Serenity

The writer/director behind legends like Buffy the Vampire slayer and Angel, makes an impressive sci-fi debut with a feature length version of his own critically-acclaimed TV series Firefly which appeared on the Fox TV network for just 11 episodes in autumn 2002. It achieved overnight cult status with fans loving its mix of humour and tension in a sci-fi setting and yet it was pulled from the schedules even before the end of its planned 14 episodes.

For writer/director Whedon, this was a resource not fully exhausted, hence the desire to create Serenity. Its set in a futuristic world where earth’s residents have exhausted resources and set up homes on other planets thanks to terraformas making the climates more habitable for human life. There are no aliens but humanity has divided into extreme groups – a dictatorial ruling Alliance enforcing law and order through force, and an underclass of savages called Reavers into violence, raping and pillaging.

Inbetween, are Captain Mal Reynolds (Fillion) and his crew, running a clapped out spaceship and touring space committing petty crimes to make enough to live on and trying as much as possible to keep away from both the Alliance and the Reavers. Reynolds has a no. 2 Zoe (Torres) a tough mercenary Jayne (Baldwin)a female ‘Scotty’ (Jewel Staite) down in the engine room and along for the ride, are two passengers hunted by the members of the Alliance : a young doctor (Sean Maher) and his unstable free-spirit clairvoyant sister River (Summer Glau) who given her additional martial arts skills, is a wonderful Joss Whedon creation. Creating the tension is the hitman (Chiwetel Ejiofor) on River’s tail who will stop at nothing to get his kill.

On the whole Serenity fairly rocks providing action thrills and spills, giving you enough character depth and using but not overusing special effects. If you’re a sci-fi fan, this film is a must because it does contain some neat ideas and also some surprisingly funny dialogue at times. Its held together mostly around the performances of Nathan Fillion (as the Captain) and Summer Glau (as River), the latter is a great creation especially when she cuts loose to show off her martial arts talents. If you go in with slightly lower expectations (ie. don’t take too much note of the hype now surrounding the film!), you’re unlikely to be disappointed.

Matt Arnoldi