Post by Lord_Buscemi on Dec 26, 2020 22:57:22 GMT
This is definitely among the bigger shows that I hadn't seen until just recently. For a show that only lasted a season, it's impressive how much detailed worldbuilding Whedon was able to incorporate in that short span of airtime. The Western Sci-Fi hybrid is already a captivating hook, but even cooler to me about the style is this interpretation of the future with a fusion of Sino-American cultural aesthetics and the mythology with its parallels to the American Civil War/the Confederacy. I got similar vibes to Lost's first season - high-concept in scope, but lo-fi approach to storytelling with attention to its ensemble of characters in an episodic format that focuses on each individually at one point. This makes the cancellation more crushing to me than if it ended on an unresolved cliffhanger because it was all such solid setup for season-long arcs and future character developments.
Luckily, Serenity is a satisfying closure for the series and translates the show's format into something more cinematic. In the process it does sacrifice tonal consistency with the show and some things just feel off (what is up with Simon for most of the movie?), but this is as formidable and dignified an end as could be achieved after the cancellation. Love that they were able to expand mythology of the Alliance by connecting them to the creation of the Reavers, which were already a great addition of space horror to the series but a limited presence because I assume Whedon intended to deal with them later. This also applies to River, who was the core of the series but only really gets the chance to shine here. What Whedon would have done with Normal River is one of the big what-ifs, but at least there's her massacring all the Reavers in this which is the best action set-piece of the series.
Luckily, Serenity is a satisfying closure for the series and translates the show's format into something more cinematic. In the process it does sacrifice tonal consistency with the show and some things just feel off (what is up with Simon for most of the movie?), but this is as formidable and dignified an end as could be achieved after the cancellation. Love that they were able to expand mythology of the Alliance by connecting them to the creation of the Reavers, which were already a great addition of space horror to the series but a limited presence because I assume Whedon intended to deal with them later. This also applies to River, who was the core of the series but only really gets the chance to shine here. What Whedon would have done with Normal River is one of the big what-ifs, but at least there's her massacring all the Reavers in this which is the best action set-piece of the series.
