Serenity review
Sep. 30th, 2005 07:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rivendellroseAfter thinking about it for a little bit and giving myself time to fully absorb everything, I decided that I'd write up this entry now (9/28) so that I don't forget anything or something.
First off, I'll say again that I really liked this movie. It was well-written, well-directed, well-acted, and the overall effect was fabulous. Because my favorite thing about "Firefly" has always been the characters, I think I'd like to arrange my review by each one, hitting other points as I come to them.
Since she's effectively the star of the movie, I'll start with River. I have a huuuuuge fondness for the crazy little girl, and this movie, despite my trepidation from the way the ad campaign was being thrown together, continued everything that I loved about her. From some of the posters, one might get the impression that River had been turned into some kind of pure-battle ninja. I was much afraid of losing my beloved tiny little River with her offbeat genius, and I'm happy to say it was all there. Yes, she's a kickass weapon of mass destruction, but she's still the same little River, too. And I literally got shivers during her "Angel of Vegeance" AKA "HOW DARE YOU HURT MY BROTHER, I KILL YOU ALL NOW" scene. That was a truly beautiful moment. And the end, with her peeking into Kaylee's bunk? Abso-fecking-lutely pure River. I was so happy to see that she hadn't chanaged too much after her revelation. Speaking of revelations, another favorite moment was River standing bare inches away from the hologram on Miranda, absolutely fascinated by the woman. Summer Glau is such a fabulous, truly crystal-transparent actress - every emotion shines right through River's face and posture, and her her whole soul seemed open in that moment. Also, the ending? I know I've said it a thousand times, but Mal is so her replacement Daddy. I love the way she interacts with him in that scene.
Favorite River moments of the whole movie definitely have to be her amazing kickass Angel of Death act toward the end... and her shocked expression at the end of the Hovercraft Ride of DOOM, when they've all nearly died very very VERY messy deaths, and all she has to say is (insert shocked look here): "I swallowed a bug!" ♥
Next, the Big Damn Hero of the day. Mal was the first character I ever saw, and I fell instantly in love with his manner. He grew up a lot over the course of this movie, and I dare to believe we started to see a bit of the 'pre-war' Mal, there toward the end. He's no longer just going where the wind takes him - he has a purpose, now, and something to believe in, to devote himself to. That was a good full-circle from Mal at the beginning of the movie, when he seemed to be losing touch with a bit of his moral code - I agree with Zoe that it's hard to imagine the man we knew during the series leaving anyone behind, even though he wasn't really one of theirs. It was understandable given the circumstances, but you could see him beginning to shatter. And speaking of shattering... I almost cried when they showed Mal watching the little video Kaylee'd taken. Poor man, he was so sad.
Favorite Mal moment? "How could you tell it was a trap?" "Did you hear us fight? (silence) Trap."
Also, River sniffing the bed, in that vid Kaylee took? Perfect. ♥ Dear Simon: your baby sister is getting interested in sex, if in a very strange way. You may panic now. Thank you.
Speaking of Simon... oh, Simon. You wonderful, spazzy, adorable little boob. My one gripe is that him at the beginning of the movie completely contradicts the way he is in "Jaynestown," when he totally can't cope with being 'undercover,' and how horribly pathetic he is at keeping his secret in the original series premiere. He is, however, very much himself in the rest of the movie. I love the way he storms with Mal, and then totally panics when he realizes he's lost Kaylee, too, and the desperate way he tries to talk to her when they arrive at the Maidenhead. He gets special bonus points for finally making clear how he feels about Kaylee toward the end. Gods bless him, he's so adorable. And that blue shirt is still the most hideous thing I've seen in a looooong time. And also? I could HEAR the 'Crazy Space Incest' people going nuts with the operative's comment about love. And yes, Simon is totally obsessed with his sister, and he loves her very dearly. But if either of them have a twisted aspect to that love, it's River. Not Simon. He's too sane for that. And also too proper. And thinking about River and sex in the same sentence would throw him into a conniption fit. ;)
Favorite Simon moment has to be him telling River, "It's okay to leave them to die."
Kaylee is very much Kaylee, although I did somewhat miss her rounder and more feminine, softer look from the series. Alas for Hollywood requirements, she was much prettier with a few more pounds. Still, she's the earthy, wonderfully cheery girl we all know and love. And I honestly think Kaylee got the best line of the WHOLE DAMNED MOVIE. Something like, "Sex?" (Simon agrees, yes, sex would be involved.) "Screw this, I'm LIVING!" I can't recall it exactly, yet, but it really does encompass the best of why I love Kaylee - she's so life-affirming and human, in addition to being the sweetest and happiest and most adorable girl ever. On a sadder note, her "Where's Wash?" line really got me in the gut. And the line about vibrators? Totally awesome. Love love love love love.
