Susan Hated Literature

Sep 04 2005

Firefly 1.01 - Serenity

Published by Fence under Moving Pictures, TV

Epidode 1.01
This review will contain SPOILERS for this episode.

Nathan Fillion …. Capt. Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds
Gina Torres …. ZoÃ« Warren
Alan Tudyk …. Hoban ‘Wash’ Washburne
Morena Baccarin …. Inara Serra
Adam Baldwin …. Jayne Cobb
Jewel Staite …. Kaylee Frye
Sean Maher …. Dr. Simon Tam
Summer Glau …. River Tam
Ron Glass …. Shepherd Book

We open with war and death, and the fun of shooting a giant gun. And so, in a way, this opening teaser shows exactly what makes Joss Whedon’s writing so great. The humour, believable. real characters, emotion and let’s not forget the explosions, because, they are important you know. But, as well as introducing Mal and Zoe as ex-soldiers, this sequence is all about Mal. We get to see his faith and belief utterly destroyed in a single moment.

Then we move from the explosions of war to the silence of space. Because, despite the laser sounds and exploding spaceships of Star Wars and Trek, in space there is no sound.

And let’s not forget the dinosaurs.
Okay, they may not be real, but come on, who doesn’t love Wash and his little plastic dinosaurs?

I will admit to not liking the theme song at all on my first viewing. But it really has grown on me. Besides, the credit sequence is great, especially the ending with the ship spooking the horses.

As a pilot I think this episode does a wonderful job of introducing not only the characters, but the whole feel and atmosphere of the series. We get to hear people talk over one another, conversations carry on in the background. There are Chinese phrases, western style phrases, Alliance cruisers, cockney thieves and all blended together in an unmistakable style. There really is nothing else like Firefly out there.

The main plot of the pilot episode revolves around getting the job done; in this instance that involves traveling to a moon in order to get paid. Along the way picking up a few passangers, characters whose own storylines grow in importance. We also encounter the Reavers, and learn, through various crew reactions, that they are to be feared more than anything else in the ‘verse.

And then there is the shock of Kaylee’s shooting. An incident that revewals so much about the crew. Zoe remains business-like and calm; Jayne first instinct is violence; and we get the first inklings of exactly how ruthless Simon can be when his sister is threatened. The shooting also gives us the scenes that really made me love this show. Mal telling Simon that Kaylee is dead, the look of horror on Simon’s face, his dash to see the “body” and then discovering that Mal really is a “mean old man” and has lied. Plus the other’s laughing their asses off up in the bridge.

Mal:We’ve done the impossible and that makes us mighty

Mal:We canâ€™t die, Bendis. You know why? Because we are soâ€¦veryâ€¦pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die.ï¿½?

Wash: â€œEverything looks good from hereâ€¦ (beatâ€¦playing with plastic dinosaurs over his console) Yes. Yes, this is a fertile land, and we will thrive.ï¿½?
(as Stegosaurus) â€œWe will rule over all this land, and we will call itâ€¦ â€˜This Landâ€™.ï¿½?
(as T-Rex) â€œI think we should call itâ€¦your grave!ï¿½?
(Stegosaurus) â€œAh, curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!ï¿½?
(T-Rex) â€œHa ha HA! Mine is an evil laughâ€¦now die!ï¿½?

Jayne: â€œTen percent of nuthinâ€™ isâ€¦let me do the math hereâ€¦nuthinâ€™ into nuthinâ€™â€¦carry the nuthinâ€™â€¦ï¿½?

Mal: …I’ve given Jayne here the job of finding out.
Jayne: He was non-specific as to how.
Mal: Now you only gotta scare him.
Jayne: Pain is scary…

Tags: 10 Stars, Adam Baldwin, Alan Tudyk, Firefly, Firefly 1.01, Gina Torres, humour, Jewel Staite, Joss Whedon, Morena Baccarin, Nathan Fillion, Ron Glass, Sean Maher, Serenity, soldier, War

