Interesting spin... hadn't thought about it that way. It would explain a couple of things about Book though.

BTW the other thing that just occured to me that was missing from the movie, and central to the theme they used... who were the men w/ the "hands of blue"? They didn't use them at all :(

I guess I should have stated that better. Not so much in popularity, but the style and tone gave me similar feelings to when I first watched Episode IV as a child.

I saw this film at a 4:30 showing yesterday and was really really impressed. I've been drooling over this film since it was first announced (I instantly fell in love with Firefly on the first episode). Unfortunately, I came across a spoiler about Wash's fate early on on the message boards even though I didn't mean to. Fortunately, it was the only thing I knew about what was in the film. And boy was I glad. I turned my mother-in-law on to firefly a couple months ago so I'm trying to make sure she goes, and I'm also telling people at work who might enjoy it. As others have said, it will probably take the dvd sales to tell us whether or not the sequel is greenlit.

I really would love to see this in the theater again but I might not have the chance depending on when Wallace and Gromit hits local theaters.

Michael

Read the 3-Part Comic Series. Explains what happens...

I thought that they did, but only in the capacity of monitoring the situation during the scene where Tam and River were escaping. I will have to look into the comics when I get the chance.

I just rewatched Objects in Space (had to get my theme song fix :D) and there are definately differences but IMHO there are similarities as well. I think GizmoDVD might be on to something. I could easily see where Early was previously an Operative who went over the edge and had to/wanted to go freelance.... assuming the creators thought the 'verse out that far ;)

I fully admit it could just be coincidence as well and I'm reading too much into it though ;) While there is not as strong of a connection as I originally was thinking (one character is not a direct replacement for the other), I stand by my statement that the two characters were cut from the same mold. Whether intentional or not is something for the writers/creators to explain.

Following along Gizmo's train of thought wrt Book though, maybe he was a former Operative who retired/has feelings of remorse so he's trying to attone for his previous life. I don't think he was ever there to capture River but maybe he knew about her and was trying to help. JMO

Haven't seen/heard of the comics (not really my thing...) and I thought that was going to be the case too (wrt the guys monitoring the escape) but IIRC they weren't wearing the blue gloves.

Even with my heightened expectations I loved this film. There was nothing about it that I didn't like. I was a little puzzled about Zoe's lack of emotional reaction to Wash's death - I know, she's stoic, and she made a suicide run at the Reavers at the end in a fit of rage, but after the dust had settled and they were getting ready to lift off, she was back to business as usual. Too soon for that, I thought. But that's really, really nitpicky. I truly enjoyed the movie.

When will the DVD be released? ;)

Definitely lived up to my expectations, which is rarely the case. My wife loved it as well. We went to the late show last night and it was full, but not packed. I just hope we can get at least get one sequel to this just because I think it was so well done and such a fun movie. I would really hate to see the franchise end.

I got impression that these two were either the same guys or the same type of guys who would wear the blue gloves. Maybe the blue gloves come on when they are doing the "cleaning" work?

Wash had to bite it for the simple reason that if he didn't, there would have been less tension going into the final fight. After Wash died, ALL BETS WERE OFF. Anyone could have died in that final fight and I damn sure thought they were going to. I knew Wash was going to die from spoilers, but I still turned to my friend during the final fight and asked, "Is anyone gonna survive this thing?" I was glued to that screen, fearful for the heroes. I don't think I would have been half as worried if Wash lived. Joss ripped expectations away from the audience by killing Wash when and how he did. It only added to the drama of the final act. Does it suck Wash is no longer with us? Sure, but I get why he is gone and he'll be missed.

Yup. Wash's death was simply to slap you in the face and say "NO ONE IS SAFE, START PANICING!" While it was very sad, it was very much needed in the film. Besides that, Joss said that this was his one last stand. there is nothing saying that there will be any other trip through the world of Firefly. So he did what he wanted to do before it was too late.

I thought it was fairly obvious that Book was an operative previously. The mystery surrounding the help from the alliance after seeing his ID card during the series compared to the operative using the hand scanner, he was an excellent shot during Mal's rescue (shooting people in the leg while taking cover isn't easy), Early knowing he wasn't a shephard, and his frequent talk of belief. A "Believer" was always considered very dangerous, and for someone who had a spiritual awakening or something similar, a shephard seems fitting for a new life. He was also pushing Mal into believing in something.

