*** Official SERENITY Discussion Thread - Page 9

Finished FF on Saturday, and watched Serenity yesterday -- Enjoyed both thoroughly.

I hope we get more movies, but I am happy that Joss answered all the questions from the series. It's a shame that we didn't get to see these events play out over a season or two.

I just finished up firefly last night. This was some really great stuff. One of my best blind buys to date.

I plan on seeing Serenity on Saturday, if it's still around. It dropped from the #2 spot opening weekend to the #9 spot this past weekend. It's dying very fast.

Man, you must be annoying.

Is that what they said? I saw the cast panels every time at Dragon*Con, and this number came up to questions about ressurrecting the series. The cast, Adam Baldwin typically, would say that a new show was just about out of the question, and that they were hoping for $80 million worldwide to greenlight sequels so they could finish a trilogy.

Now, that sounds to me $80 million guarantees a sequel -- but less of a gross doesn't necessarily rule them out. I'm sure Universal will look at all the revenues from the film from theater down to TV buys before making a final decision. They undertook this project full well knowing that it was an uphill battle, and with DVD being such a huge revenue source they'll probably wait until the final numbers are in before making up their minds.

Let's blame the Canadians for the lower box office numbers this weekend. It is thanksgiving weekend here, so not a lot of people are hitting the theaters - recovering from food poisoning, family feuds, purging, tranquilizer effect of turkey, etc.

Six of my friends are catching the movie on Tuesday - none of them have seen it yet, less than half have seen the TV series.

Today I read the three issue comic book series from Dark Horse that bridges some of the plotlines from the series to the movie. It was pretty decent all in all. Joss appears to have had some input on the story - he is co-credited. I'd rather have seen it acted out.

The three main plot points are

1. Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

2. Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

3. Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

Neil

Looks like Parker made yet another cool update to the forum. That new style of spoiler is showing up everywhere, even on years-old threads. So just use regular old spoiler tags.

I enjoyed this movie immensely and plan on seeing it again before it leaves theaters. My girlfriend just got back from a month-long trip and I promised to get her to a theater this week so she could see it. I really am amazed Joss Whedon got this movie made. Given the second week box office, it seems doubtful there will be another, which is very sad because I know there are so many stories with these characters left in Whedon's head that won't get filmed. On the glass-half-full side, how many of my favorite cancelled-too-early series went on to the big screen? Answer: only this one and I am thrilled to have seen it. I can't remember gripping my seat so tightly during the climax of a movie. I had no idea whatsoever who was going to live and who was going to die, which never happens in movies.

Obviously, this movie will make a profit on dvd, but the figure they've been quoting for a sequel is $50 million domestic BO or $80 million international.

I'd see it soon, as it looks like most major franchises are dropping this movie before Friday. I can't find any showtimes for it on fandango past thursday.

I'm guessing this is because it's a bit early for weekend movie times with the new films coming out and working out the new schedule. Most likely by late Wednesday / Thursday weekend movie times will be available for Serenity.

The movie is set for a December DVD release so watch it in theatres while you can.

I can't help but thing a certain (disturbing) event in the film was a potshot at Matrix Revolutions.

I'll agree it's one of the most intense movies I've ever seen. That surprised me.

You're talking about Wash's and Trinity's death, aren't you?

You bet.

As of Oct. 10, 2005 ...


Still has life!

Phil

Considering Whedon's love (and continual aping) of The Matrix (original only), him taking a "potshot" would be irony defined.

I love me some Joss, but he certainly finds creative remixes of good ideas. I half expected Mal to shout "We're trailing REAVERS!!!" when they came through the cloud And that's only scratching the surface. But he cribs the good stuff, and makes it work, so more power to him.

Take care,
Chuck

Don't know if anyone here is Close to Dallas, Tx. But this weekend at a local convention that I'm appearing at Adam Baldwin( Firefly) is also making an appearance. Just thought i would mention it in case anyone cared to meet the man.

For more info check out the
Dallas comic con

I can't believe how fast this movie is dropping in the box office considering all of the positive reviews out there.

I guess I had better see it this week.

Maybe everyone is just waiting for the DVD?

But he's attending Sundays show and not Saturdays so plan accordingly. I know I'll be there.

I haven't seen a commercial for Serenity since the day before it came out. That's why.

Saw the movie for the second time last night, as we wanted to be sure we saw it again before it left theaters. There were a half dozen people in the theater for a 7:30 show on a Tuesday night. I thought that was a pretty good turnout.

Yes, that was very "Galaxy Quest" now that you point it out. So, maybe it wasn't a "potshot" at Matrix Revolutions, but a nod.

Disappointing that the film isn't doing better. There was a good crowd the night I saw it opening weekend. Most were the Firefly fans I'm sure. Maybe they already had all their friends with them.

The DVD has already been announced, but I haven't heard anything about an extended version. I was hoping Whedon had shot some additional scenes to flesh it out a little for the Firefly fans. If so, maybe he's keeping quiet, so a double-dip could pull-in enough money to justify continuing the franchise.

I'd like to go see Serenity again, but I was lucky to find the time to see it a first time. Just bad timing. I'm afraid it will be gone if I don't see it this weekend.

I hope the DVD has a few scene extensions - I scanned the novelization particularly at one section to see if Zoe's reaction played out better, and it did. I hope those additional beats were filmed. A few small moments that makes a big difference.

