Joss Whedon's Serenity (new thread)
10-13-05 | 11:00 PM
#51
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Originally Posted by whynotsmile
oh bullshit. LIke I said, I haven't seen any of the episodes. They did a very poor job of bringing people who had not seen Firefly before into the story. But whatever. Being confusing to non fans is way down on the list of things wrong with this chud.
Want more proof - there's plenty of others here who didn't like the film for one reason or another, but at least they had some brains behind their arguments to back up their comments - and even if I don't agree with them, I've got a hell of a lot more respect for them.
10-14-05 | 02:53 AM
#52
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Although I didn't really catch their names, two of my favourite characters in Serenity was the highly cultivated, but deadly, Alliance special agent and Malcolm's second in command; a gruff, gun obsessed, blue collar kind of guy who always insists on bringing grenades to every fight.
The other characters I wwas less enthusiastic about were some of the Serenity crew; I really disliked the whiney and grating female engineer, also I didn't think much about that moon faced Alliance "weapon", River. But I sort of liked the Serenity's blonde Russian looking pilot and his sexy girlfriend who is also into guns as well. The only character I'm not totally sure about is the renegade ex-Alliance officer who saved River from an Alliance R&D facility.
The rest of the characters are fine for the most part, although I wanted to see much more of the Alliance, with it's bureaucrats, officers, pilots and soldiers. I felt the Alliance was much more interesting than the somewhat dull goblin like Reavers, they also seemed to be a satirical jab directed at the United Federation of Planets and Startfleet from the Trek franchise.
The other characters I wwas less enthusiastic about were some of the Serenity crew; I really disliked the whiney and grating female engineer, also I didn't think much about that moon faced Alliance "weapon", River. But I sort of liked the Serenity's blonde Russian looking pilot and his sexy girlfriend who is also into guns as well. The only character I'm not totally sure about is the renegade ex-Alliance officer who saved River from an Alliance R&D facility.
The rest of the characters are fine for the most part, although I wanted to see much more of the Alliance, with it's bureaucrats, officers, pilots and soldiers. I felt the Alliance was much more interesting than the somewhat dull goblin like Reavers, they also seemed to be a satirical jab directed at the United Federation of Planets and Startfleet from the Trek franchise.
Last edited by Cancer Man; 10-14-05 at 03:00 AM.
10-14-05 | 03:00 AM
#53
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From: Orlando, FL
Originally Posted by Cancer Man
Although I didn't really catch their names, two of my favourite characters in Serenity was the highly cultivated, but deadly, Alliance special agent and Malcolm's second in command; a gruff, gun obsessed, blue collar kind of guy who always insists on bringing grenades to every fight.
The other characters I wwas less enthusiastic about were some of the Serenity crew; I really disliked the whiney and grating female engineer,
also I didn't think much about that moon faced Alliance "weapon", River.
But I sort of liked the Serenity's blonde Russian looking pilot and his sexy girlfriend who is also into guns as well.
The only character I'm not totally sure about is the renegade ex-Alliance officer who saved River from an Alliance R&D facility.
The rest of the characters are fine for the most part, although I wanted to see much more of the Alliance, with it's bureaucrats, officers, pilots and soldiers. I felt the Alliance was much more interesting than the somewhat dull goblin like Reavers, also they seemed to be a satrical jab by Josh Wheadon at the United Federation of Planets and Startfleet from the Trek franchise.
10-14-05 | 03:41 AM
#54
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The Operative (he had no name) and Jayne. Jayne is not the second in command. That would be Zoe. In fact, Mal would have to be pretty desperate to ever leave Jayne in charge.
Whiny and grating? Kaylee? Not the words I would use to describe her (like cute and funny).
I think we got more inside her head in the series, so I can understand this remark.
Wash, who most definitely isn't Russian, and Zoe, his wife. I wouldn't say she's into guns, but she can use them when the occasion calls for it (being an ex-soldier and all).
Simon, River's brother, who is a doctor who only posed as an officer to rescue his sister.
I wish the world was opened up a little more, too, but I guess Whedon figured he only had so much time and money to tell a story.
I love the episode where River is teasing Jayne about his name.
10-14-05 | 08:48 AM
#58
Adam Baldwin (the guy who plays Jayne) was the big kid in "My Bodyguard."
10-14-05 | 09:10 AM
#59
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Originally Posted by Goldberg74
Adam Baldwin (the guy who plays Jayne) was the big kid in "My Bodyguard."
IMDB listing for Adam Baldwin
10-14-05 | 09:17 AM
#60
• Cancer Man •
I find her a very confusing character that still has a vague origin, but like Kaylee, she was somehow irritating.
I find her a very confusing character that still has a vague origin, but like Kaylee, she was somehow irritating.
