GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

What is this shit?

POSTED BY: SUCCATASH
UPDATED: Thursday, December 18, 2003 05:16
SHORT URL:
VIEWED: 3630
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Monday, December 15, 2003 3:49 PM

SUCCATASH


I stumbled across another bad Firefly review on DVDFILE.COM. I am so stunned that smart people can watch Firefly and still not get it.

http://www.dvdfile.com/software/review/dvd-video_7/firefly.html

Reviewed by Joshua Zyber on December 8, 2003.

A mish-mash of the science fiction and Western genres, Firefly was overwritten, traded on cheesy clichés from both genres, and featured a lousy theme song (written by Whedon himself). The basic concept, that of old fashioned Western outlaws carousing through outer space, was neither as strong nor as original as its creators seemed to think. Back in the ‘80s practically every third after-school cartoon show (Bravestarr, Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers, etc.) played with much the same mix of genres, not to mention a number of popular Japanese animated programs like Cowboy Bebop or Trigun. The debt to Star Wars is also quite significant, especially in the Han Solo-type scoundrel that captained the rag-tag band of rebels constantly on the run from Alliance (read: Imperial) authorities. The show's lead actor, cast no doubt based on his resemblance to Dirk Benedict of Battlestar Galactica, often sounded unconvincing when trying to deliver the homespun dialogue, and although the production values were fairly high for a television series, they relied too heavily on fuzzy low-resolution CGI special effects. Further, and this is perhaps the source of most of my bitterness, Whedon's participation in the show distracted his attention away from both of his other running series, each of which greatly suffered in quality that year as a result of his absence. I realize this last one is probably not a fair criticism, but I can't help feeling that it is true.


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Monday, December 15, 2003 4:07 PM

SHEWHOHATHAPEN


Quote:

Further, and this is perhaps the source of most of my bitterness, Whedon's participation in the show distracted his attention away from both of his other running series, each of which greatly suffered in quality that year as a result of his absence. I realize this last one is probably not a fair criticism, but I can't help feeling that it is true.


And this statement makes me disregard his entire review. He actually admits to the exact same sentiment that so many BtVS and Ats fans had. Fans who had never even watched the show. And if they did watch the show they were already so deadset on hating it that there wasn't much chance they'd have any other reaction.

---
"I'm very sorry if she tipped off anyone about your cunningly concealed herd of cows."

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Monday, December 15, 2003 6:21 PM

ZAPHODB


You know I read the entire review and it's not as harsh as it seems. For example:

So now this incomplete series has been given a Complete Series DVD box set in the hope of finding some re-evaluation and a new audience through home video. I guess I'm a convert, having enjoyed watching the whole series through and now appreciating the chance to own it for posterity, even though I still don't particularly miss it from the weekly television schedule. Is Firefly the misunderstood work of genius some of its most ardent fans might insist? Probably not, but it is entertaining and holds up better than I expected. If Joss Whedon gets his chance to complete the story as a feature film, as he's expressed interest in doing, I'm sure I'd go to see it. In the meantime, owning these DVDs will have to do.

And this:

Sales of this set are likely to be used to determine whether Fox gives Joss Whedon the chance to finish off the story in a feature film as he'd like. The show was more enjoyable the second time around than I expected and the DVD set has nice picture quality with several good commentaries and a handful of other decent bonus features. I might have liked to see the supplements go into more detail and analysis of why the show failed, but it seems like everyone was on their best behavior trying to make nice with the studio, which is perhaps a little frustrating if understandable.
Was Firefly cut short unfairly, or put out of its misery just in time? With this Complete Series box set, now you can have the chance to judge for yourself. "Grrrrrr... Arrgghhh..."


It doesn't start off well, but it does get better.

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Tuesday, December 16, 2003 1:09 AM

DRAKON


Quote:

Originally posted by Succatash:
I am so stunned that smart people can watch Firefly and still not get it.



I think I get it.

Quote:


Further, and this is perhaps the source of most of my bitterness, Whedon's participation in the show distracted his attention away from both of his other running series, each of which greatly suffered in quality that year as a result of his absence. I realize this last one is probably not a fair criticism, but I can't help feeling that it is true.



This is it in a nutshell. He's pissed because Joss following Joss's dream left Joss's other works to suffer. He like Buffy and Angel, and felt because Joss did Firefly, Buffy and Angel suffered. To hell with what Joss wants, this viewer did not like Firefly because it affected Buffy and Angel

"Wash, where is my damn spaceship?"

