I have not seen the Firefly series and was a complete newbie to the Serenity experience. Granted I had read about the show and did catch one episode, bleary eyed, late one night. That didn't prepare me for the rich layers and characterisations that filled the tapestry of this film. Simply put... I loved it. It had me and my 16 yr old daughter enthralled within the first 3 minutes of the film. We squealed, cried, laughed, gasped and sat on the edge of our seats during the entire movie. And let's face it; there was a LOT of story. Enough for me to know that I wasn't quite grasping everything that was going on and that I most definitely wanted to go get the DVD's to catch up. I'm most sure a lot of the movie just slipped right past me without my understanding it....however that being said, it was still an entirely enjoyable film. The version I saw was an unfinished test screening in Sydney last May. So not all of the VFX were finished. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product. The dialogue was sharp, to the point and very funny at times. If only Lucas had hired Joss Whedon to right his dialogue, I'm sure the SW movies would have been so much better.
It isn't really like any other science fiction-space genre movie that I've seen before. So it's hard to draw comparisons, I could see a little Titan A.E in it (ironically another Whedon scripted movie) and I was reminded at times of the old UK sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf. It really enjoyed Whedon's view of popular culture in the future. The mixing of languages and cultures ran nicely for me, as opposed to the usual 'space is the new USA' feel that most of these movies feed us... I loved the old western feel of the movie also, the whole civilisations being forged out on different planets.
Most of all....Thank You Mr Whedon for reminding us that there IS no sound in space!

Go see Serenity. It's not a new religion; it's a movie....and a very enjoyable ride at that.

Luv’s nix

Thank you for that lovely and spoiler-free review, nix. I'm avoiding being spoiled on this movie and I can hardly contain my excitement. Can't wait to hear what you think of the series!

p.s. I do love those silent space sequences, too, and I'm so glad he kept that up; besides being accurate, it gives such a great haunting vibe to the vastness and solitude of space.

I can't wait.
I'm a huge Firefly fan since a work friend of mine lent me the box set. After three days I had watched it twice and bought my own, which I just leant to an old school chum, who know loves Firefly too.
Also, I want to marry Kaylee.

Great review nixy, and as thirtyhelens said, wonderfully spoiler free! I'm dying of excitement to see it!

Thanx guys!
Man I am just going off!!! I'm on episode 7 of the series and am LOVING it!!!!!
It's so damn good....and I can just watch it now and nod my head to so soooo many things in the movie. All the pieces clicking into place.
I'm really happy to be watching it, but also incredibly bummed to know that I have only 7 eps to go. I'm happy about the movie and all, and that there maybe 2 sequels, but oh man....we could have had years of this show!
sob....

I want to marry Kaylee too, and Mal, actually every single character I have fallen in love with.
Which is odd as I am a straight female. Mind you, send Inara to me on a late lonely night and we won't have to tell anyone of what transpires. Heh heh.
luvs nix

I'll be in my bunk...............

Great review, I went to the London and Edinburgh premiers and it was fantastic to see the film with a packed house. I haven't been to the cinema for a while where you can hear laughs and gasps every other second.

I've seen it more times than i dare disclose now. I had to - i had the back story seeing Firefly and needed to see things with all the info at hand.

Fried Gold!

Sefi x

lol. Shiny!

Oh how i hate fox for cancelling the show! First futurama then firefly!

Hoping for a squeal or second series!