This is an odd film that fans wish did not have to be made. Serenity (2005) is a continuation of Joss Whedons prematurely cancelled television show, Firefly, and combines two genres known for their epic scales: Science Fiction and the Western. Set in 2600, the heroes of the film, led by Captain Malcolm Mal Reynolds, are failed revolutionaries and misfits of varied skill. Their lives of small-time crime and riding the open range of interstellar space is redirected when the crew picks up Simon and River, brother and sister geniuses on the run from The Alliance. Plucky dialog, energetic practical special effects and a rich historical background builds a compelling film that highlights writer/director Whedons creative strengths. The scale and history of the film is visible in every aspect of the frame and the heroics of Mal and his crew against the authoritarian grasp of the Alliance are characteristic of any classic epic tale. Universal refused to give a typical budget and shooting schedule ($100 million with 80 days), the studio allotted Whedon only $40 million with 50 days to complete his film. Though this tight window of time and money does allow some cracks to show, Serenity is certainly deserving of its status as an epic. Moreover, the unique take on speculative history and Whedon's spin on classic genre tropes and expectations make Serenity not just another standard sci-fi genre-piece.
David Wagner is an author/musician who splits his time between Oakland, CA and Istanbul, Turkey.
David has published two novels, both available on his website, and as a fan of movies, comics, and genre television, he is happy to be working with WhatCulture as a regular contributor.
