The Bottom Line
Pros
- Imaginative
- Entertaining
- DVD includes feature commentary with writer/director Joss Whedon
Cons
- Occasionally felt like an extended episode of "Firefly" (could be a pro)
Description
- DVD containing movie "Serenity"
- DVD release date: December 20, 2005
- Feature running time: 119 minutes
- MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense violence and action, and some sexual references
- DVD bonus features not rated
- DVD features include deleted scenes and feature commentary with writer/director Joss Whedon
Guide Review - "Serenity" DVD
Joss Whedon's TV series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" ran for several seasons, but his "Firefly" got canceled before it finished even one. "Serenity," which was written and directed by Whedon, is a feature-length sci-fi movie based on "Firefly" with most of the key actors reprising their roles. It's about a ragtag group of rebels who roam around in a beat-up old spaceship named Serenity. When they rescue a psychic from the clutches of the Alliance, they are pursued by the Operative (Chiwetel Ejiofor).
Although I found "Serenity" interesting and imaginative, I thought the movie had some flaws. Of course, science fiction can be a delicate thing. You either buy into the fantasy that the story spins or you don't. Somehow, I wasn't able to completely lose myself in the make-believe of the universe the movie "Serenity" created. Also, sometimes I felt as if I were watching an extended episode of "Firefly." To some ardent "Firefly" fans this might be a plus, but given I was watching a movie and not a TV series, it wasn't a plus for me.
The DVD bonus materials include deleted scenes, outtakes, and a feature commentary with writer/director Joss Whedon. For the casual viewer, the movie is probably worth renting for the entertainment value of the film itself. However, the many fans of "Serenity" and "Firefly" will probably want to buy the DVD so they can watch the film repeatedly, enjoy the special features, and listen to Whedon's feature commentary.
