Burn the land and boil the sea -- Serenity review
Serenity was everthing I'd been expecting and more. It was not merely a continuation of Firefly or an extended episode-- it was gutsy, epic, challenging. I laughed, I gripped the edge of my seat, I gasped, I cried. Rare indeed are the movies that make me cry.
Character rundowns:
Wash: When Wash was killed, it felt like someone had shoved a giant spike through my chest. I gasped and my hand flew to my mouth and stayed there for about a minute. When Zoe pulled a Willow with "Wash? Wash, baby?" I lost it. This is partially because my deepest fear in life is losing someone that I love that much. I don't know how I would go on, how I would function. I would consume me totally, utterly, and I would self-destruct. I would go insane and never recover. That's not very strong or admirable to say, but I know that it's probably the truth.
Wash's death affected me deeply, to the point where I had to continually remind myself that Wash is a fictional character and Alan Tudyk is very much still alive. But it was Wash-- one of my most beloved of all of Joss's characters. One of the things that I had loved so much about Firefly was the dynamic of his relationship with Zoe-- how much they genuinely loved each other. It's going to be so hard to go back and re-watch those scenes. I'm hoping that Wash's death will be much akin to Anya's or Wesley's-- so late in the game that it doesn't feel real. I want to watch old episodes without that lingering sadness I feel when I see Tara onscreen.
The worst part was that I had the sinking feeling that it was coming. I've been a fan of Joss's evil bastardry for so long that I knew that the crash landing gave a false sense of security-- that Joss would do something shocking and final and hard for us to watch, like the end of Seeing Red. It had to affect us, and sadly, of the crew, Wash was the most expendable, though he was much beloved. It took a toll, and it stayed on my mind and on my heart for the remainder of the film.
I'm sure, however, if they do a trilogy, we'll have more Wash. Probably in the form of flashbacks, I'd wager. He is too integral to the tone of the dynamic to be forgotten entirely.
Jayne: typical Jayne. Comedic relief and brawn. I wish they'd get more into his development, but I understand that they couldn't in this film (which is why I believe that Wash died instead of Jayne. Unfinished business). He seemed mostly just there throughout the movie, though I did like the upping of the tension between him and Mal.
Zoe: pretty much what I expected. The characterization was spot-on. Zoe, the Amazon. Zoe, the grave voice of reason. Zoe, Mal's right hand. I love me some Zoe. Also, the white dress. Wow.
Also, I think Heather is right-- if in fact we do get another movie, I expect to see a much more insubordinate, angry Zoe. It'll be interesting to see how Zoe copes with grief when she's not suicidally hurling herself at Reavers.
Kaylee: Kaylee got skinny. I don't know if I like that. I always liked that Joss wanted Kaylee to be normal-sized, and I thought she was too movie-skinny. Other than that, she had some fantastic lines-- the vibrator line? Vowing not to die so she can sleep with Simon? Get 'em, Kaylee. I love her innocence juxtaposed with completely unexpected but blatant sexuality.
Inara: Inara. Just. Yeah. Inara. The clothes. The pretty. The tension between her and Mal. Just. Yeah. Inara. She doesn't really have to do anything but stand around and be hot. Which is pretty much exactly what she did.
Simon: "It's okay to leave them to die." Ahahaha. Simon was typical Simon, and hello to the shirtlessness and him and Kaylee finally getting it on. He represents love and goodness and I think he's wonderful.
Book: I love Ron Glass. I particularly loved him in frontier preacher guise-- so hardened, so strong. His death hurt, but it was a righteous death, and a good one. He died in a way that I feel wraps him as a character, and Joss & Co. can always do comics or other mediums to tell his story. I think it was actually a good choice that Mal never learned Book's secrets. Seeing that little boy dead on the ground was cutting, though. Kaylee's face-- poor Kaylee, the last of the innocents.
River: Dude. I was floored by Summer Glau's performance-- her sheer physicality and awesomeness of her ability to fight. Her vulnerability and ferocity. Her ability to turn complete nonsense lines inside out and shoot them like arrows. River was not to be believed. One of the images that will stay with me is when the hatch opened and all of the Reavers lie dead at her feet. She looked primeval, a Goddess of wrath and darkness and justice. Closeup of the blood dripping gracefully from her scythe. I was unbelievably impressed with her story. Also? "Please, God, make me a stone"? That was the best bit of dialogue in the whole movie. It was such a perfect expression of her condition that, as a writer, I was extremely envious.
Mal: Darkness. True, inutterable darkness. Nathan did such a good job juggling humor, intensity, and wrath. He really reached down and pulled out everything that fuels Malcolm Reynolds. I think, to me, the most shocking and telling moment was when he ordered the bodies to be splayed against the ship so that they could pass through Reaver territory. It was horrific, but it was what had to be done. He finally had a belief. I love my Captain.
The Alliance Operative: The villain was good, and interesting. I thought that the actor could have given more of a performance. He had the calm gravitas of a truly terrifying villain, but I didn't see much contrast in his emotional development. Also, he was kind of bland to look at. Though through his actions, he was much more effective than Jubal Early, I would have loved to see that actor in this role. He looks fierce and feral, which makes the stoicism all the more disturbing. Also, the "fall on the sword" scene? Jesus motherfucking christ.
Mr. Universe: Skyler, you didn't tell me you were in this movie!
Other thoughts: I loved the Reaver genesis story. It makes complete sense, and it was well integrated within the film. The action was also extremely well-done. The visuals were stunning, and the script was superb. This was the best and most effective movie that I've seen since Closer and Stage Beauty. My hat off to Joss and Universal. This is one that I will see over and over. In fact, I can't wait to get the DVD, because I'm sure that the commentary will be out of this world.