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Tuesday, December 16, 2003 3:41 AM

SERGEANTX


I posted this over at the OB about a different review, but it seems to apply. Yeah, I'm quoting myself - sue me. This just sums up how I've come to see some of these negative reviews:

I find it ironic how many of the negative reviews (not that there are many) come from people who obviously see themselves as intellectual. I'm not sure what to make of it.
One thing I've noticed, its just so much easier for a reviewer, or anyone for that matter, to seem smart and discerning by cutting stuff down than by praising it. A reviewer's reputation is very important and none of them want to get labeled as a cheerleader for the bulk of the crap that comes out of Hollywood.

It also must be very easy for a reviewer responsible for watching and writing about hundreds of programs or movies each year to become numb to the more subtle aspects of something like Firefly. I mean, how many of us didn't really warm up to the show after until three or four episodes? Reviewers just don't have that kind of time, or at least aren't willing to take that much time for what will odds-wise probably just be another lame TV show.

Or... Maybe they just don't get it. Firefly deals with strong character archetypes that are bound to rub some people the wrong way. It seems to me that Firefly has enough different kinds of characters, and that the characters are drawn with enough depth, to please just about every type of person out there but I don't suppose that's a given. Also, Firefly doesn't make apologies for its idiosyncrasies. A lot of people are turned off by the Southern/Western style dialect and don't take the time to understand that this is a created language - a stylized dialog that has more in common with Shakespeare than "The Beverly Hillbillies". A lot of them aren't ready for the way Firefly tweaks expectations at every turn. It makes them feel uneasy and apparently, in some cases, annoyed. In short, politicians, advertisers, and for the most part TV producers work very hard to make sure that all the rough edges are ground off so as few people as possible are offended. Firefly sharpens those edges and takes delight in them. It makes no apologies and assumes an attentiveness, and patience, that not every viewer will be willing to invest.


SergeantX

"..and here's to all the dreamers, may our open hearts find rest." -- Nanci Griffith

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Tuesday, December 16, 2003 3:51 AM

STILLSHINY


Yes, I agree that reviewer sucks. Whoops freudean slip! To quote another great sci-fi character, "You're a sad strange little man"

You think I look good now, wait till you see me in my new "Browncoat T-shirt"

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Tuesday, December 16, 2003 7:20 AM

JAYNESGIRLFRIEND


Quote:

Sales of this set are likely to be used to determine whether Fox gives Joss Whedon the chance to finish off the story in a feature film as he'd like.

So he doesn't know that FOX won't be making that decision. Which leads me to...

Quote:

I might have liked to see the supplements go into more detail and analysis of why the show failed, but it seems like everyone was on their best behavior trying to make nice with the studio, which is perhaps a little frustrating if understandable.


In both the supplements and subsequent interviews everyone involved has put the blame for the shows demise exactly where it belongs, square on the shoulders of FOX, without being insulting about it. Its called diplomacy, dude, and its more than understandable, its downright commendable. Which makes me wonder how many of the commentaries he checked out while prepping for this review.

Or is it a she? Cause I'm too lazy to check out the whole review which puts my credibility for questioning his/her credibility in question. Garcon, more coffee. Way too half awake over here.


"I was gonna get me an ear, too." - Jayne

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Tuesday, December 16, 2003 10:07 AM

SERGEANTX


Here's a kick ass review of the DVD's just to cleanse your palette.

http://www.eclipsemagazine.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=834&pa
ge=0


SergeantX

"..and here's to all the dreamers, may our open hearts find rest." -- Nanci Griffith

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Tuesday, December 16, 2003 11:58 AM

ANGELDOVE


Here is a link to another positive review, I don't agree with every aspect of it, none the less it is nice to see reviewers taking the time to really check out the DVD set, this reviewer obviously did more than look at the cover art, check it out:

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/click/movie-1126258/reviews.php?critic=a
ll&sortby=default&page=1&rid=1227547





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Wednesday, December 17, 2003 10:37 PM

SERENITYSSON


All I can think of after reading an inane review of our beloved paragon of Sci-Fi shows is ...

" Well, isn't that... Special "

Also... I can kill you with my brain...

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Thursday, December 18, 2003 5:16 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave


Quote:

Originally posted by Succatash:
The show's lead actor, cast no doubt based on his resemblance to Dirk Benedict of Battlestar Galactica, often sounded unconvincing when trying to deliver the homespun dialogue, and although the production values were fairly high for a television series, they relied too heavily on fuzzy low-resolution CGI special effects. Further, and this is perhaps the source of most of my bitterness, Whedon's participation in the show distracted his attention away from both of his other running series, each of which greatly suffered in quality that year as a result of his absence. I realize this last one is probably not a fair criticism, but I can't help feeling that it is true.



Okay, on the upside, it seems like this yokel actually saw the show, but if he were a true Buffy/Angel fan, he would support JW in ANYTHING, knowing the level of quality programming that can be produced by such a creative soul.

You know what? Joshua Zyber can bite me. Hey! Who's going to tell him that fox isn't producing the movie?

Firefly Artwork Series
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

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