• Cancer Man •
Well Wash looked Russian in ethnic origin and I don't think "Wash" is Wash's real name.
Well Wash looked Russian in ethnic origin and I don't think "Wash" is Wash's real name.
das
10-14-05 | 10:15 AM
#61
DVD Talk Godfather
[QUOTE=gfoots]
Why not? My neighbor has a 21 year old daughter who has a 5 year old daughter. They all live together. She is definitely a MILF.
Having never seen Firefly and knowing nothing about Serenity other than the trailer, das' post is spot on. It was not hard to follow at all.
Originally Posted by Cancer Man
Well she was sort of cute in a MILF kind of way, but she still somehow bugged me.
QUOTE]
23 year old milf?
QUOTE]
23 year old milf?
Originally Posted by das Monkey
I'm not going to question the intelligence of someone who found it confusing (we all see things differently), but I do agree with this assessment. Some character relationships are lost, and the introduction of Simon carries a different weight if you already know who he is, but from a plot perspective, it seemed like they set it up pretty easily for some random viewer to get the idea very quickly. I've sent a few friends to it who had never seen the series, and the only questions I got were things like, "So that guy's name is 'Jayne'?" or "Were Mal and Inara married or something?" As far as the plot, though, I haven't heard of any confusion. 
Btw, shameless request for people to vote for Firefly here.
das
Btw, shameless request for people to vote for Firefly here.
das
10-14-05 | 01:53 PM
#62
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Joss' comments on Serenity from the Browncoats message boards:
Sounds like he's accepting there may not be more Serenity. 
Well, at least he got to tell his story, and put something of a cap on it. Than again, who knows what the future may hold.
Hello, young lovers, wherever you are. This is Joss, coming to you live via technology. I thought it would be fair to give you all my little State of the Onion before I descend into the depths of the Warren to pound away at my keyboard, munch lettuce and ignore that annoying nerd Fiver who keeps saying something bad is coming, like he can tell or whatever. I'm excited to beat this Wonder Woman script into shape (and munch lettuce). Mostly, to be honest, I'm excited to (deliberately split infinitive) not be a Professional Serenity Barker. I love you guys, I loves me some Serenity cast, but I am yammered out. By Spain it just got surreal (I think Nathan and Summer will back me on that one). Selling is not my strong suit. Actually, my strong suit is Kevlar, but it bunches in all the wrong places.
So I have read much over the past weeks: we have Won! Lost! Triumphed! Failed! and have, of course, agreed with every single thing I read (one of the exhausting things about having no personality). But in the dark blue of early morning I do have some perspective, and it runs thus:
I'm very content. I think the movie is really good. That was hard to a)do and b) realize. The response has been terrific, the majority of the reviews extremely positive: people GOT IT. What's more, an impressive number of people saw this movie who never would have, and even more still will. This is not spin: I know we didn't do the expected numbers our first weekend, we didn't have an unprecedentedly small drop-off the second (which was my personal fantasy.) I've been to some dark places, just like you guys. But the movie has legs, and people who loved it LOVED it crazy, the way love is supposed to be. Europe has been a nice boost (and a lung-splitting shout out to my UK and Aussie UIPeeps -- they're dears, and efficient as hell). We'll keep soldiering on, until we can't crawl and we find DVD to carry us. I see us kind of like the Shawshank Redemption without all the Oscar nominations (unless Best Feet becomes a catagory). People who were befuddled by the title or lack of premise hook will finally pick it up, and keep picking it up... They may miss out on the big-screen exitement, but they'll see our little tale and take it to their hearts. Takes a while. Just like the show.
I've seen a couple of posts with Browncoats beating themselves up about not having done enough. I never want to hear that again. You guys have gone above and beyond above and beyond. The people who are above and beyond are looking at you guys and going "Man, don't they ever quit?" Your efforts, and your investment (emotional as well as tickety) have done an enormous amount for this film and my battered heart. No more self-flagellation, unless it's the healthy, what-every-young-person-needs-to-learn-about-their-body kind.
And what about Da Fyoocha? (And why did I need Arnold to say that?) I have no idea. It could be that this tale is told. Or it could be that down the line, dollars accumulate and some exec says, "let's spin that wheel again." Or who knows. I'm not resting my hopes on it, but it's not a concept I'll ever close the book on. In case the 30,000 reporters I told didn't get this message out, I love this crew like Nick loves Nora, like Hellboy loves Pancakes, like Bridgitte loves Bernie (and if you're old enough to get that reference, my condolences.)
Thank you all. I'll be in touch again, but I have an Amazon to rassle. Remember that this is not over; every dollar (or Euro) counts, every new convert is a friend for life. But don't fret too much on what's to come. Enjoy the remarkable things we've accomplished. You're Big Damn Fans. Have some lettuce.
