SERENITY (Pax Virus, Savage Reavers, and Galactic Insurrection) EXPLAINED
Ойын-сауық
In the cosmic web of 2005's "Serenity," director Joss Whedon weaved a thrilling space Western and a seamless continuation of his cult-hit TV series, "Firefly." The ensemble cast, featuring Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, Adam Baldwin, Gina Torres, Summer Glau, Morena Baccarin, Jewel Staite, Ron Glass, and Sean Maher, reprise their roles from the show, transporting us back to the year 2517.
Here, we rendezvous with the crew of the eponymous "Firefly-class" spaceship Serenity, a motley crew of smugglers and veterans of the Unification War. Led by their captain, a rebel from the defeated independent side, their lives of cargo-running and skirting the law took a dramatic turn with the arrival of a psychic passenger with a perilous secret.
Whedon's feature-film directorial-debut is a resurrection of his 2002 television brainchild, with the plot picking up the threads from "Firefly's" finale, thrusting the Serenity crew back into the jaws of danger. The Alliance, a formidable central government, dispatches a relentless assassin to capture River Tam, the enigmatic and valuable passenger aboard Serenity. And for over a year, our heroes have been eluding capture, but this latest chase ups the ante. With a relentless killer on their tail, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor called the operative, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake, the stakes begin to soar.
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You can really tell that the movie was a labor of love from the entire team.
The movie was good, but the series ended way too soon .😢
@harmonetheanimationaddict4419
4 ай бұрын
I believe that’s why the movie was made.
@cameronhermann9400
4 ай бұрын
Agreed
@Linus8472
4 ай бұрын
Wasn't the first. Almost Human suffered the same fate. 😢😢
@andrewgranger3370
4 ай бұрын
Fox has killed many a good series.
@harmonetheanimationaddict4419
4 ай бұрын
@@andrewgranger3370 Yeah, I hear they’re pretty infamous for that.
It was a small detail in the film but it blew me away. When the operative is researching the crew there are files that detail Mal's military records. The Alliance never underestimated the Brown Coats and crushed them with methodical overwhelming force. The Alliance made good villains, arrogant but not stupid
@zionleach3001
4 ай бұрын
Before the movie they just seemed like a neutral government. Too much surveillance and favoring some people to others. But they weren't exactly the Empire.
@Gouranga56
4 ай бұрын
Yeah the Alliances sin is Pride for sure. The only reason they lost in the movie, was pride. Even the assassin. He simply did not believe Mal and crew could do anything to harm them.
@Raison_d-etre
17 күн бұрын
@@Gouranga56 Yeah, no. They committed far worse crimes than pride.
Honestly it's sad the series didn't last as long as it did and it's great that the movie rekindles the love the series brings.
@TheOnlyElle.
4 ай бұрын
Completely agree!! Firefly is an adorable Classic and the cast are Perfect!! I must say, Serenity was fantastic too.. again, Amazing Cast.. What a Show!! 💜
@whyjnot420
4 ай бұрын
Firefly is my goto example when I tell people that it is good some things end quicker than you might have otherwise liked. I have asked myself "would I have loved Firefly as much as I did if it was 3 seasons long?" My answer is "I'm not sure, but it is very possible that I would not have." Would I love to have had more Firefly? Yes, very much yes. But I love the show so much, I cannot help but think that a large part of why I love the show so much is because it ended when it did. One of the things about ending too soon is that it leaves you craving more. But when something lasts a little too long, then you are left with that empty boredom that comes with things that do that. When faced with a choice between those two, I will take the former. A great easy to digest example of this are far too many songs that are 1-2 min longer than they should be. Final thought: Years back I asked my father what precise things he did not like about Guns N Roses (several decades back tbh). Now, he isn't really a hard rock fan but does enjoy a little of it and loves music in general enough to give honest and precise answers. The first thing he said was "They don't know when to end a song. Some of their stuff would be ok if it ended 2 minutes earlier." I honestly had to agree with him, even though back then (this was maybe 1994 or so) I was a big fan. This general thought about what the proper length of any given thing should be, based on that things own merits or lack thereof, has stayed with me over the decades and is one of the basic things I think about when rating a book, movie, song, show whatever.
@Syncrotron9001
4 ай бұрын
It was cancelled because of "The Pax" Compare the fictional 'G-23 Paxilon Hydrochlorate' to the real life 'Paroxetine Hydrochloride' which spawned a billion dollar lawsuit.
