the cyborg in the series Terminator. Nathan now has a new series "Castle" so I like their new stuff but I'm sad there will not be anymore episodes of this fabulous series. This one is worth twice what I had to pay for it.
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