Serenity (aka "Firefly" the movie)
 

I reckon it's a might bit early to start a thread about a movie that isn't coming out until September 30, but the trailer was just released and it looks sweet as hell.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/universal/serenity/

The film is based off Joss Whedon's amazing, fantastic, superb yet painfully short-lived (less than one season) sci-fi series "Firefly." I couldn't reccommend this show enough to anyone who likes sci-fi. The entire run of the show (including episodes never aired) is available on DVD (so go buy it/rent it/put it on your Netflix list/or whatever kids are doing this days). Universal greenlighted this picture on the strength of the show's DVD sales. Impressive stuff.

I aint quite there yet, old man. But if I do have to cross that bridge in the future I now know who to call. Appreciate it.

I watched like 2 episodes of firefly and lost all interest....you're saying it was actually popular?

And it's QuikSand with the brilliant one-post threadjack.

Nicely done.

It wasn't popular at all while on the air. Fox dicked around with it. Showed episodes out of order. Changed the time and day it aired. Basically ruined any chance it had.

Once it was put out on DVD, however, it became quite a hit. A cult it, in most regards, but the sales were strong enough for Universal to take a chance in making a motion picture out of a TV show that had poor ratings. That's gotta say something.

I'd reccomend giving it another shot, but, hey, people like different things. Heck, some people even think the last two Star Wars movies were as good as the originals. People are crazy sometimes. ;)

SERENITY NOW!!

.. Insanity later

From a show that Fox stupidly aired out of order, and therefore never had a real chance to pick up a real fan base before being canceled after 10-11 aired episodes, to a show that sold unbelievably well on DVD thanks to word of mouth recommendations, to a 50 million dollar budgeted movie. One of the best examples of quality winning out even after the entertainment executives never gave it a real chance in the begining.

OK and I just saw the trailer. I don't need a kleenex, I need a freakin mop. Wow, those are some of the best special effects I have ever seen, the filming looks really crisp and exciting too. The movie is gonna rock, especially for those of us that love the show.

It was alright. Kind of fun TV show. FOX did show the episodes out of order. I watched it when it was on, but never bought the DVD and don't have plans to do so. I'm not sure if a movie will be all that successful, but who knows.

I know it is Fox, and that should explain everything -- but what exactly is the point to airing a series' episodes out of order? What gain could that possibly have to anyone?

My mind instantly went to Serenity the porn star, cause thats how I roll.

You really should give it a chance on DVD if you get a chance. You may not feel different afterwards, but I thought the exact same as you after seeing a few episodes on TV(ok and fun, but nothing that really sets it apart), but watching the characters and story advance in order made a big difference for most. (I gave it the chance simply because so many were saying how much better it was in order, and it was only ~30 bucks for 13-14 one hour episodes).


This was before 24 and Fox didn't yet understand the whole idea of a running storyline in a dramatic series. They saw the script for the first two hour pilot episode and decided that they wanted an action packed one hour first episode to air instead. Which was a shame, because the pilot episode really was a good way to introduce the series. After that Fox screwed with the order at least a couple more times, which hurt Firefly because it had quite a few running plots.

Go watch your extended version director's cut editions of "Phantom Menace" and Attack of the Clones". More your speed. :p :D

Very impressive trailer, I am so looking forward to this, and keeping my fingers crossed that if the movie does well they will bring the show back on the air.

Are you sure about that? I could swear there had been at least one season of 24 played at the time that Firefly aired.

Dola, despite the impressive DVD sales, I'm not sure it will ever be quite right in concept or cost to succeed as a TV show.

Now that I think about it, I think your right. Firefly was fall 2002, and I think 24 first aired in 2001. Which would make Fox's decision to air a drama out of order all the more staggering.

Firefly was incredible. Can't wait for Serenity.

I can see where the whole space cowboy thing would throw some off, but it really was an entertaining show. The movie should do well, I think.

Firefly was 2001. I remember because it was preempted by all the News from 9/11

or atleast I could have swore it was...

You definetly could be right about that. I think the setting would have put people off. Sci-Fi isn't accepted by most... especially not Sci-Fi/Western.

I have to agree. It's a character based sci fi show and wasnt fast paced enough to reach a wide audience. The way FOX handled it made it even worse, though.

It should work really well as a motion picture (maybe series?). With only a $45 million budget, it should certainly be profitable considering all the loyal fans who will see it multiple times.

Firefly was definitely 2002., Below is the order of the episodes, the order which that episode aired, and the dates, to show how out of order they showed the episodes.

1(pilot) 11th to air, 12/20/02
2 1st 9/20/02
3 2nd 9/27/02
4 6th 11/1/02
5 7th 11/8/02
6 3rd 10/4/02
7 4th 10/18/02
8 5th 10/25/02
9 8th 11/15/02
10 9th 12/06/02
11 Never aired
12 Never aired
13 Never aired
14 10th 12/13/02

I felt the same way. I'm a big a fan of Whedon as there is, but even I looked down my nose at the concept and didn't watch it when it was originally aired. That said, after having watched it, the concept works. The concept really works. The cost, however, could make it prohibitive to work as a TV. I think the best things fans could hope from a successful movie is, well, more movies. The chances of the TV show being resurrected are slim to none.

I enjoyed the first couple of episodes I saw, but they were out of order and disjointed. I enjoyed what I saw, but their moving it around kept me from "buying in".

On DvD, it was great. Easilly a great buy at $40 for the whole season/series. It was really only getting started when they cut it.