@Syncrotron9001
4 ай бұрын
G-23 = GSK "WASHINGTON (Reuters) - GlaxoSmithKline Plc agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanor criminal charges and pay $3 billion to settle what government officials on Monday described as the largest case of healthcare fraud in U.S. history.Jul 2, 2012"
@callmesenpaidesu1506
3 ай бұрын
NOWS THE TIME DISNEY OWNS FIREFLY
2005. Wow. Almost 20 years past. Still not forgotten.
This entire universe had so much potential. I loved the series and the film. And I still do. It´s a damn shame they never did more with this cast and story.
@w415800
4 ай бұрын
The biggest problem with the series is that there are way too many habitable worlds within one star system.
@bakmata6795
4 ай бұрын
@@w415800the biggest problem was Fox. Now the biggest problem is that Josh moved on.
@Syncrotron9001
4 ай бұрын
@@bakmata6795 The writers drew the ire of GSK in the background by outing the dangers of real life "PAX" Paxil 'Paroxetine HCL CR'
@mikesaler1038
2 ай бұрын
@@Syncrotron9001Who is GSK?
When a show/movie that amounts to 2 "seasons" worth of time with this world and characters can devestate you in ways that I still feel today, you know its gold. Every time I see Tudyk in something, my mind always plays the "I'm a leaf on the wind".
Thank God for this movie. Firefly is so underrated, and it's great to see its conclusion.
@Raison_d-etre
17 күн бұрын
Thank the actors.
This series is in my top 5 TV shows, thanks for nostalgia trip Niyat 😭
@filmcomicsexplained
4 ай бұрын
Same here Imassiah!
@operationangel7940
4 ай бұрын
Loved this series and still have the Blu Ray DVD of both Serenity and Firefly. A coworker of mine always geeks out with me over Firely and the Expanse. Also, the fan theories are awesome. During a Firefly anniversary special years back Joss revealed that Inara left Serenity because she was dying. However that had to be retconned in the film. I also subscribe to the fan theory that our favorite Shepherd was actually an Operative for the Alliance before becoming a preacher. Though he left on good terms with the Alliance (if you believe the theory as evidenced in the TV show and movie) he most likely had a crisis of faith which drove him to forging his own path.
Forever scarred by Sarah Paulson’s big screen debut… that scene where she’s explaining what happened on maranda robbed me of sleep for years haha
I always took Doc's relationship with Kaylee finally happening as an indication that he is finally accepting the truth of what his life now is with the crew. In the series, you him not fully understanding the long-term consequences of his choice to save his sister. He understood on a surface level, but he didn't really understand the depth of that choice. When he finally hooks up with Kaylee, he is accepting the simpler, more rustic life of his circumstances and those around him in a way he didn't before.
@eastlynburkholder3559
17 күн бұрын
No way back to his old life. Even if they would have him back into that life, Simon is that guy anymore. It isn't just rural vs urban but that Simon no longer has that level of trust to keep in step and go along.
@VTdarkangel
17 күн бұрын
@@eastlynburkholder3559 That level of distrust is a more rural attitude than you realize. Independence and self-sufficiency are a big part of rural life. The mindset that thrives there also has a higher level of suspicion of large bureaucracies and institutions. There is more trust in the people around you and your relationship with them than some distant institution whom you don't know and have good reason to doubt its benevolence.
Such a good movie and a great TV series! We will never forget FIREFLY
The humour still makes me smile. Theoretically speaking, this movie and series are ready to watch even when I'm stuck in a train for example....
The Operative was such a great enemy. Appreciate that he wasn't one dimensional and dispatched at the end. Always got the sense Shepard was an operative and had his own change of heart like we see in this film.
@robertdavis8969
4 ай бұрын
In the novel, the Operative saw Book and recognized him. Haven was also a place where some of the surviving Browncoats called home. The Operative made a comment about Book being there, so I wonder if it was Book who called in the backup on Serenity Valley. (We saw in Serenity how much power the Operative had to call in that many ships.) That would explain why he never wanted to tell Mal the full story. Might have also been the reason why Book lost faith in the Alliance as well and become a shepard. (Just a thought.)
I don't want to see a reboot of this series, but I would like to see another show set in the same verse. New characters telling a different story, but done in the same style of narrative. Although perhaps they could hire someone who could organise it to air in order for a change, I don't think that would be too much of a change.
@dbell1016
4 ай бұрын
Joss did say that the ship of Firefly had sailed, but he had other things he wanted to say in this "universe". If he's ever let out of the neo-MacCarthyesq gulag he's in, and the stars align, we could see another series set in the 'verse.
@LegendStormcrow
4 ай бұрын
I would enjoy that
@fumarc4501
4 ай бұрын
Agreed
@etherealceleste
4 ай бұрын
@@dbell1016 Except Senator Joseph McCarthy was right and if anything too polite to suspected and later confirmed spies. None were held for unreasonable times. None were insulted. None were accosted. None were jailed. All turned out to be spies when the Iron Curtain fell and their records were released by Russia.
