A delightful blend of humour and trauma.
It's hard to know quite what to say. On the one hand, I'm tempted to make comparisons -- the adventure and rebellious nature of the first Star Wars (but with a good script, good acting, good directing, and decades of special effects progress behind it) plus the tension and drama of the first Alien (but with dialog, humour, and complex characters). The people in this movie have depth unlike any science fiction movie I've seen, except maybe Blade Runner.
But comparisons do not do this movie justice. Joss Whedon excels at character and dialog. And, apparently, at plot, pacing, action, and drama. And his direction is intense. And, umm...
Words fail me here. I guess I make a terrible movie reviewer. Where are the details I don't like? The failures of plot or character? I'm sure they are there... this is a human endeavor made by humans (however talented). None of us have achieved perfection.
But I place this movie in my pantheon of great movies. I will own it and display it proudly in my collection.
The next step is for _you_ to beg, borrow, or steal (kidding!) the Firefly DVDs. Watch the show. Revel in the characters. Cry out in despair to discover that Fox (the drooling idiots that they and their viewers are) cancelled it after one season.
And then buy tickets early for Serenity, due out September 30, 2005. I got to see it in a sneak peek. You should have been so lucky!
It's the best movie I've seen in years. Many years.
http://www.serenitymovie.com/
Posted by Edwin at May 27, 2005 07:22 AM