I enjoyed Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie (Kristy Swanson **bites palm**) but HATED the t.v. show. I kept hearing that Whedon was some kind of genius but I just couldn't get into the show.

I remember the ads for Firefly the t.v. show (Coming this Fall!!) and, being a sci-fi nut, couldn't wait to give it a shot. They played up the Whedon thing which actually made me think I'd hate it.

Best show ever. Regardless of the theme (sci-fi/western) it is just a great cast and even better characters. The Firefly universe was so well thought out and brought to life that this could have become spin-off city.

It never once occurred to me that the show didn't have enough "action" or whatever. Took me all of 1 episode (even out of order) to love the hell out of the characters. (Jayne is prolly my favorite).

To each his own. But in this case, if you don't like the show you have no soul.

Truer words have not spoken on this board in long... long time.

Bump.

Movie's still coming out September 30.

When this thread was originally made, I hadn't seen the show. I borrowed the DVDs from a friend and got really hooked on it. Can't wait for the movie.

Excellent! The show was genious. I was as skeptical as anyone about the premise, but it worked so well. Some great concepts and ideas, though the strength is/was/and always will be the characters.

I just watched the series recently too. Really good show. In case anyone wanted to know, there is a 3-issue comic mini series that bridges the gap between the show and the movie. I've read issues 2 and 3, and some fairly significant stuff happens.

Actually, 24 had run for at least one, maybe two seasons before Firefly came out.

Yes, they ran episodes out of order, which sucked. It also had a real funky timeslot if I recall.

Yeah, "24" started in 2001 (I remember them delaying the first episode because of September 11) and "Firefly" debuted in 2002.

I think Firefly had a dreaded Friday night timeslot, but it was subsequently moved once or twice, which did nothing to help it out. Not having the two hour pilot for a show as story and character driven as "Firefly" is flat out retarded.

I was lucky enough to attend one of the sneak previews a couple months ago, and it is fantastic. I'll definitely be in line again on the 30th.

This TV show would have had a long run if it started on Sci-fi channel instead of Fox. That being said, I've gotten a ton of people hooked by loaning out my DVD set. Trying to win tickets to the premire through a local area contest. Can't wait for the movie!

Serenity fans have a zeal for proselytizing that you usually find in new Evangelical Christians or crack dealers.

Very true. My girlfriend doesn't care for fantasy/sci-fi or action movies/tv, but I had her watch the first 3 episodes of Firefly and she got hooked! :D

Yes, because Sci-Fi channel handled Farscape so well.

Had issues there, but I would think that Joss would have done a little better at managing the Sci-Fi Management.

I recently watched the series on DVD and absolutely loved it. I can't wait for the movie to come out.

Yeah, but Farscape sucked. :)

I think this trailer makes the movie look incredibly "cheap." I understand if the movie is made for the diehard fans. But I watch a lot of Sci-FI movies, and this doesnt look like anything i would want to see in a theatre. The villian looks almost laughable, if he were a "name" actor, I'd buy the fact that its possible that he is evil. Maybe I'll get around to renting it and the TV show sometime.

Huzzah for the Browncoats! I cannot wait for this movie. 10 days to go...

[spoilers in terms of character description]






[fanboy]
Welcome to the world of Joss Whedon. The villains are rarely one dimensional and the Operative is no exception. The fact that he is so polite, or maybe calm is a better word, is a part of what makes him interesting to me. He isn't evil in the traditional sense. He feels little emotion but duty. He's also a true believer in the Alliance. I can't say more without drifting into more spoilers than I should give. I may have crossed that line already for some people.
[/fanboy]

Unlike ausonny, I haven't seen the movie yet, but I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss the film because it looks "cheap". I have seen far, far, far too many movies in the theater because they looked "expensive" in the trailers (see: Michael Bay films, War of the Worlds, and Star Wars prequels, Matrix II & III), but sucked my sweaty balls in terms of plot, dialogue, character, or any other factor that typically makes a movie good. These movies looked good, but sucked ass. It's very possible that Serenity will look bad and stink, but you never know.

Though I do understand the line of thought that says "This movie looks great. I need to see it in a theater to fully appreciate it." (Typicallly with effects movies) and saying "That movie looks good, but I don't necessarily need to plunk down my $10 to see it in a theater. It wont lose much on the small screen, I can wait."

Maybe I'll check the series out. I was one of the few who really enjoyed Whedon's "Alien Resurrection" movie. :)

Wow. I didn't even like that movie and I'm a huge Whedonite.

I love the Alien movies....but....Resurrection...UGH!!
 

They killed the series with that last one. Hopefully with the newer AvP the good name of Aliens can be "resurrected" again (like the pun) ;)

I believe that the series Firefly will be telecast on September 27th all day on SciFi! A marathon, I do believe. I am going to tape all the episodes shown and try and watch them before I decide whether or not to see this movie. The coming attractions really don't sell me on it yet. My Brother loves the show but admits that it is hard to get into.

I would love for there to be a BATTLESTAR GALACTICA MOVIE, of the new series of course. The original series was good for children but silly for anyone older than 14. :p

Ummmmmm....no. AvP was a silly popcorn movie. Good for what it was, but no where in the league of Alien/Aliens.

Hell, I don't think Joss Whedon liked Alien Resurrection...

I don't understand the clips I have been seeing of this movie.

I always thought Fire FLy was a rip off of Cowboy Beebop, but the clips look nothing like what I was expecting.

Also, Seems like there should be 2 lost episodes from the FireFly series as most studios make 16 episodes for new shows.