All love, Joss.
So I have read much over the past weeks: we have Won! Lost! Triumphed! Failed! and have, of course, agreed with every single thing I read (one of the exhausting things about having no personality). But in the dark blue of early morning I do have some perspective, and it runs thus:
I'm very content. I think the movie is really good. That was hard to a)do and b) realize. The response has been terrific, the majority of the reviews extremely positive: people GOT IT. What's more, an impressive number of people saw this movie who never would have, and even more still will. This is not spin: I know we didn't do the expected numbers our first weekend, we didn't have an unprecedentedly small drop-off the second (which was my personal fantasy.) I've been to some dark places, just like you guys. But the movie has legs, and people who loved it LOVED it crazy, the way love is supposed to be. Europe has been a nice boost (and a lung-splitting shout out to my UK and Aussie UIPeeps -- they're dears, and efficient as hell). We'll keep soldiering on, until we can't crawl and we find DVD to carry us. I see us kind of like the Shawshank Redemption without all the Oscar nominations (unless Best Feet becomes a catagory). People who were befuddled by the title or lack of premise hook will finally pick it up, and keep picking it up... They may miss out on the big-screen exitement, but they'll see our little tale and take it to their hearts. Takes a while. Just like the show.
I've seen a couple of posts with Browncoats beating themselves up about not having done enough. I never want to hear that again. You guys have gone above and beyond above and beyond. The people who are above and beyond are looking at you guys and going "Man, don't they ever quit?" Your efforts, and your investment (emotional as well as tickety) have done an enormous amount for this film and my battered heart. No more self-flagellation, unless it's the healthy, what-every-young-person-needs-to-learn-about-their-body kind.
And what about Da Fyoocha? (And why did I need Arnold to say that?) I have no idea. It could be that this tale is told. Or it could be that down the line, dollars accumulate and some exec says, "let's spin that wheel again." Or who knows. I'm not resting my hopes on it, but it's not a concept I'll ever close the book on. In case the 30,000 reporters I told didn't get this message out, I love this crew like Nick loves Nora, like Hellboy loves Pancakes, like Bridgitte loves Bernie (and if you're old enough to get that reference, my condolences.)
Thank you all. I'll be in touch again, but I have an Amazon to rassle. Remember that this is not over; every dollar (or Euro) counts, every new convert is a friend for life. But don't fret too much on what's to come. Enjoy the remarkable things we've accomplished. You're Big Damn Fans. Have some lettuce.
All love, Joss.
Well, at least he got to tell his story, and put something of a cap on it. Than again, who knows what the future may hold.
Last edited by reverie; 10-14-05 at 01:57 PM.
10-14-05 | 02:54 PM
#63
DVD Talk Godfather
Sounds like a pretty cool guy.
10-14-05 | 03:38 PM
#64
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I wanted to see more of the Alliance! 
I thought their war ship designs were really cool and I loved the Alliance uniforms. I hope in the next movie or television mini-series we will see alot more of the Alliance, with their capital worlds, the Parliment hirearchy and much more of their splendid military.
I did not think much of the Reavers, we now know their origins and I hope we don't see them again.
I thought their war ship designs were really cool and I loved the Alliance uniforms. I hope in the next movie or television mini-series we will see alot more of the Alliance, with their capital worlds, the Parliment hirearchy and much more of their splendid military.
I did not think much of the Reavers, we now know their origins and I hope we don't see them again.
10-14-05 | 05:05 PM
#65
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just came back from a 10:30am showing and i have to say, i was quite impressed. watching cynical characters grow more earnest and purposeful toward thematic elements like truth, love, morality and transcendental humanism were an unexpected aspect to a film like this. unlike most mainstream action pictures, this was a rare bit of mindless entertainment for the thinking man... if there is such a thing.
will have to give the series another shot. i was left unimpressed by the two-part pilot episode.
will have to give the series another shot. i was left unimpressed by the two-part pilot episode.
Last edited by Cygnet74; 10-15-05 at 11:35 AM.
10-14-05 | 08:13 PM
#66
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Originally Posted by Cancer Man
I wanted to see more of the Alliance!
I thought their war ship designs were really cool and I loved the Alliance uniforms. I hope in the next movie or television mini-series we will see alot more of the Alliance, with their capital worlds, the Parliment hirearchy and much more of their splendid military.
I did not think much of the Reavers, we now know their origins and I hope we don't see them again.
I thought their war ship designs were really cool and I loved the Alliance uniforms. I hope in the next movie or television mini-series we will see alot more of the Alliance, with their capital worlds, the Parliment hirearchy and much more of their splendid military.
I did not think much of the Reavers, we now know their origins and I hope we don't see them again.
