elspethdixon (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
elspethdixon) wrote2005-09-30 11:33 pm
elspethdixon) wrote2005-09-30 11:33 pm
I am a leaf on the wind...
I drove two hours tonight in order to get to a theater showing Serenity. It was worth it.
It was… shiny.
The Western elements weren't as strong as they were in the show, which was my only real qualm. That, and, of course, they didn't have the room in a film for all the character interaction and interpersonal stuff I enjoyed so much in the show.
That said, it was a suspenseful, adrenaline-rush-filled sci-fi thriller in its own right, with an ending that was as emotionally satisfying as, well, as Order of the Phoenix and Half Blood Prince weren't. There were several points where the entire theater (almost all of whom weren't fans) spontaneously applauded. For me, though, the best part of the film was the fact that it was more Firefly, with Jayne's gloriously amoral thuggery (and goofy hat!), and Mal's ability to say just the right thing when facing off with a bad guy that descends into deep inarticulateness over all things interpersonal, and Wash's dinosaurs, and Zoe's dead-pan snark and tight leather vest, and Simon's single-minded determination, and River's eerie, barefoot grace.
One of Joss Whedon's most over-looked skills as a director is his ability to use silence in a way that can be more moving and evocative than sound, and he does that to great effect in Serenity. Particularly after several of the action sequences, when it evokes that hollow, stunned feeling that comes with adrenaline let down. Several of the film's more suspenseful sequences have no background music at all, and the "dead air" effect is almost claustrophobic.
Oh, wait, I do have one other qualm besides the lessening of the "Western"-ness. Personally, I think that the plot twist involving the Reavers, cool and clever as it was, made them less viscerally creepy than they were in the show. They're still way creepier than anything in Revenge of the Sith, though.
It was… shiny.
The Western elements weren't as strong as they were in the show, which was my only real qualm. That, and, of course, they didn't have the room in a film for all the character interaction and interpersonal stuff I enjoyed so much in the show.
That said, it was a suspenseful, adrenaline-rush-filled sci-fi thriller in its own right, with an ending that was as emotionally satisfying as, well, as Order of the Phoenix and Half Blood Prince weren't. There were several points where the entire theater (almost all of whom weren't fans) spontaneously applauded. For me, though, the best part of the film was the fact that it was more Firefly, with Jayne's gloriously amoral thuggery (and goofy hat!), and Mal's ability to say just the right thing when facing off with a bad guy that descends into deep inarticulateness over all things interpersonal, and Wash's dinosaurs, and Zoe's dead-pan snark and tight leather vest, and Simon's single-minded determination, and River's eerie, barefoot grace.
One of Joss Whedon's most over-looked skills as a director is his ability to use silence in a way that can be more moving and evocative than sound, and he does that to great effect in Serenity. Particularly after several of the action sequences, when it evokes that hollow, stunned feeling that comes with adrenaline let down. Several of the film's more suspenseful sequences have no background music at all, and the "dead air" effect is almost claustrophobic.
Oh, wait, I do have one other qualm besides the lessening of the "Western"-ness. Personally, I think that the plot twist involving the Reavers, cool and clever as it was, made them less viscerally creepy than they were in the show. They're still way creepier than anything in Revenge of the Sith, though.
no subject
Things I liked:
-> The CGI wasn't obvious. This is a big marker for me, because I find obvious CGI to be more of a "look at the size of our rendering engine" thing. Non-obvious CGI tends to be tied in my mind with good worldbuilding (ie the CGI is used to enhance the world of the movie, rather than detract from it).
-> I don't know about everyone else, but I was spotting Star Wars references all over the place (most particularly in Mal's character, who seemed to be a cross between Indiana Jones and Han Solo). Admittedly, when it came to the scene in the power generator, I did promise myself to groan if someone unexpectedly turned out to be someone else's father, but aside from that, there were some beautiful moments.
-> The sheer complexity of the film. There were so many layers, so much backstory to be picked up, so much to be figured out. The whole thing appealed to that section of my brain which likes starting multi-part series from the second book, and seeing how much of the background I can figure out. Admittedly, this is my pet quirk, and I don't know too many people who share it.
-> As you say, the use of silence. Very few filmmakers appear to have figured out that silence can say more than words, if used appropriately. Not just for context, but also as non-vocal communication. I think this is at least part of what makes River such a compelling character - the fact that most of the time she doesn't speak, so when she does, the reaction is to *listen*. Silence makes words significant.
-> The complexity of the language. They aren't using early 21st century slang. They're using their own language, with its own complexities, and with words which have changed meanings.
I have to get myself down to the local DVD shop and get the full edition of Firefly - I had no idea what I was missing. If what you're saying is correct, I'm going to enjoy that even more!
no subject
Bastard!
*Waits some more* (Bloody stupid time differences)
On the other hand, I will see the new Harry Potter movie on it's premire weekend in London. Ha ha!
no subject
If I wasn't utterly disillusioned re: all things Rowling related, I'd be deeply jealous. Actually, I'm still kind of jealous. Even though most of the shiny has worn off HP for me with the past two books, going to a movie premiere--especially one that's going to be packed with fans, like this one--has got to be loads of fun.
My Dad and I saw PoA in London last summer, and were deeply creeped out by the many small, British children in the theatre with us. People that small should have English accents. It's just weird.
Are you going in costume?
no subject