@bull420840
4 ай бұрын
Call it something like firefly tales from the black. Maybe have one of the characters be wash and Zoe’s baby
One of the most poignant deaths in cinematic history is the death of Wash. Even just seeing it here again brought me instantly to tears. I honestly screamed when I saw it the first time. Wash was the best of us. Big shiny heroes.
I Rewatched FIREFLY a couple weekends ago. My Eyes got unexpectedly moist at least 3 times before the last 2 Episodes. This tragically breif story is PERFECT for illustration of the Creative VOID of the past Decade.
This will always be in my top 5 sci-fi movies. I literally cried knowing there would be no more of this wonderful world coming.
I always thought this was one if the most promising sci-fi shows when it first came out and even to this day. Shame it was canceled in only one season. All the caractors were well developed and it was a great way to present a beliveable story set in the future as they were just trying to male thier way to survive in the situation they found themselves in. The movie seemed a bit rushed but at least we fans were given a decent end to the story in the first and only season. I hoped there was even a possibilty that another movie was to follow but alas, it was not to be. Thanks Nyat for another great review on the storyline and the movie Serenity! 😃
@thedorkone1516
4 ай бұрын
Having read some of the things Whedon had planned... I'm not so sad that Firefly got cut short.
Morena and Jewel were both so beautiful in this show, from completely different directions. Like a Faberge egg lighted by an autum sunset. Wow.
Great character development, I loved it. It suffered from not having a defined, understandable antagonist. It's a shame, I really loved the individual characters-reminded me of Cowboy Bebop
@filmcomicsexplained
4 ай бұрын
I agree. If the operative had been in the show from Episode 1, it would have elevated everything :)
@auraswan951
4 ай бұрын
@@filmcomicsexplained The Operative always gave me vibes of Jubal Early the bounty hunter from the proposed last episode (Episode 10 in guides)....
@Toa676
27 күн бұрын
Really? I thought the antagonist carried the film personally
@willc3384
25 күн бұрын
@@Toa676 Sorry, I felt the whole Reaver angle went nowhere and the whole concept in general kind of fell flat. I would love the Serenity characters in something like the Expanse universe.
I'm so glad we got a closure to the series with this movie.
i got into this show after it and the movie were already out. i can not express how depressing it was that, a show this good was cancelled after only one season.
One of my favourite series and it was a tragedy it was cancelled 😢 Thank you so much for this reminder of when tv & films were made with love & respect for the genre.
Saw the movie without knowing it was based off a show. I later watched the show and instantly loved it
"Firefly" and "Serenity" are tops in my sci-fi viewing history. Just a great story and awesome work by the cast and crew. Hats off to you, Mr Whedon.
"Action/Adventure" is the death of TV science fiction. Star Trek's original pilot was dismissed because there wasn't enough "action." I didn't know much about "Firefly" before I saw this movie. I had just heard that the fans were unusually passionate. I knew Joss Whedon as the writer of one of my favorite movies, "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer." I know Joss wasn't happy about the movie, but I really like it even more than the TV show. "Serenity" was a revelation. The crew of Serenity is a delightful and precious gem. When the movie was over, I just wanted to watch it again, and I was really quite upset by the deaths of two, well now three, of my favorite characters. That scene near the end with the reveal of River Tam after the fight with the Reavers looks just like a Boris Vallejo painting! After that, I had to go find their "backstory" and I watched the whole "Firefly" series. I only wish there was more. Now, having watched your video, I'm going to have to go back and watch it all again. This is going to take a while because I keep rewinding and replaying my favorite scenes and lines. I can watch this stuff over and over and over again. I just love those guys!
There's so much of this series that was and never will be told. What we got was brilliant though.
This was criminally underrated…I watched this movie with a lens of someone who doesn’t know Firefly but I think I will one day watch that series…
Found this movie in my dad's DVD collection as a child. Always thought "Serenity" was a beautiful name for a girl and if i have a daughter, that is what i will name her ❤
@TheOnlyElle.
4 ай бұрын
A beautiful name!! Also, the "Serenity Prayer" has saved a Lot of lives and reunited Families with their 'lost' Loved One's Serenity is beautiful..and, a Beautiful title for any young Lady 🙏🏼💜
Being able to blend so many characters and stories so well is why he also got the part for The Avengers. He had the experience to handle that many stories and weave them together.