Actually you don't get to see all that much more of the Alliance in the series, excepting for an episode here or there. You see some ships and soliders occasional, but most of what you do see of that 'life' is in flashbacks. There's only one Ep that features a real 'Core' world, and that would be Ariel. The rest of the series pretty much takes place out on the border planets, as it kind of runs with the theme of the show, in that they are trying to aviod the Alliance.
The thing about the Reavers, is that the movie is the first time we've actually gotten to see them - outside of their ship that is. Prior to that, all we knew of them was from stories, and you got to see their ships once or twice. Dunno, maybe NOT seeing what they looked like was spookier - but either way, I had no problem with them.
If you want more info on the backgound of the Serenity universe, here's a pretty decent site that can fill in the blanks, in case you're not inclined to watch the series. However, I reccomend you do, anyway.
www.browncoats.com
Last edited by Rocketdog2000; 10-14-05 at 08:45 PM.
10-15-05 | 09:59 PM
#67
DVD Talk Hero
I saw this for the 4th time (probably my last theatrical viewing), and I still get moist eyes throughout the 3rd act once
They stay moist even when I'm driving back home. Can't say I've seen many other films that can do that to me everytime I see it.
I give credit to Joss for putting together a film that moves with nary a dull segment, it just rifts through its running time, and there is never a time where you even think about lookin at your watch.
Spoiler:
I give credit to Joss for putting together a film that moves with nary a dull segment, it just rifts through its running time, and there is never a time where you even think about lookin at your watch.
10-15-05 | 10:29 PM
#68
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From: Las Vegas, NV
Originally Posted by Cygnet74
watching cynical characters grow more earnest and purposeful toward thematic elements like truth, love, morality and transcendental humanism were an unexpected aspect to a film like this.
10-16-05 | 02:10 AM
#69
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Originally Posted by scott shelton
Aren't those aspects in EVERY film like this? It's seems a common screenwriting move to make.
Last edited by Cygnet74; 10-16-05 at 02:21 AM.
10-16-05 | 09:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Cygnet74
by no means do i think 'serenity' is above the usual tricks of the storytelling trade. but i do think it's one of few b-grade sci-fi/action movies where the cynicism of the main characters is wiped away in the face of choosing something bigger than themselves. from what i've seen, these types of movies are usually just about destroying a villain in the spirit of self-preservation -- star wars, id4, riddick/pitch black, etc.
And they weren't doing this in SERENITY? It seems, with the exception of PITCH BLACK, that your examples were also about "bigger than themselves" choices.
10-16-05 | 10:51 AM
#71
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Originally Posted by scott shelton
And they weren't doing this in SERENITY? It seems, with the exception of PITCH BLACK, that your examples were also about "bigger than themselves" choices.
with that in mind, this is the difference that I see in the main thrust of the third act plotlines...
star wars -- blow-up the death star before it wipes us out.
ID4 -- blow-up the aliens before they wipe us out.
serenity -- expose a truth, reveal it to the entire system, or die trying.
...that's a small difference, but a difference that appealed to me. the characters in 'serenity' were willing to sacrifice themselves to expose a wrong. whereas in the other films, the main characters were out to preserve their way of life. i thought the former was quite noble for such a cynical band of outlaws and it was enough to have kept my experience in that theater from being a painful one. if there are other viewpoints, than it makes for a good example of just how subjective a viewing experience can be. this perspective i've shared, is mine.
Last edited by Cygnet74; 10-16-05 at 04:24 PM.
10-16-05 | 01:41 PM
#72
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How can some people not understand this film due to not seeing the TV Series? My girlfriend had not watched a television show in 10 years and when we saw a Sneak Peak preview of this back in February she understood it just fine. Since then we have watched all Buffy/Angel/Firefly.
You must have an IQ of a bar of soap not to understand anything going on in this movie.
You must have an IQ of a bar of soap not to understand anything going on in this movie.
10-16-05 | 03:30 PM
#74
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Originally Posted by GizmoDVD
You must have an IQ of a bar of soap not to understand anything going on in this movie.
Without the character backstories established over the course of the series, it is hard to grasp certain relationships and feelings presented throughout the film. The plot isn't the problem, but SERENITY was made for fans, paying off their viewership with character deaths and other assorted treats and shocks that lack profundity to the newbie.
What I should've done when I saw the film was write down my questions, and make a SERENITY test afterwards to present to those that brag that they comprehended every last drop.
I just have so much trouble believing that.
10-16-05 | 04:34 PM
#75
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
whereas in the other films, the main characters were out to preserve their way of life.
watching cynical characters grow more earnest and purposeful toward thematic elements like truth, love, morality and transcendental humanism were an unexpected aspect to a film like this.