ViewGuide

Created Aug 30, 2008 03:20AM PST • Edited Aug 30, 2008 03:20AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Perfect 5.0

   Remember how you felt the first time you saw the original Star Wars? Yeah, its kinda like that. Its a far out sci-fi space adventure (a space western to be specific) that’s a little clunky yet intimate at the same time. While Star Wars was limited by the technology of the time and gathered that clunky/intimate feeling as a result, this movie intentionally limits itself to keep grounded. The characters in this flick are extremely likeable and fully developed. The story is top notch and its just damn fun to watch. However, it must be said that this movie gets 3 times better once you have watched Firefly, the tv series it was spun off from. A lot of what you see in the movie feels real because you can tell it goes back pretty deep. You don’t, however, see a lot of that development in the film. You see the end result of their adventures, but not the journey there. This movie makes you want more. Some may not be able to enjoy it by itself. I absolutely did. Enough so that I immediately went out and bought the Firefly dvd’s and watched them in almost one sitting. On its own, the movie is very entertaining. As an end result of a tv series that was shot down too soon? Perfect.

4. Acting

   Perfect 5.0

   There is not one character in this film that I don’t like. Everyone – no matter how small their part – is likeable and genuine. They feel like real people. Even though this is afar out space adventure, these characters are very relateable and enjoyable to watch.

5. Male Stars Perfect 5.0

   Nathan Fillion is my hero. His comedic timing is spot on and when he gets intense, you feel it all the more. He’s charming, stubborn, romantic, but above all he’s a leader. He’s the guy who has to take care of this crew and he takes that responsibility very seriously. This is the guy that you think you would probably be in the same situation. Flawed for sure, but with the most noble of intentions.

6. Female Stars Perfect 5.0

   Summer Glau was so convincing in this role as a mentally troubled 17 year old girl, that to see her now in the Sarah Connor Chronicles is a little weird. She poured out so much emotion that to now see her as a robot is quite a jump. You totally believe that this girl has been through some crap and is now a fractured version of who she was. You see who she was in brief moments between who she has become and you can’t help but feel for her.

7. Female Costars Perfect 5.0

   Gina Torres as Zoe is a perfect choice for second in command. She is the counterbalance to Fillion’s Malcolm. While he is brash and spontaneous, she is calculated and calm. She is many times what keeps him grounded. While her outpouring of emotion at the end isn’t the most convincing, because you have already formed a bond with the characters, you don’t really notice.

   Morena Baccarin as Inara is soft and strong at the same time. She looks like an escort and holds herself delicately, but you know she’s got strength and sass coming out of every pore. Its easy to see why Mal is so in love with her.

   Jewel Staite is so damn adorable and you root for her the whole way. She’s kinda like your little sister. You may not be physically attracted to her, but you love her all the same.

8. Male Costars Perfect 5.0

   Adam Baldwin is now my favorite Baldwin. Dude plays Jayne like he was born for the role. He’s rough, tough, and brutally honest. He’s our guy side. The tough guy we want to be, but know that we don’t have the bite to back up the bark. He’s funny and clueless many times but could bust a skull without thinking twice.

   Chiwetel Ejiofor as the Operative is pretty chilling. He’s got a proper british accent and seems classy and calm, but he’s a self-admitted monster. He kills children because he has to. He believes in what he does so heavily that he becomes extremely dangerous.

10. Film

    Really Great 4.5

    This movie feels so real. Part of the problem I have with Star Trek and even the new Star Wars movies is that it doesn’t feel real. There isn’t enough of our surroundings in them to make you feel like it could be happening. This movie feels like you could be part of it. It feels like this is how things would really be in the future because for the most part its not polished and smooth. Its rough and used. Its broken down and dirty. However, it still looks pretty. The special effects are obviously low budget, but they still look good. The final ariel assault at the end of the movie, where the action looks to be recorded by a hand-held is one of my favorites in the flick.

11. Direction Perfect 5.0

    Saw it on a t-shirt – Joss Whedon is my master now. That’s it. No more.

12. Play Perfect 5.0

    Natural, funny, and never over-bearing. The western slang feels good, not off setting. Having the chinese words come in every once in a while doesn’t feel forced, it flows just like when you speak to someone who is bilingual.

13. Music Perfect 5.0

    Supported the film, enhanced the action and the drama. Good all around.

14. Visuals Really Great 4.5

    I gots to take this one down a peg for clunkiness. The reaver chase at the beginning of the movie is too low budget to get away with – especially when you see the final battle at the end. There are also a few times where you will see control panels move on the ship when Wash is pushing them around. I love the look of the film and I give it high marks, but the little bit of clunk kept it from being perfect.

15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.9

    Some sexual innuendoes and violence, but nothing too graphic. More of it is insinuated rather than actually shown. The reavers are intense, but its nothing too bad. Pretty average for a PG-13 I would say.

17. Sex Innocent 1.2

18. Violence Fierce 2.0

19. Rudeness Salty 2.5

21. Reality

    Glib 1.7

    As natural as fantasy can get. Because of the clunky feel, things seem natural. It makes sense that the ship breaks down and has parts flying off. It makes sense that these characters have to do some not so good things to eat. As natural as a sci-fi space western can get – it is. The setting is far off, but the events, the people and their reactions are natural.

22. Circumstantial Surreal 2.6

23. Biological Natural 1.0

    This one I have to stop and say something about. In the last fist fight between Mal and the Operative, you see Mal beat half to death. The guy is in poor shape and it just gets worse and Fillion pulls it off so well you’ll cringe. He gets stabbed and punched and kicked and just put through the damn ringer and it actually looks like it. You believe that he has actually gone through the punishment and all the more question whether or not he can get up.

24. Physical Glib 1.5

    Jayne punches a guy which flips him head over heels, he then catches him by the ankles and drops him on his head. Not gonna happen. Cool to see, though.