Character rundowns:
Wash: When Wash was killed, it felt like someone had shoved a giant spike through my chest. I gasped and my hand flew to my mouth and stayed there for about a minute. When Zoe pulled a Willow with "Wash? Wash, baby?" I lost it. This is partially because my deepest fear in life is losing someone that I love that much. I don't know how I would go on, how I would function. I would consume me totally, utterly, and I would self-destruct. I would go insane and never recover. That's not very strong or admirable to say, but I know that it's probably the truth.
Wash's death affected me deeply, to the point where I had to continually remind myself that Wash is a fictional character and Alan Tudyk is very much still alive. But it was Wash-- one of my most beloved of all of Joss's characters. One of the things that I had loved so much about Firefly was the dynamic of his relationship with Zoe-- how much they genuinely loved each other. It's going to be so hard to go back and re-watch those scenes. I'm hoping that Wash's death will be much akin to Anya's or Wesley's-- so late in the game that it doesn't feel real. I want to watch old episodes without that lingering sadness I feel when I see Tara onscreen.
The worst part was that I had the sinking feeling that it was coming. I've been a fan of Joss's evil bastardry for so long that I knew that the crash landing gave a false sense of security-- that Joss would do something shocking and final and hard for us to watch, like the end of Seeing Red. It had to affect us, and sadly, of the crew, Wash was the most expendable, though he was much beloved. It took a toll, and it stayed on my mind and on my heart for the remainder of the film.
I'm sure, however, if they do a trilogy, we'll have more Wash. Probably in the form of flashbacks, I'd wager. He is too integral to the tone of the dynamic to be forgotten entirely.
Jayne: typical Jayne. Comedic relief and brawn. I wish they'd get more into his development, but I understand that they couldn't in this film (which is why I believe that Wash died instead of Jayne. Unfinished business). He seemed mostly just there throughout the movie, though I did like the upping of the tension between him and Mal.
Zoe: pretty much what I expected. The characterization was spot-on. Zoe, the Amazon. Zoe, the grave voice of reason. Zoe, Mal's right hand. I love me some Zoe. Also, the white dress. Wow.
Also, I think Heather is right-- if in fact we do get another movie, I expect to see a much more insubordinate, angry Zoe. It'll be interesting to see how Zoe copes with grief when she's not suicidally hurling herself at Reavers.
Kaylee: Kaylee got skinny. I don't know if I like that. I always liked that Joss wanted Kaylee to be normal-sized, and I thought she was too movie-skinny. Other than that, she had some fantastic lines-- the vibrator line? Vowing not to die so she can sleep with Simon? Get 'em, Kaylee. I love her innocence juxtaposed with completely unexpected but blatant sexuality.
Inara: Inara. Just. Yeah. Inara. The clothes. The pretty. The tension between her and Mal. Just. Yeah. Inara. She doesn't really have to do anything but stand around and be hot. Which is pretty much exactly what she did.
Simon: "It's okay to leave them to die." Ahahaha. Simon was typical Simon, and hello to the shirtlessness and him and Kaylee finally getting it on. He represents love and goodness and I think he's wonderful.
Book: I love Ron Glass. I particularly loved him in frontier preacher guise-- so hardened, so strong. His death hurt, but it was a righteous death, and a good one. He died in a way that I feel wraps him as a character, and Joss & Co. can always do comics or other mediums to tell his story. I think it was actually a good choice that Mal never learned Book's secrets. Seeing that little boy dead on the ground was cutting, though. Kaylee's face-- poor Kaylee, the last of the innocents.
River: Dude. I was floored by Summer Glau's performance-- her sheer physicality and awesomeness of her ability to fight. Her vulnerability and ferocity. Her ability to turn complete nonsense lines inside out and shoot them like arrows. River was not to be believed. One of the images that will stay with me is when the hatch opened and all of the Reavers lie dead at her feet. She looked primeval, a Goddess of wrath and darkness and justice. Closeup of the blood dripping gracefully from her scythe. I was unbelievably impressed with her story. Also? "Please, God, make me a stone"? That was the best bit of dialogue in the whole movie. It was such a perfect expression of her condition that, as a writer, I was extremely envious.
Mal: Darkness. True, inutterable darkness. Nathan did such a good job juggling humor, intensity, and wrath. He really reached down and pulled out everything that fuels Malcolm Reynolds. I think, to me, the most shocking and telling moment was when he ordered the bodies to be splayed against the ship so that they could pass through Reaver territory. It was horrific, but it was what had to be done. He finally had a belief. I love my Captain.
The Alliance Operative: The villain was good, and interesting. I thought that the actor could have given more of a performance. He had the calm gravitas of a truly terrifying villain, but I didn't see much contrast in his emotional development. Also, he was kind of bland to look at. Though through his actions, he was much more effective than Jubal Early, I would have loved to see that actor in this role. He looks fierce and feral, which makes the stoicism all the more disturbing. Also, the "fall on the sword" scene? Jesus motherfucking christ.
Mr. Universe: Skyler, you didn't tell me you were in this movie!
Other thoughts: I loved the Reaver genesis story. It makes complete sense, and it was well integrated within the film. The action was also extremely well-done. The visuals were stunning, and the script was superb. This was the best and most effective movie that I've seen since Closer and Stage Beauty. My hat off to Joss and Universal. This is one that I will see over and over. In fact, I can't wait to get the DVD, because I'm sure that the commentary will be out of this world.