On the subject of love... how about Inara? ♥ Fireworks! The uber-high-tech composite bow of DOOM! Her pathetic attempts to physically attack the operative when he's fighting Mal! Gods I love that woman. She's not physically strong, but damned if she won't do whatever she can, and if she isn't just as scary-tough as the others when she needs to be. And I love how pissed off she was at Mal for showing up, and how sad she was when he bitched her out for how she turns him around. And I especially love the end. I never knew the words "I don't know" could sound so good. And telling Mal she didn't think he'd be stupid enough to actually come was just perfect.
On the subject of Book, all I can really say is that I was very sad to see him go, but pleased with how it was done, for the most part. I understand why it happened, in terms of storytelling, and I'd made my peace with it rather a while ago (this was the major thing that I was spoiled for), but I still am a bit angry that we'll never get to deal more with his backstory. I'm convinced, as of now, that he was an operative in the past, and that he gave it up for a religious life, but that his ident-card still lists his Parliament-level clearance, hence what happened in "Safe." I'm glad his last words and actions were suited to the way he'd chosen to live, and I'm glad that his last action in life was to clear up his problems with Mal and give the captain what he needed to move on and grow. He died as he lived, and that's a damn important thing for a man like that. I loved him asking Mal why he always had to assume Book meant God when he talked about belief. That was beautiful, and so very much a Book thing to say.
How about Jayne next? Can you tell I'm avoiding someone? Or rather two someones?
Jayne... is Jayne. Most of his really good lines were, sadly, already in the trailers, but damn if they weren't funny anyway. The beginning with the grappler totally fecking scared me, and I love his constant alcohol thing through the movie. Best of all, though? Passing the booze around when they decide to go in and be heroes - Jayne to Mal to Simon, if I recall. I half expected Simon to pass it to River, and was quite disappointed that he didn't. Her reaction would've been fabulous. Anyway... so much love for the Hero of Canton.
Favorite Jayne line has to be either "let's be bad guys," or the "do you want to run this ship?" exchange. Both very quintessential Jayne.
I really can't avoid it anymore, can I? I'll do the last two together, as it should be.
I've always said, the thing I like most about 'Firefly' is that I love all the characters. I can't even really name a favorite, I love them all so much. But Wash has always been special. He's not the one I identify with, he's not the one I want, but he's the one who makes the show something a bit unique, in that he's the humanity and heart and humour of the show, along with Kaylee. He's also one half of the best damned relationship I've ever seen portrayed on TV, and I'm pissed as all hell that it's over, now. I didn't want to believe it. They left no doubt, with how it happened, but I was still so stunned I found my only conscious thought being "how the hell can they get him out of that?" I'll miss him, and I don't know if I really want to watch any further movies, knowing he won't be there. I don't mean that to sound melodramatic - I just mean that he's a large part of what 'Firefly' is to me, and I loved the show because of all of them, together. I would feel the lack of Book in any later movies, I know, but I just can't imagine 'Firefly' without Wash. The family is broken, the heart of the show is broken, and it makes me so sad just to look at Zoe, now. She'll go on - she proved that, she's too tough a woman to lie down and give up, and she's too grounded and practical to waste time in theatrical mourning. But her hope, I think, is gone. While we were talking last night,![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
nekokoban said it best: Zoe's so grounded, she needed a fly-boy to lift her up. And with him gone... well, I expect to see more of the Zoe that Tracy talked about knowing in the war - the one who didn't smile, or laugh, or joke.
I loved their stability, I loved their fights, I loved how poorly-suited they seemed while nonetheless being completely in love with each other. They were a real couple, with real problems, but they were always there for each other. Real couples like that are damned rare on TV, and I'm furious that they destroyed that. I'm also just plain heartbroken for Zoe. I liked the idea that River can fly the ship, now, but it's just not 'Serenity' without Wash at the helm. With his dinosaurs in front of him, and Zoe leaning over his shoulder.
It doesn't seem quite right to list favorite lines after that, but I totally loved "Define 'interesting.'" "Oh god oh god we're all going to die?" and the "No." "Yes." "No!" "YES!" exchange between him and Mal. Zoe... honestly, all else got thrown out of my head, I think, after her reaction to Wash. I don't want to call that a favorite, but it was a beautiful piece of acting, very raw and real and human.
Altogether, I did very much like it, but I'm not sure I'm for a sequel. I can't imagine Serenity, or "Firefly," without Wash. And I don't think I want to.
