You can't take the sky from me...

For those of you, unfamiliar with the science fiction world, I sympathize with you. I too am one who couldn't care less about the Friday night line-up on the Sci-Fi Channel, or even whether or not Han shot first...This world is visited by myself once in a great while, simply because the lack of great sci-fi has been a problem since Return of the Jedi opened in 1983. Not since Lucas's grand and marvelous trilogy has sci-fi varied much from what Star Wars managed to create, and, as we all know, copy-cats are usually terrible. While the prequels to Lucas' trilogy have made more money at the box office than some of them deserve, they have been the best that sci-fi's had to offer, in terms of brave new worlds, and universes not quite like our own.
Twenty-two long years after Lucas closed up his original trilogy, we are given something that truly stands out above the rest. If there was ever a film that managed to capture that glory and awe that drove so many people to the theaters in 1977, this one's it. This one that I speak of is of course that of Serenity.
I'm guessing that the majority of you have neither heard of Serenity nor care to experience it due to what some percieved to be "Catwoman meets Spaceballs." While this comparision continues to perplex me greatly, I do not blame you for your inquisitve looks. This film was poorly advertised. Here's why:
Back in 2002, Joss Whedon, famed genre writer of such TV shows as "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel" created what he hoped would be a western in space. While this idea wasn't all that original (Gene Roddenberry apparently pitched the original "Star Trek" as "Stagecoach in Space"), Joss intended to take that moniker a little bit more literally. He fashioned his world around the crew of a beat-up space freighter called Serenity, after the end of a great civil war between the great Alliance, and the Independents. This war, similar to that of our own Civil War was won by the Alliance, a parliamentary government that ruled the inner planets of a new-found solar system that humans have come to habitat, leaving the Independents (or "Browncoats") to occupy the outer planets, under the heavy and totalitarian rule of the Alliance. The ships crew was made up of 6 crew members: Captain Malcom "Mal" Reynolds, the leader of the crew, Zoe Washburn, the right-hand "wo"man of Mal, her husband, Hoban "Wash" Washburn, the ships pilot, the ships mechanic Kaylee, and the ships mercenary Jayne as well as 3 passengers: Shepard Book, a preacher of the Christian faith, Simon Tam, a doctor, his sister River Tam, a mysterious girl recently freed from "The Academy", a treacherous Alliance facility, and Inara, a "companion" (aka prostitute) and ambassador, who shuttles about the solar system, serviceing clients, and getting paid...And thus, "Firefly" was born.
Each person on the ship offers a unique perspective to the many situations that arise. The show was humorous and exciting, with great stories, but the stars of the show were the stars of the show; the great characterizations created by Whedon helped make each episode worth it, despite some stale storylines. The show managed to grab a small but loyal fanbase during its intial run on Fox, but Fox had little faith in it from the beginning. Firstly, they refused to air the two-hour pilot episode as the show's first episode, forcing Joss and Co. to create a secondary pilot, less rich in characterizations, and more on the action packed side (Fox was hot off the success of "24", and was seeking more of the same). Secondly, they aired the episodes shot out of order, for reasons that are still unknown to many. Thirdly, the shows were constantly being pre-empted due to baseball games, thus placing them in the wee hours of the night, or not at all. But still, despite this, critics and fans grew to love the show.
"Firefly" was canceled, 11 episodes into its run, with three unaired episodes plus the two-hour pilot still waiting to be seen. Joss grew upset, only because he'd never felt so close to a project, nor had he ever seen something come together and work so well in such a short period of time. He shopped the show around, being rejected by all, including the Sci-Fi Channel. But Joss wouldn't let go. The show was eventually released on DVD, and became an instant hit. Fans bought it for themselves, and for their friends and family. The DVDs managed to sell over 500,000 copies (and rising, to this day), something unheard of for a show of such humble origins. An exec at Universal took notice of the rabid fanbase. Herself, a fan of the show, took to show to her superiors, and thus, Serenity was born. Joss had his story back on track.
Production on the film went fine, and everything was going according to schedule, until the execs at Universal realized that the original April release date was too crowded, and that Serenity needed space to gain momentum. So, with the film mostly complete, Universal decided to try something different: They began advertising for preview screenings on fansites, in about 10 US cities. Within hours of this announcement, the screenings were sold-out. Fans gathered, and praised an unfinished version of the film. Again, Universal did another set of screenings, this time in more theaters...Again, it was a hit, selling out in minutes. Universal used this to their advantage. The trailers featured talk of a huge fanbase, of tons of buzz and barely even mentioned the plotline. The film was difficult to sell, granted, but even so...The ambiguous nature left many confused and uninterested...
Well, it's been 3 weeks now since Serenity was let loose on the public, and the reception has been mild at best. The film to this date has only managed to make $22 million. But, the point of my post is that this number should be higher. If all of you knew and understood how amazing and exciting Serenity is, you'd be out seeing it right now. You don't need to have seen even one episode of "Firefly" to appreciate the film. All the neccessary information is there for the taking. Serenity is an action movie at heart, with some great action scenes, loaded with humor, and with plenty of heart. I won't reveal the plot, simply because not knowing it will only make the experience more enjoyable. I promise you a rollicking good time. It's not anything like Spaceballs nor is it anywhere near Catwoman. The universe created is one that is unique yet familiar (no aliens in this one), and the characters are just so rich and deep, its very difficult not to love them.
Hear me out people. I wouldn't recommend you go and see crap. This one truly is special. If sci-fi's not your thing, oh well...This one may change your mind. If you're a die-hard sci-fi nut, yet think Serenity looks like a cheap imitation of "Cowboy Bebop" and Wing Commander, then you are so wrong.
The film is rapidly leaving theaters, and will lose even more next weekend (Oct. 21st), due to a crowded weekend. But, the DVD will be out soon (Dec. 2oth), and catching it there is just as awesome as catching it now. See it, enjoy it, and pass it on to a friend. This film needs to be seen! Usually we dread the thought of a sequel, but if this one makes enough, then a sequel we will get, and all those who've seen Serenity agree, this one begs for a sequel, and in only the best ways possible.
"Firefly" is the only sci-fi TV show I've ever loved. Serenity is the only film I've ever gotten behind to rally and convince people to go and see it. I had a marvelous time at each of the three times I saw it, and I know you will too. To paraphrase a friend, its magical movie experience. See it now, soon, or later, but see it nonetheless...

ciao
parker