Fans of the short-lived FOX television series “Firefly” campaigned for a movie version, arguing that 14 episodes just weren’t enough to tell the story right. Serenity may just disprove that theory. Creator and cult icon Joss Whedon (creator of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Angel”) supposedly had creative free reign over this project as writer and director, so why he betrayed the integrity of his story is a mystery. A sci-fi western, “Firefly” leaned a little on the western side, one of its winning, unique points. But it seems Whedon has tired of the western genre, and chosen a strictly science-fiction plot for Serenity. It’s unfortunate that he couldn’t save it for another project and do the wild west tale a little justice.
In “Firefly,” nine crew members of the spaceship Serenity all struggled to find a place for themselves in the universe. There’s the unrefined mechanic who crushes on the high-born doctor; the dim-witted mercenary who bonds with the troubled man of god; the tough warrior married to the mild-mannered pilot; and the alluring courtesan in love with the emotionally cut-off captain. But all of these dynamic, interesting relationships are more or less ignored in the film.
The character at the forefront of the story is River Tam (Summer Glau), a young genius turned psychic and a weapon of the inter-planetary government, whom Capt. Malcolm Reynolds (Nathan Fillon), who is less likeable and effectual than most lead characters, is sheltering on his ship. She is interesting enough, but the film’s treatment of her remains superficial. She’s been conditioned as an assassin, and at one point Mal questions whether she is a “person or a weapon,” but the film leaves this question hanging.
Like any good western, “Firefly” dealt with morality – the notion that when you live beyond the reach of the law, you have to decide for yourself what’s right. Serenity focuses more on concepts than individuals, however. It turns the frontier into a dystopia, examining the horror of government failure and its consequences on a large scale.
Serenity does do a couple of things right. The dialogue is appropriately punchy and smart. The set, identical to the TV version, works beautifully outside of the confines of the TV standard. Direction is nice and the CGI is impressive, but the characters falls flat.
Those who have never seen the show may be a bit confused, but won’t necessarily detest Serenity, though they may want to rent the DVDs. Mindless Whedonites, who believe the man to be God Almighty, will find no fault. But even devoted lovers of the character-centered drama must prepare themselves for disappointment. m
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