Summer Glau Movie:

		List Price: $89.98		Label: 20th Century Fox Salesrank: 1215 Released: November 11, 2008
		Our Price: $52.99
		Used Price: $34.07
		MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated) Media: Blu-ray

Editorial Review:

Genre: Television: Series
Rating: NR
Release Date: 11-NOV-2008
Media Type: Blu-Ray

Description of Firefly: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]:
As the 2005 theatrical release of Serenity made clear, Firefly was a science fiction concept that deserved a second chance. Devoted fans (or "Browncoats") knew it all along, and with this well-packaged DVD set, those who missed the show's original broadcasts can see what they missed. Creator Joss Whedon's ambitious science-fiction Western (Whedon's third series after Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel) was canceled after only 11 of these 14 episodes had aired on the Fox network, but history has proven that its demise was woefully premature. Whedon's generic hybrid got off to a shaky start when network executives demanded an action-packed one-hour premiere ("The Train Job"); in hindsight the intended two-hour pilot (also titled "Serenity," and oddly enough, the final episode aired) provides a better introduction to the show's concept and splendid ensemble cast. Obsessive fans can debate the quirky logic of combining spaceships with direct parallels to frontier America (it's 500 years in the future, and embattled humankind has expanded into the galaxy, where undeveloped "outer rim" planets struggle with the equivalent of Old West accommodations), but Whedon and his gifted co-writers and directors make it work, at least well enough to fashion a credible context from the incongruous culture-clashing of past, present, and future technologies, along with a polyglot language (the result of two dominant superpowers) that combines English with an abundance of Chinese slang.

What makes it work is Whedon's delightfully well-chosen cast and their nine well-developed characters--a typically Whedon-esque extended family--each providing a unique perspective on their adventures aboard Serenity, the junky but beloved "Firefly-class" starship they call home. As a veteran of the disadvantaged Independent faction's war against the all-powerful planetary Alliance (think of it as Underdogs vs. Overlords), Serenity captain Malcolm Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) leads his compact crew on a quest for survival. They're renegades with an amoral agenda, taking any job that pays well, but Firefly's complex tapestry of right and wrong (and peace vs. violence) is richer and deeper than it first appears. Tantalizing clues about Blue Sun (an insidious mega-corporation with a mysteriously evil agenda), its ties to the Alliance, and the traumatizing use of Serenity's resident stowaway (Summer Glau) as a guinea pig in the development of advanced warfare were clear indications Firefly was heading for exciting revelations that were precluded by the series' cancellation. Fortunately, the big-screen Serenity (which can be enjoyed independently of the series) ensured that Whedon's wild extraterrestrial west had not seen its final sunset. Its very existence confirms that these 14 episodes (and enjoyable bonus features) will endure as irrefutable proof Fox made a glaring mistake in canceling the series. --Jeff Shannon

On the Blu-ray discs
Firefly has a picture that's a little softer than most Blu-ray discs (especially in the effects shots), but it is an improvement over the DVDs (even in an upconverting DVD player or Blu-ray player), and the punchy sound (DTS HD 5.1 compared to the DVDs' 2.0 surround) is a definite upgrade. In addition to the original bonus features, there are a couple new ones: a 25-minute conversation among Whedon, Nathan Fillion, Ron Glass, and Alan Tudyk in which they discuss the series and a number of specific episodes (Fillion recalls thinking he was getting fired after the first episode), and a new commentary track by the four fellows on "Our Mrs. Reynolds." And since it's easy to get sucked into watching multiple episodes, it's nice to have a Play All feature on the BDs. --David Horiuchi

Beyond Firefly on Blu-ray

Stargate: Continuum

Blu-ray Sci-Fi Bundle

Sunshine

Stills from Firefly (Click for larger image)

Firefly: The Complete Series [Blu-ray] Reviews:
What a Great Show!!
2009-12-17 - A coworker recommended this series to me, and I am so happy he did. I am not a huge fan of many TV shows in general, but this is one that I really enjoyed. The fact that the networks decided to cancel it after one season just goes to show you how clueless TV executives can be. Anyone who likes Sci-Fi will enjoy it. Love the theme song as well. Great stuff!

This show probably isn't what you think it is, but it is as great as you've heard
2009-11-20 - I am one of the original browncoat fans - I watched this show live on Fox back when it was originally broadcast. I would tell all my friends to come over and watch it when it was on (not that it did us any good, it was still canceled in the end).

This is character drama at its finest. By the end of the first episode, you will already love the characters. All the more amazing is that there are so many characters to know! But as the show goes on, you learn a little more about each of them. It's rare that you find a TV show that makes the people the center of the show, but this show pulls it off in spades.

Did I mention that it's a show set in space, and sometimes they act a little bit like cowboys? Don't let that throw you off. For most movies or TV shows that are set in space, I'd say "If you're not a fan of this genre, this show/movie/whatever won't change your mind." Well, in this case, don't worry about the space or cowboy theme - this show WILL change your mind. You will grow fond of the people and the ship they travel in, come to appreciate the worlds they travel through and the characters they meet, and be shocked by the choices they make.

I as much as any original browncoat was crushed to see the show get canceled: imagine all the stories they could have told! We could have found out more about the blue-handed men, or what Shephard Book's past was, or what was up with Inara's vial - but we really never will. Instead, we got some of the best TV you'll ever see in a very imaginative world.

I should point out that every one of my friends that I showed the show to ended up loving it. All of them, even my friends that "don't watch TV."

You will be quoting this show for a while: "Pain is scary." "Shiny." "You buy this ship, treat her proper, she'll be with you the rest of your life."

Trust me, it's worth it. Keep flying.

Outstanding
2009-11-20 - Was a fan when this series was on the SciFi and still enjoy the series on Blu-ray. Hope another movie is made soon.

Firefly Love/Hate
2009-11-05 - Honestly this is probably the best collection that can be made for this painfully short series. I love this show and greatly appreciate this collection. I would say a must have for any fan of this series, with a blu-ray player. Love this product, Hate that the show did not go on.

Blu-ray but not remaster
2009-10-11 - The blu-ray version isn't a remaster. Others said it was an improvement, but I'm not getting the full HD experience I've come to expect. It's graining and I'm only on a 42" plasma. There are only a few extra features/commentaries that have been added. So, replacing my DVD set was a waste of money too my view.

If you are purchasing the series for the first time, you can go with the blu-ray for the little extra cost if you want. But if you own the DVD set, I wouldn't replace it for this and I'm not going to recommend you pay the extra for the Blu-ray at this point.