I re-watched Serenity a week or so ago. This film is a master class in what subversion REALLY means. Every amazing payoff of this film is a spectacular genre subversion which is not only entertaining, but satisfying as an audience member and makes for an honest, endearing portrayal of these characters who you believe would absolutely do this crafty, unexpected trick.
Never even knew that a show existed or was was connected... Wasn't a massive fan of the movie at the time, but I remember some particular aspect of it always stuck in my head and held a certain feeling in my mind for some reason. Gonna have to rewatch it, and figure out what that feeling is. I was only maybe 13 when I last saw it. Now being 31, It'd be interesting to decipher what exactly grabbed my attention and held on for so long. A calm aggressiveness... (if that makes sense). I'll update my thoughts and findings when I get a chance to watch it again. Now I'm curious 😄
@rawl93
4 ай бұрын
We the people demand and update asap
@graydi66y
4 ай бұрын
Well?
Fox mishandled this show so bad, it's as if the out of order airing and timeslot was intended to get the series cancelled as soon as possible.
I first watched Firefly during quarantine. For a while I was obsessed with the techno-oriental aesthetic.
I saw every episode the movie several times, and never can grow old hearing or watching such an incredible piece of love. Gob bless the Brown Coats
One of my favorite series. I truly wish it had lasted longer.
One of my favorite shows of all time and I loved the movie! Thanks for the video!
"I'm a leaf on the wind"
I saw Serenity before I ever saw Firefly, still loved it. My favorite line remains ‘She always did love to dance…’.
This has always been my centerpiece in my collection the series and the movie.
I would give anything to have more episodes. I loved Firefly.
This movie will always be my favorite. It's my comfort movie, a thrilling, action packed adventure with incredibly good morals and ideals, a realism that stretches those morals when necessary, and a cast that always feels like family. Even the operative, though ruthless and extremely evil, is just a victim of an even more evil system, showing that even the worst people can be forces of good when they see the light. I know it's a flawed movie, but just like humans, it's the flaws that give the final touches of beauty, making them perfect in their imperfections.
I remember the first time i watched the movie. I saw it, not knowing about the series. I came in after it had already been canceled. I liked the movie the first time i watched it, but i hadnt seen the series first. So after discovering the series sometime later, i watched it all the way through and then when i watched the movie, it was like watching it for the first time all over again.
Mighty fine shindig.
There are 3 movies that will forever be cemented in legend. The best of humanity. Kingdom of Heaven, Last of the Mohicans and Serenity. Between the music composition, to the message shared....those 3 are unmatched as a whole
A great movie and series that I have watched many more times than the new Star Wars or recent Marvel offerings . Excellent presentation!
Thanks for bringing this movie back to my attention.
Great show, great movie hands down. My favorite episode was "Out of Gas".
This was some old-school filmcomicsexplained, good stuff Nyat 👌
Firefly is so good of a show!
such a good show/movie. Nathan is also a super chill dude. I've ran into him a couple times at a bar in our home town and shared a couple drinks with him 😄
I knew OF this Series when it was airing. TV Guide called it "The best show you're not watching." I saw the movie before I had seen ANY of the Episodes. Bought the Series on DVD on the way home from the theater.
I actually didn't know about the TV show and watched the movie first. After seeing it I found out online that it was made to give the fans of the show a good ending and it made me want to watch it too. It happens far to often that great shows get sabotaged and scrapped by networks, just look at Lucifer. Luckily that show got picked up and continued by other producers thanks to the massive support of the fans
I never watched the TV show but I did watch the film and should have the film on DVD. I honestly loved the film greatly 😀
The Firefly show reminds me of an anime called Outlaw Star. Both show has a rag tag crew flying through space, doing various missions.
@christracey5813
4 ай бұрын
Outlaw Star is more of a Sci Fi take on Treasure Island, then Firefly/Serenity ever was. But I can see were you are going with this. Cowboy Bebop is closer to Firefly imo when it comes to themes, but again, that is more inspired by Yakuza media than westerns.
I saw the movie not long after it came out on dvd but the series i only got round to watching last year and ill be honest i regret not warching it as a kid as it was a damn good series.
One of my favorite movies as a kid.. imagine my surprise/delight when I discovered the TV show many years later 🤯
I really enjoyed this movie..I never saw the show but was glad that I didn’t need to. Thank you for making this. “Wind blows northerly, I go north. That's who I am. Now, maybe that ain't a man to lead, but they have to follow.”
I remember trying to watch the movie 2 times before i even knew that it was firefly i was super lost and just forgot about it. Then i found out it is just firefly movie. So i watch the show then watch the movie now i remember everything and loved it. TLDR: I F up.😂😂😂
Such an original and amazing show! "No power in the verse"!
