Serenity is a science fiction film written and directed by Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel), who created the much-missed TV series Firefly, which features the same characters and takes place in the same universe. Unfortunately it lasted only 14 episodes but its strong DVD sales and large fan-base led to the team reuniting for a cinematic release.
Firefly/ Serenity
The TV show and movie take their names from the crew’s spaceship; a Firefly-class ship called Serenity after the Battle of Serenity Valley, where the captain and his first mate fought on the losing side. It’s not necessary to watch the TV series before the film, as enough backstory is explained for those new to the universe.
Introduction to the Verse
Serenity is set 500 years in the future. Earth could no longer sustain the human population so they moved to a new solar system with dozens of planets and terraformed them so they could support human life. The central planets formed the Alliance and were ruled by an interplanetary parliament but the outer planets refused to be controlled. The Independents fought a war against the Alliance and lost.
The captain of the spaceship Serenity, Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds (Nathan Fillion), and his first mate Zoe (Gina Torres) are veterans of the war after fighting on the losing side. Along with the rest of their crew, they now live a life of petty crime, trying to keep under the Alliance’s radar. However, when a young girl and her brother come aboard, they find themselves in great danger.
Secrets and Truth
River Tam (Summer Glau) was held by Alliance scientists where she was mentally and physically conditioned. The gifted and bright girl also has some psychic abilities and may have learned certain secrets from Alliance politicians after they paid her a visit. Her brother Simon (Sean Maher) rescues her from the scientists and they seek refuge on Serenity.
An Alliance ‘Operative’ (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and a large military force set out to hunt for River before she tells anyone their secrets. The ruthless assassin, who gives people a “good death", will stop at nothing and won’t let anyone get in his way. The crew of Serenity have to try and outrun the Alliance, while avoiding the cannibalistic creatures known as Reavers, as they race to expose the shocking truth about the mysterious “Miranda”.
Serenity’s crew
Mal Reynolds has a small, eclectic crew on his ship including his first mate and fellow Browncoat Zoe, light-hearted pilot Wash (Alan Tudyk), burly Jayne (Adam Baldwin) who is always handy in a fight, the ship’s mechanic Kaylee (Jewel Staite), and new members River and Simon, who acts as the ship’s doctor. Shepherd Book (Ron Glass) and Inara (Morena Baccarin), a companion (a respectable courtesan), have recently left the ship and are living on different planets but they both appear during the film.
Space Western
Serenity is an exciting sci-fi adventure, offering fans a continuation of the TV series Firefly after its untimely demise. It makes an easy transition from the small screen to the big screen and the actors are all impressive. Writer and director Joss Whedon shows off his trademark wit, likeable characters and strong females.
The romantic tension between Captain Mal and Inara carries over from Firefly, as does the strong bond between the crew and the action-packed predicaments they regularly become embroiled in. For those familiar or new to the exploits of the crew, there is a great story, funny dialogue, a strong ensemble cast and lots of action to enjoy.
Film Details:
Serenity (2005)
- Director: Joss Whedon
- Stars: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Adam Baldwin, Summer Glau, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Morena Baccarin, Sean Maher, Jewel Staite, Ron Glass
Emma Hutchings - Film Studies graduate, freelance writer, movie reviewer & blogger who writes for PSFK, Flickering Myth, Flickfeast & Suspend Your ...
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