Also, for those who are interested, here is a VERY spoilery fic I wrote a few days ago, post-Serenity, and here is the link to pictures of all of us in our Firefly costumes. Because I'm a whore like that, and I feel the need to link to my own stuff, apparently. *Headdesk*
First off, I'll say again that I really liked this movie. It was well-written, well-directed, well-acted, and the overall effect was fabulous. Because my favorite thing about "Firefly" has always been the characters, I think I'd like to arrange my review by each one, hitting other points as I come to them.
Since she's effectively the star of the movie, I'll start with River. I have a huuuuuge fondness for the crazy little girl, and this movie, despite my trepidation from the way the ad campaign was being thrown together, continued everything that I loved about her. From some of the posters, one might get the impression that River had been turned into some kind of pure-battle ninja. I was much afraid of losing my beloved tiny little River with her offbeat genius, and I'm happy to say it was all there. Yes, she's a kickass weapon of mass destruction, but she's still the same little River, too. And I literally got shivers during her "Angel of Vegeance" AKA "HOW DARE YOU HURT MY BROTHER, I KILL YOU ALL NOW" scene. That was a truly beautiful moment. And the end, with her peeking into Kaylee's bunk? Abso-fecking-lutely pure River. I was so happy to see that she hadn't chanaged too much after her revelation. Speaking of revelations, another favorite moment was River standing bare inches away from the hologram on Miranda, absolutely fascinated by the woman. Summer Glau is such a fabulous, truly crystal-transparent actress - every emotion shines right through River's face and posture, and her her whole soul seemed open in that moment. Also, the ending? I know I've said it a thousand times, but Mal is so her replacement Daddy. I love the way she interacts with him in that scene.
Favorite River moments of the whole movie definitely have to be her amazing kickass Angel of Death act toward the end... and her shocked expression at the end of the Hovercraft Ride of DOOM, when they've all nearly died very very VERY messy deaths, and all she has to say is (insert shocked look here): "I swallowed a bug!" ♥
Next, the Big Damn Hero of the day. Mal was the first character I ever saw, and I fell instantly in love with his manner. He grew up a lot over the course of this movie, and I dare to believe we started to see a bit of the 'pre-war' Mal, there toward the end. He's no longer just going where the wind takes him - he has a purpose, now, and something to believe in, to devote himself to. That was a good full-circle from Mal at the beginning of the movie, when he seemed to be losing touch with a bit of his moral code - I agree with Zoe that it's hard to imagine the man we knew during the series leaving anyone behind, even though he wasn't really one of theirs. It was understandable given the circumstances, but you could see him beginning to shatter. And speaking of shattering... I almost cried when they showed Mal watching the little video Kaylee'd taken. Poor man, he was so sad.
Favorite Mal moment? "How could you tell it was a trap?" "Did you hear us fight? (silence) Trap."
Also, River sniffing the bed, in that vid Kaylee took? Perfect. ♥ Dear Simon: your baby sister is getting interested in sex, if in a very strange way. You may panic now. Thank you.
Speaking of Simon... oh, Simon. You wonderful, spazzy, adorable little boob. My one gripe is that him at the beginning of the movie completely contradicts the way he is in "Jaynestown," when he totally can't cope with being 'undercover,' and how horribly pathetic he is at keeping his secret in the original series premiere. He is, however, very much himself in the rest of the movie. I love the way he storms with Mal, and then totally panics when he realizes he's lost Kaylee, too, and the desperate way he tries to talk to her when they arrive at the Maidenhead. He gets special bonus points for finally making clear how he feels about Kaylee toward the end. Gods bless him, he's so adorable. And that blue shirt is still the most hideous thing I've seen in a looooong time. And also? I could HEAR the 'Crazy Space Incest' people going nuts with the operative's comment about love. And yes, Simon is totally obsessed with his sister, and he loves her very dearly. But if either of them have a twisted aspect to that love, it's River. Not Simon. He's too sane for that. And also too proper. And thinking about River and sex in the same sentence would throw him into a conniption fit. ;)
Favorite Simon moment has to be him telling River, "It's okay to leave them to die."
Kaylee is very much Kaylee, although I did somewhat miss her rounder and more feminine, softer look from the series. Alas for Hollywood requirements, she was much prettier with a few more pounds. Still, she's the earthy, wonderfully cheery girl we all know and love. And I honestly think Kaylee got the best line of the WHOLE DAMNED MOVIE. Something like, "Sex?" (Simon agrees, yes, sex would be involved.) "Screw this, I'm LIVING!" I can't recall it exactly, yet, but it really does encompass the best of why I love Kaylee - she's so life-affirming and human, in addition to being the sweetest and happiest and most adorable girl ever. On a sadder note, her "Where's Wash?" line really got me in the gut. And the line about vibrators? Totally awesome. Love love love love love.