I love this movie in so excited to see what you say about it!! And the show that I didn't discover until after the movie! 🖤
I had never seen the show but went with a Firefly fan to see the movie and enjoyed the film so much I had buy the series and have watched both the tv show and the movie countless times and enjoy it to this very day. The wonderful cast with such a great premise should have had a dozen or more seasons and it's a shame it didn't!
Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.
Glorious ending to the TV series Firefly!
My all time fav. I was shattered when it got cancelled.
An unequalled production which you covered very well. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
The movie’s only major flaw was that they were trying to cram multiple seasons’ worth of storyline into 2ish hours, making it feel very rushed. The series had sososo much potential for vast world-building and character development, it’s basically impossible to water that down into just one film.
One day someone will make a new series for firefly, comic, audio series or a legecy series of the next generation in tv format. Until that far off day comes this vidoe keeps the flame of love for this story and characters alive and well.
My dad took me to go see this in theaters when I was 15. almost 19 years ago!!! It became one of my favorite movies at the time. I had no idea that It was a show when I first saw it. I had seen a lot of films before this movie that have very well constructed narratives that I'm able to appreciate as an adult, but this movie was accessible enough to me at a young age to really understand what a tight narrative was in a story.
Thanks always nice to return to this movie and great series ! !
cannot see this being repeated any time soon they have removed all the love of story in modern media for dei sad because it doesn't have to be insulting to be inclusive! this show among others proves that! strong yet loving women with understandable and relatable drive of her own so well written across the board working together like REAL PEOPLE do!
One of Chiwetel's best performances.
@jaysonraphaelmurdock8812
4 ай бұрын
Agreed. I desperately wanted him to be the next Doctor Who but after seeing the trash they've put out I'm glad he didn't
Its so adorable to see Adam Baldwin so giddy over this movie
Oh man, haven't seen this movie in a long time. The Reavers terrified me. Great video!
I liked this excellent breakdown and review. Thanks very much.
Every time I see a anything related this show, I tear up... Here we go again
Hell yes. Its about time you did this.
All I remembered about this show as a kid "born in 89" was 2 things. 1.This is a really cool show/movie and 2. Why cant I make any sense of the time-line. Had no clue that was due to internal problems my child self would never understand. Hands down Sci-Fi greatest show.
I never saw the show, but the movie I loved so much wish there was a sequel
I aim to misbehave is one of my favorite mo ie quotes ever!
I am definitely one of the Brown Coats! I miss this show so much, and I watch it every time I can! Down with the Alliance!
Firefly and The Expanse are the two best realistic space IPs ever made.
@graydi66y
4 ай бұрын
Battlestar is a bit more accurate than Firefly/Serenity. At least when it comes to space flight and battles.
The last fight was my favorite scene, watchin raw skill face off against vicious experience was a hell of a fight, I'm glad experience won, was freakin awesome to watch
I had never seen the series but I saw the movie and I loved it so much I would watch it every time I was on tv.
Do you know what the chain of command is? 😂 Love this movie and the series. So much fantastic chemistry between all the characters.
Excellent analysis
Excellent video about one of my favourite sci-fi universes. For what is worth they did a comic as well as a table top RPG set in the same universe.
Thanks for the break down and reminisce. Also for any firefly/serenity fans if you have not seen dollhouse. Make time.
I saw this at a midnight screening before the movie had all of its "official" music worked out. It was still fabulous!!! ...just quieter.
I am one of the lucky few to have gotten a 'Fight like a Girl' hoodie based on that scene with River. Best Movie.
This is my favorite movie. Im convinced the backstory for Shepherd Book is essentially told to us in the Assassin’s story. The script is so tight that the parallels line up so keenly. Recommendation: do What Deans May Come and compare it to the awful book of the same name (or don’t) and also to Dante’s Inferno
@seaztheday4418
4 ай бұрын
I agree that they have such strong parallels it seems incredibly unlikely for it to not be deliberate
It was not Fox's fualt. Firefly was a great show that hit when everyone was tired of sci-fi. Serenity shows it didn't have the fans people claim as it made $40m on a $39m budget. If it was so well loved, it would have made money. It was nearly 5 years before dvd sales, and the internet really built up a fan base.
Excellent video 👍 Thank you 💜
I really wish they would reboot this show/movie.
One of my favourites
I loveeee this movie! I am obsessed!
Great movie. Highly underrated
I saw the movie before I ever knew about the series. The fact that there was very little confusion and knowing that there was a series that this was following up. There were some issues resolved once I saw the series, but it did amazing as a stand alone movie
I think about a different timeline that this show wasn't canceled after 1 season but went on a run. This show could have been so much more...