From another forum, apparently from a BBFC website:

""SERENITY" 113m 59s Widescreen, DVD additional material, DVD Director's audio commentary,
"SERENITY - DELETED AND EXTENDED SCENES" 13m 26s
00:00:21:21 (EXTENDED LILAC ENTRANCE)
00:01:05:20 (EXTENDED KAYLEE AND JAYNE)
00:02:18:20 (INARA AND SHEYDRA)
00:02:12:15 (OPERATIVE TRACKS MAL)
00:02:22:05 (EXTENDED RIVER AND SIMON/HAVEN OPENING)
00:01:27:16 (ESCAPE FROM COMPANION TRAINING HOUSE)
00:00:13:17 (MAL AND INARA SHUTTLE CHASE)
00:02:16:04 (MAL AND INARA QUIET MOMENT)
00:01:06:20 (EXTENDED MAL AND OPERATIVE CODA)"

Seeing it again tomorrow with 3 people. Honestly, it's not fading as quickly as we'd think... The film is going to clear 25 million in the US at least. Assuming it can make 50 million overseas, that's 75 million. Throw in all the merchandise, DVD sales, etc. etc... it's highly likely this universe will live on through a new sequel, miniseries, or SOMETHING.

I can see a sequel performing better than the original, just based on positive word of mouth, the DVD sales, etc. etc.

Before I post a question or two, let me clarify:
- Never watched an episode of Buffy (although I saw the moive in the theater... twice).
- Never watched Angel.
- Never watched Firefly.

I saw Serenity because it looked interesting enough, Whedon had a solid following, and I've enjoyed his writing on Astonishing X-Men.

That all said. I really liked it. Other than Wash's death, that I thought was a bummer because he seemed like a pretty likable (although extraneous) character, I was really happy with the flow of the movie, the effects were above average, and the cast was good. All in all, a good time -- I'm going to try and talk my wife into seeing it with me on Friday (since I know she won't be interested in seeing History of Violence, that I want to see).

A few questions:
1) Does the show have more of River's back story? I was confused about her time in the school and as a non-viewer of the show, had no idea she had a brother until he said so, because he wasn't in the memories.

2) Her memories of Miranda. I take it that the reason she has visions of Miranda, the bodies, and fear of Reevers, is because she saw/glimpsed the archive footage through one of Parliment's heads -- Meaning, they didn't have her watch it to motivate her (ala "Rage" in 28 Days), rather she read one of Parliament's minds and saw the reminents of the tape. Right?

3) Is there more back story or conspiracy on the show for Parliament? The Operative made it sound like there were a slew of unsavory secrets they may have. And the whole "Operative sees he's wrong and lets them go" seemed really off. If the Operative knew that Parliment had skeletons in the closet, why was he so surprised or shocked at the Miranda atrocities? Or was it just that Mal had beaten him fairly, so he let them go out of respect? On the good side, I was going to be seriously disturbed if Mal offered the Operative a spot on the ship -- some have called the movie "tv writing". TV writing would have been "Ah, I know you slaughtered all my safe houses and their families, but deep down you're a good guy, c'mon board." So, thanks for not doing that.

Doug

Doug,

1) There is a bit more background but I wouldn't say that any additional information is imparted. What the show does provide though is how River and her brother Simon interact with the rest of the crew so you certainly learn a lot more about their character if not so much about their "plot".

The events of Serenity were effectively several seasons worth of material on the show. The conspiracy elements were in place in the show but not at the forefront of most episodes and the basic structure of the conspiracy was just beginning to emerge. In fact, the last episode of the series was a major kick in the pants for River's storyline.

2) The Miranda issue seems to be a side effect of her having pyschic abilities and being in the presence of officials from Parliament. Don't think it was intentional at all.

3) IIRC, Parliament is never mentioned by name on the show. However it is revealed the conspiracy involves the alliance and a mysterious group of men who wear blue gloves.

I share your concerns about the Operative's change of heart at the end. Although it can be rationalized it just didn't ring true to me.

If you enjoyed the movie you are almost guaranteed to really enjoy the show.

I did last week but I haven't watched as much TV this week to see if they are still trying. It was on during an obvious genre show(s) that a typical Firefly type fan might watch. I can't remember what it was but it was either Lost (doubt it), Smallville (most likely) or Threshold (could be). I am glad they aren't spending too much more, though. If word of mouth isn't doing it, then an add here or there isn't going to help (it had ads in the beginning and that didn't help, apparently). The ad was short and did the "best reviewed movie of the year" stuff that all f/u ads do. So to spend more money on what is probably an expensive ad just means the movie has to make that much more. It should do a bit more business, come out in two months (awesome!) on DVD and make a killing and then we see what happens.

As for the Hand of Blue guys Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

Wash's death seemed a bit forced to me. I seem to remember there was some concern they might not be able to get Tudyk for the film since he's a fairly busy and successful actor. To me, it was like saying "this guy's too much trouble or too much money to bother getting for the sequels."

He provides a lot of the comic relief in the crew that despite his reluctance to enter dangerous situations is a hotshot pilot who can thread a needle with a Firefly vessel. River doesn't seem like the right person to take his place on the crew. She's a genius, so I'm sure she can fly, but it sure won't be the same. I didn't have any problems with them killing the shepard. That seemed inevitable; he seemed to lose his purpose on the show rather quickly. Yet, we never learned all that much about him.

I wonder if we might see both Wash and the shepard in flashbacks if sequels are made. Whedon did non-linear story-telling on the show, so it wouldn't surprise me if another film jumped around through time a bit.

My father hasn't gotten to see it yet, and I haven't even gotten to tell him about when I saw it. I know he'll be royally pissed when Wash bites it, probably enough to never watch the movie again. It will definitely leave a bad tatse in his mouth.