DVDTalk review of "Serenity"
12-16-05 | 04:20 PM
#26
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by Houstondon
Oh Josh, do you happen to have that link to your review of Firefly handy? As I recall, you weren't too enthusiastic about the series on DVD when it came out but I think it might help a few of the folks here understand your mindset about the series premise better than arguing with them on the forum. 
I had mixed feelings about the show, and still do, but on balance I like it.
12-19-05 | 12:37 PM
#27
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It doesn't look good...
Unfortunately, all of this talk does little good when the creator himself indicates Firefly is finished...
From Entertainment Weekly's News and Notes (December 23, 2005, pg.22):
"Alas, Whedon's fond memories are also tainted by Serenity's status as a franchise nonstarter; despite Universal's best marketing efforts, the film only mustered $25 million. 'In the end, it was what it was: a tough sell,' says Whedon, adding that it appears the Firefly saga has reached its conclusion. He has no regrets-- and he's moving on."
I have to laugh at "Universal's best marketing efforts". The movie was horribly marketed. As a huge fan, I am also terribly disappointed. I knew it looked bleak, but I was *really* hoping for at least one or two 'direct-to-dvd' releases at the very least.
From Entertainment Weekly's News and Notes (December 23, 2005, pg.22):
"Alas, Whedon's fond memories are also tainted by Serenity's status as a franchise nonstarter; despite Universal's best marketing efforts, the film only mustered $25 million. 'In the end, it was what it was: a tough sell,' says Whedon, adding that it appears the Firefly saga has reached its conclusion. He has no regrets-- and he's moving on."
I have to laugh at "Universal's best marketing efforts". The movie was horribly marketed. As a huge fan, I am also terribly disappointed. I knew it looked bleak, but I was *really* hoping for at least one or two 'direct-to-dvd' releases at the very least.
12-19-05 | 04:33 PM
#28
DVD Talk Legend
I'm still honestly surprised it didn't do a little better than it did. I kept thinking of what Lucas said when they told him of SW's first weekend "Scifi always does good the first weekend from all the nerds and geeks, but then it drops off ofter that." I really thought that Serenity had a good enough fanbase that the first weekend would be pretty good, though I of course expected a massive dropoff. I certainly didn't expect anything as idiotic looking as Flightplan to trounce it.
12-20-05 | 07:08 AM
#29
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From: Sin City
I read on a lot of sites this is more for people that`ve seen Firefly. People that have not seen, better don`t see it because they won`t like it and won`t understand it. Is that right??
12-20-05 | 09:13 AM
#30
Did'ya ... read the review? 
Essentially, the film works for both groups. Certainly, you will enjoy the film more if you see the series, simply because you'll know more about the characters and their relationships with one another. But it is not a requirement. The film is structured for the new viewer to have everything he needs to understand the plot and enjoy the film. Sure, 1 out of every 50 new viewers may be confused, but I don't think it's any different from any other science fiction film that requires a little thought.
Firefly is a great series, and you should watch it, but if you choose not to, there's absolutely no reason to avoid Serenity.
das
Originally Posted by me
If you have the time, I'd certainly recommend watching the Firefly television series before viewing this, as it will provide even more depth of understanding into the events that take place, but if you want to just jump in with this film, you will not be confused, and you will not be left behind. It stands just fine on its own, and it stands tall. Whether you choose to watch the series or not, see this movie.
Firefly is a great series, and you should watch it, but if you choose not to, there's absolutely no reason to avoid Serenity.
das
12-20-05 | 09:27 AM
#31
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by das Monkey
Did'ya ... read the review?
12-27-05 | 09:29 AM
#32
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Finally got to see the DVD and all! While it's a wonderful thing to have, the extras seem a little lighter than I was expecting from the review. Not much substance it seemed. But the Fruity Oaty Bar jingle won't get out of my head!! Aaaah!
12-27-05 | 10:02 PM
#33
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Originally Posted by Josh Z
Was it the Western elements? I doubt it. Maybe that affected the TV series, but the movie's ads played down that aspect. People complain that the ads didn't sell the movie well enough, but frankly they weren't any worse than the ads for countless other sci-fi movies that have been more successful.
So what was it?
So what was it?
Why didn't 'Serenity' take off at the box office?
36.5% Poor marketing campaign from Universal.
17.1% Failure of original TV show, 'Firefly,' foretold soft grosses.
15.8% Space Western concept inherently had limited appeal.
11.9% Storyline left the uninitiated and non-fans lost.
10.4% Strange title for an action or sci-fi movie
3.2% The show's fans, the Browncoats, didn't see it enough times.
2,684 users polled. (This poll is now closed.)
36.5% Poor marketing campaign from Universal.
17.1% Failure of original TV show, 'Firefly,' foretold soft grosses.
15.8% Space Western concept inherently had limited appeal.
11.9% Storyline left the uninitiated and non-fans lost.
10.4% Strange title for an action or sci-fi movie
3.2% The show's fans, the Browncoats, didn't see it enough times.
2,684 users polled. (This poll is now closed.)
Enjoyed the review by das, but he didn't make mention of the one the one thing that actually made Serenity such an awesome experience for me: the captioning. All captions are visible in zoom mode on my WS plasma (unlike the captions in say, Batman Begins, which loses the bottom half of text in zoom mode), but most importantly, most of the EXTRAS are captioned.
I usually ignore the extras on DVDs as most are not captioned, but everything from the outtakes to the deleted scenes to Whedon's intro. are captioned. I wouldn't have been able to enjoy any of these otherwise.
Excellent movie, and outstanding effort by the folks who put that DVD together.
12-28-05 | 12:31 AM
#34
• Remember Me? •
The film itself is subtitled in English, Spanish, and French, and to my surprise, most of the bonus features are subtitled as well.
The film itself is subtitled in English, Spanish, and French, and to my surprise, most of the bonus features are subtitled as well.
You guys are 0 for 3 on the whole "reading" thing this week (I assume you mean "subtitles"; my review copy is not captioned). Adam, can we change the automated thread creation to "I briefly glanced at [reviewer]'s review and ..."?
das
12-28-05 | 01:24 AM
#35
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Originally Posted by das Monkey
You guys are 0 for 3 on the whole "reading" thing this week (I assume you mean "subtitles"; my review copy is not captioned). Adam, can we change the automated thread creation to "I briefly glanced at [reviewer]'s review and ..."?
das
12-28-05 | 12:15 PM
#36
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Originally Posted by Joe Molotov
Yes, but you utterly failed to point out that all subtitles would be fully visible on his WS Plasma in Zoom mode. What has happened to the quality control at DVDTalk?
Speaking of "reading": Way to completely miss the point of my post, Joe.
I was simply pointing out additional positive aspects of the film: complete captions in the best viewing mode and captioned extras, aspects oft ignored in most DVD releases (and most reviews, understandably). The quality and comprehensive captioning enhanced my enjoyment of Serenity. Period. Wasn't a knock on das's review at all.