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Aug 25 2005

Serenity

Published by Fence under Moving Pictures

This is the non-spoiler review. Spoiler review is down below. The password is the name of The plantet. If you’ve seen the film you should know what planet I’m talking about. If not, then email me fencesitter at gmail dot com

serenity

Nathan Fillion …. Capt. Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds
Gina Torres …. ZoÃ« Warren
Alan Tudyk …. Hoban ‘Wash’ Washburne
Morena Baccarin …. Inara Serra
Adam Baldwin …. Jayne Cobb
Jewel Staite …. Kaylee Frye
Sean Maher …. Dr. Simon Tam
Summer Glau …. River Tam
Ron Glass …. Shepherd Meria Book

Remember that episode of The Simpsons where the teachers (I think) put on a show, and Bart said that although he “didn’t think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows.”
Well Serenity is the exact opposite of that remark

I went along with a friend who had never seen any of Firefly before, was totally unfamilar with this whole ‘verse, but after the film she’s heading out to buy the dvd.

It’s got everything in it. Crime, violence, death, guns^[1] love, comedy, shocks and surprises, spaceships and a whole lot more.

“Been more’n a year since I had anything twixt my nethers didn’t run on batteries!”

The great thing about Whedon’s work in Firefly and Serenity is that he is prepared to go to some dark places, and there are quite a few in this film. Suffering and death are not absent here. But always he somehow manages to get a laugh out in the middle of those dark moments, and yet without losing the emotional impact of that darkness^[2]

There were a few things that I was a bit “hmmm” over, but they were mainly how the film related to the series, and aren’t major problems anyway. I’ve since read that the storyline in the film was originally going to take two years of Firefly, and however much I adored, loved this film I wish Whedon could’ve had those two years, and then some more.

Linknotes:

although I didn’t spot Vera ↩
memo to self, get new word for dark in this context. ↩

Tags: 10 Stars, Adam Baldwin, Alan Tudyk, crime, excellent film, Gina Torres, Jewel Staite, Joss Whedon, Morena Baccarin, Nathan Fillion, Ron Glass, Sean Maher, Serenity, sff, Summer Glau

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Aug 25 2005

Watch me Soar

Published by Fence under Ramblings

Okay my news; really isn’t all that exciting or nuffin’. I was just lazy and couldn’t be arsed to post anything that made sense yesterday. Mind you, weren’t those butterfly wings pretty?

I applied for a job two weeks ago or so, was by email and I never heard back, not even an “got your email” so wasn’t expecting to hear anything back from them. But Mon^[1] I got a call, library man would like to meet, for a chat.

Now, first off, a chat! I hate when they say stuff like that. Make me wonder is there really a job or are they just talking to people cause legally they have to? But anyways, today I have my chat. Wish me luck.

Still more news, aren’t you lucky
In my current job, I’m moving. To a new, busier library. Which may be good, or may not. We’ll see come the 12th of Sept. Also, I’ve discovered that if I want to stay there for another year I have to reapply when they advertise for new positions. Strikes me as an awkward, annoying way to do business.

I suppose seeing as I am here with random bits of news I could also tell you about the wedding? Last Sat NineMoons‘ sister got married, so I went along. Not to it all mind, just the fun drinking till you fall asleep on a windowsill waiting for a taxi. But the night was fun. There was swing dancing, and candles and grass going on fire. Plus much much more. I’m sure herself will post about it on her own blog once she is through with her exams.

And finally, went to see Serenity last night. It was great. So great.
We - NM, Cavada-girl and I- turned up at the kino to see bouncers on the door to screen 1. How cool is that? Plus they were very nice bouncers, who were there to check that no camera were taken in, only they weren’t certified to actually open bags. Luckily, they were allowed to hold popcorn while I opened my bag for them to look in.

Then, in we went, and sat waiting, hoping the film would be half as good as the series. And what did we spot, only microphones down the front, which prompted much murmuring and discussion of whether or not someone would show up. I didn’t think they would. After all there were a lot of screenings on round the UK as well last night. But the introducer fella told us to make sure and wait until after the credits. That is all the hint he’d give us.

And then it started.

Afterwards we got a questions and answer session with Jewel Staite aka Kaylee, and Sean Maher aka Simon!! Plus Chris Buchanan showed up to make a few comments, and tease us about the DVD.

Only problem, I really really want to go see it again, bu have to wait until Oct 7th