On the subject of love... how about Inara? ♥ Fireworks! The uber-high-tech composite bow of DOOM! Her pathetic attempts to physically attack the operative when he's fighting Mal! Gods I love that woman. She's not physically strong, but damned if she won't do whatever she can, and if she isn't just as scary-tough as the others when she needs to be. And I love how pissed off she was at Mal for showing up, and how sad she was when he bitched her out for how she turns him around. And I especially love the end. I never knew the words "I don't know" could sound so good. And telling Mal she didn't think he'd be stupid enough to actually come was just perfect.
On the subject of Book, all I can really say is that I was very sad to see him go, but pleased with how it was done, for the most part. I understand why it happened, in terms of storytelling, and I'd made my peace with it rather a while ago (this was the major thing that I was spoiled for), but I still am a bit angry that we'll never get to deal more with his backstory. I'm convinced, as of now, that he was an operative in the past, and that he gave it up for a religious life, but that his ident-card still lists his Parliament-level clearance, hence what happened in "Safe." I'm glad his last words and actions were suited to the way he'd chosen to live, and I'm glad that his last action in life was to clear up his problems with Mal and give the captain what he needed to move on and grow. He died as he lived, and that's a damn important thing for a man like that. I loved him asking Mal why he always had to assume Book meant God when he talked about belief. That was beautiful, and so very much a Book thing to say.
How about Jayne next? Can you tell I'm avoiding someone? Or rather two someones?
Jayne... is Jayne. Most of his really good lines were, sadly, already in the trailers, but damn if they weren't funny anyway. The beginning with the grappler totally fecking scared me, and I love his constant alcohol thing through the movie. Best of all, though? Passing the booze around when they decide to go in and be heroes - Jayne to Mal to Simon, if I recall. I half expected Simon to pass it to River, and was quite disappointed that he didn't. Her reaction would've been fabulous. Anyway... so much love for the Hero of Canton.
Favorite Jayne line has to be either "let's be bad guys," or the "do you want to run this ship?" exchange. Both very quintessential Jayne.
I really can't avoid it anymore, can I? I'll do the last two together, as it should be.
I've always said, the thing I like most about 'Firefly' is that I love all the characters. I can't even really name a favorite, I love them all so much. But Wash has always been special. He's not the one I identify with, he's not the one I want, but he's the one who makes the show something a bit unique, in that he's the humanity and heart and humour of the show, along with Kaylee. He's also one half of the best damned relationship I've ever seen portrayed on TV, and I'm pissed as all hell that it's over, now. I didn't want to believe it. They left no doubt, with how it happened, but I was still so stunned I found my only conscious thought being "how the hell can they get him out of that?" I'll miss him, and I don't know if I really want to watch any further movies, knowing he won't be there. I don't mean that to sound melodramatic - I just mean that he's a large part of what 'Firefly' is to me, and I loved the show because of all of them, together. I would feel the lack of Book in any later movies, I know, but I just can't imagine 'Firefly' without Wash. The family is broken, the heart of the show is broken, and it makes me so sad just to look at Zoe, now. She'll go on - she proved that, she's too tough a woman to lie down and give up, and she's too grounded and practical to waste time in theatrical mourning. But her hope, I think, is gone. While we were talking last night,
nekokoban said it best: Zoe's so grounded, she needed a fly-boy to lift her up. And with him gone... well, I expect to see more of the Zoe that Tracy talked about knowing in the war - the one who didn't smile, or laugh, or joke.I loved their stability, I loved their fights, I loved how poorly-suited they seemed while nonetheless being completely in love with each other. They were a real couple, with real problems, but they were always there for each other. Real couples like that are damned rare on TV, and I'm furious that they destroyed that. I'm also just plain heartbroken for Zoe. I liked the idea that River can fly the ship, now, but it's just not 'Serenity' without Wash at the helm. With his dinosaurs in front of him, and Zoe leaning over his shoulder.
It doesn't seem quite right to list favorite lines after that, but I totally loved "Define 'interesting.'" "Oh god oh god we're all going to die?" and the "No." "Yes." "No!" "YES!" exchange between him and Mal. Zoe... honestly, all else got thrown out of my head, I think, after her reaction to Wash. I don't want to call that a favorite, but it was a beautiful piece of acting, very raw and real and human.
Altogether, I did very much like it, but I'm not sure I'm for a sequel. I can't imagine Serenity, or "Firefly," without Wash. And I don't think I want to.
Also, for those who are interested, here is a VERY spoilery fic I wrote a few days ago, post-Serenity, and here is the link to pictures of all of us in our Firefly costumes. Because I'm a whore like that, and I feel the need to link to my own stuff, apparently. *Headdesk*
