GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

How does Serenity compare to FF episodes?

POSTED BY: CANTTAKESKY
UPDATED: Tuesday, May 17, 2005 07:29
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Monday, May 16, 2005 3:39 PM

CANTTAKESKY


For those who have seen the movie, how does Serenity rate next to FF episodes? Visual graphics and special effects aside (I assume they kicked ass compared to those made on a TV budget), how would you rate the story/plot, character development, direction, and dialogue next to your favorite FF episode? Better? Worse? About the same?

Out of Gas, the pilot Serenity, and The Message were the highest rated episodes here on FFF.net. How does the BDM compare to these episodes.?

Can't Take My Gorram Sky

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Monday, May 16, 2005 5:26 PM

LEEH


Quote:

Originally posted by canttakesky:
For those who have seen the movie, how does Serenity rate next to FF episodes? Visual graphics and special effects aside (I assume they kicked ass compared to those made on a TV budget), how would you rate the story/plot, character development, direction, and dialogue next to your favorite FF episode? Better? Worse? About the same?

Out of Gas, the pilot Serenity, and The Message were the highest rated episodes here on FFF.net. How does the BDM compare to these episodes.?

REPLY: spoiler free--

It's as good as the best eps, and makes reference to elements of several eps.

Yes, you're right--the visuals do kick ass.

Character development, which is my personal "thing" as a consumer of narrative, is brilliant--it's what makes this movie (no surprise, given that Joss says all the time that he's all about character). The movie is very much about choices and consequences, and because we have 2 hours instead of one, we get to see that played out more than in any single episode.

The story is tight and very fast-paced. It's not as elegantly structured as "Out of Gas," which is one of the most astonishing pieces of non-linear TV narrative that I've ever seen. Joss can't afford to get that creative in a movie aimed at drawing in a whole new audience. And there are a few plausibility leaks, but plausibility isn't exactly a priority in the Whedon-verse. Still, I was really impressed by how well each scene flowed into the next.

Hard to comment on editing, as the cut was still a little rough.

Direction: really interesting. As an actor's director, Joss rocks--he got amazing performances out of everyone (not that they aren't all amazingly talented folks anyway). A lot of closeup work, the more startling given the big screen environment, but it works. I'd have to see it several times to comment further, as that stuff was low priority next to trying to absorb the plot, dialogue, etc.

Dialogue: Joss. Need I say more?

I hope that answers some of your questions. And that you get to see it soon!



"Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle. . . ."

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Monday, May 16, 2005 5:34 PM

EMBERS


Quote:

Originally posted by canttakesky:
How does the BDM compare to these episodes.?


IMO it is right up there at the top,
it is bigger darker and more violent
(not bloody, but shocking)
still has the humor...
I was enthrawled from the first second until the last...

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Tuesday, May 17, 2005 2:49 AM

OXYOPIA


**Spoiler-Free**

Something I have been telling people who inquire about Serenity is to try not to think of the movie in terms of the TV show. This is sort of a difficult concept to accept, since the movie takes place 6 months after the show 'ends' and does have the same cast of characters. However, Serenity has a very different feel to it than any episode of the series.

Essentially, if you are able to go into the movie without the intention of comparing Serenity to Firefly, you will be blown away. If you spend all your time looking for inconsistencies in characters and continuity errors, you will end up missing one hell of a movie.

With that said, I will do my best to address your questions. Just keep in mind that comparisons between the movie and show, while inevitable, should not be the primary focus of the audience.

The story is much grander than that presented in any episode of the series. It is much further reaching, but still has a great deal of depth.

Character development is somewhat lessened due to the 2 hour constraint imposed on a theatrical release. The viewer sees some changes, but no where near the depth displayed in the 14 hours of the television series.

The direction of the movie is one of the major areas where it distinguishes itself from the series. Joss takes the audience for a real ride and presents a slightly different feel in the movie than he did in the TV show. This is not a bad thing, mind you, just something to keep in mind when you enter the theater.

The dialogue is perfect. Very Firefly and very very good. I think we get to actually hear a swear or two in English, so that alone is one difference.

All in all, Serenity (the movie) ranks far beyond any episode of Firefly I have seen. Joss manages to re-invent his 'verse in big screen format in a manner that both parallels the show and far exceeds anything presented to date.

-Oxy



------------------------------------------------

'What people call impossible is just stuff they
haven't seen yet...'

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Tuesday, May 17, 2005 5:57 AM

SLAYTHIS


You say visual effects aside, but it is important to note how they impact the film. One thing that I loved about the movie is that Serenity itself (the ship, not the film) seemed to have far more personality than she did in the show. The notion that the ship is sort of a 10th character is truly strengthened in this movie.

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Tuesday, May 17, 2005 7:29 AM

FORRESTWOLF


I for one went into the movie with a LOT of trepidation about how Joss could compress what he'd probably like to cover over the course of several episodes into a movie.

But when Serenity first showed up, and I saw our BDH's walking the halls, it felt just like I was seeing an episode again. And it's been so LONG since we've seen a new episode - had me quite choked up.

I must respectfully disagree with the notion that it's THAT different from an episode - it felt JUST like Firefly SHOULD feel. Big screen, sure - big storyline, big special effects, all that - but somehow Joss made it feel like our little Serenity, and our little show.

Lest that make you think the movie's not going to draw in non-fans, don't worry - it still somehow seemed like a MOVIE, too. What can I say? Trust in the Joss - he can do all of this and more.

Okay, on to specific ratings (keep in mind, MY favorite ep is the unlikely Shindig!):
1) Story/plot - as good as Shindig, or any other ep, probably. Bigger, of course - it's a movie. But still felt like a Firefly plotline.
2) Characters - I guess this is where you can't shove a season into a movie, but Joss sure did an incredible job anyway. Compared to individual episodes, character development was much more.
3) Direction - you mean directing? Wonderful. Each little nuance and scene clearly had so much thought and time put into it.
4) Dialogue - so much clever Whedonesque dialogue - don't worry. Better than Shindig for dialogue, and that's saying a lot.

Again, lest I sound like a starry-eyed, fan (okay, I am), I went into this SERIOUSLY worried. I came out quite rather confident the movie will do very, very well - and make Firefly fans quite satisfied (and ready for more!).

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