I was really surprised by Wash's death. They lose their wacky comic relief, their pilot, and Zoe's husband. Wash's death takes away a huge part of Zoe's character. I'm not sure what direction they will take Zoe in from this point. Realistically, she's just muscle on the ship who has a war history with Mal. I wouldn't be surprised to see her die in the next movie (if it's made), and I couldn't think of anything that would piss off Mal more than that.

Overall, I was really surprised by how much I loved the movie. It was great.

While it sucked that Wash died, he is the only actor with the 'potential' to do other films, hence making the budget for a sequel a bit bigger. Not that its an excuse, just that he is the only other actor that has done other 'succesful' movies.

As per Zoe's reaction...She was in a war. She saw hundreds, possibly thousands of men and women die. Death is nothing new to her, as was seen when Book died. I just assume she's been through it enough to handle herself...to a certain degree.

This is probably the best movie I have seen in the theater since the first Matrix movie.

Before seeing the film I was trying not to read too much about it but I kinda heard that a character dies. As soon as the first death took place I was so happy to see that my favorite folks were still standing. You can imagine my shock when Wash died. I haven't been that surprised in a long long time. I enjoyed the hell out of the movie even with offing my favorite character.

At the first Can't Stop the Signal screening, the last twenty minutes of the film just had people just flipping the fuck out. Imagine a theater of 300 diehard Browncoats screaming, crying, and gasping to what was occuring on screen. Especially when the first two screenings were a tad bit violenter than the finished product (especially during the fight versus Mal and the Operative, there was a specific shot in which you actually saw the Operative's sword go though Mal's stomach).

I still believe that Joss should've killed off another character or two during the finale, more specifically Simon (one of the verse's most unlikeable main characters).

Someone had left the fact that Shepard died untagged in the previous thread, so I knew he would die, which frankly was okay by me since he was my least favorite character.

But Wash dying was a complete surprise. And in the tunnel, I really did think one or more (or all) of them would be killed before the movie was out. So on that level, well done Joss.

I really liked the movie, a lot! I wouldn't say its the best thing I've seen on the screen this year, but its top 10.

Sometime, the Whedon worshippers can get annoying, but all is forgiven when I hear dialogue as beautiful as "If I'm not back in one hour, you take this ship....and go rescue me!"

Yeah, quite a few scenes were cut/trimmed to make a PG13 film.

"If I'm not back in one hour, you take this ship....and go rescue me!"

You nailed it. One of the best moments in the film, and something only Joss could write.

This film was so good its beyond words. However, I don't know if it will have the same effect on non fans. I love these characters. How many of you knew nothing going in? Did you like it? Love it?

I just got back from seeing this tonight. It is now my favorite movie of the year. Absoultely surpassed my expectations and... damn.... i just don't have the words for how much i loved it. Praying for a sequel or two.

Isn't one of the reavers ships the one who belong to the bounty hunter in "Objects in Space"? :) I mean the one who Mal destroys from the outside turret. Nice touch.

It was a very similar design/model... who knows if it was supposed to be the exact one. It just kind of flies off at the end of the show, presumably in a different direction from Early but nothing is shown either way.

I guess this is the first post from someone who has never seen a single frame of Firefly. Your assesment is right. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be picking up the Firefly set at some point. My wife really enjoyed it as well. The chemistry was excellent, something that is usually lacking in most films. Also the characters were great, some a little underdeveloped for people new to the 'universe,' but done well enough to serve a purpose in the film.

We hadn't seen a movie since War of the Worlds and decided we had to get out to see something this weekend. Well there was not a single film we were interested in. We knew nothing of Serenity other than the trailer (which didn't make it out to look all that interesting), but I had a sliver of interest so we saw it on a whim. Glad we did.

Not sure about the history of the character, but after that scene it definitely heightened the tension in the corridor. Props to Whedon on that, well played.

Maybe it is a lack of knowing the Firefly world, but I thought for sure Mal was going to invite the Operative to join their merry band of misfits. Since he will be an outcast or possibly killed anyway by his superiors.

I've only seen a few episodes of the show, but went to the movie Friday night with a bunch (20+) of mostly huge fans of Firefly from work. I still enjoyed it quite a bit without knowing a whole lot about each of the characters, and Wash's death even surprised the heck out of me as well. Great flick, and i'd love to see more from the universe.

Loved the movie. although i didn't stay past the end credits and i'm told there's something about dinosaurs????