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List Price: $49.98 | | Label: 20th Century Fox
Salesrank: 312
Released: December 9, 2003 |
| Our Price: $29.99 |
| Used Price: $29.88 |
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MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Five hundred years in the future there's a whole new frontier, and the crew of the Firefly-class spaceship Serenity is eager to stake a claim on the action. They'll take any job, legal or illegal, to keep fuel in the tanks and food on the table. But things get a bit more complicated after they take on a passenger wanted by the new totalitarian Alliance regime. Now they find themselves on the run, desperate to steer clear of Alliance ships and the flesh-eating Reavers who live on the fringes of space.
Description of Firefly - The Complete Series:
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
Beyond Firefly on DVD
Watch Stargate: Continuum on DVD | 
Catch up on Stargate Atlantis on DVD | 
Check out Sunshine on DVD |
Stills from Firefly (Click for larger image) Firefly - The Complete Series Reviews:
Firefly: A Diamond in the Rough 
2009-12-27 - I am a big science fiction fan, but I don't like the majority of science fiction. I am a huge fan of Star Trek - particularly Deep Space 9 and The Next Generation. I watched, Star Trek: Enterprise and Battlestar Galactica (the new one) and was very disappointed with both. I attempted to watch Babylon 5 and Farscape, but was very bored with the characters.
When friends recommended Firefly I was skeptical. I tried to watch the first episode and gave up about 20 minutes in (it seemed boring and uninspired). About 3 months later, I decided to give it another chance. By the end of the first episode, I was already growing attached to the characters and the setting. I watched the rest of the show, followed by the movie, Serenity, within 2 days. The characters and acting are suburb. The setting and verse are intriguing and unique. I felt that the show demonstrated potential and was particularly good for a first season.
As of writing this review, it has been 1 week since I finished watching Firefly and Serenity. During this week I have thought back to the show and verse many times and imaged my own adventures. I have also been very depressed about the premature cancelation (even though it was canceled 6 years ago). As it stands, the show is very entertaining and enjoyable, but not the best science fiction. HOWEVER, I honestly believe that if the show had been granted a full 7 seasons (like my favorite Star Trek series are) then it may have stood a good chance at dethroning my old time favorite.
As it stands, however, both the show and movie are excellent and thoroughly entertaining. I would rate the first season and first movie a 9.1/10 (which will round to a 5 star review at Amazon).
Just a great show
2009-12-26 - If you have any reservations about watching this show, drop them now. It is amazing. If almost 3000 reviews saying that it is amazing do not convince you, obviously you need to check it out for yourself. Trust me. Thank me later.
firefly - Serenity
2009-12-25 - Great SIFI. First I thought it was going to be a cheap show. Firefly is Awesome! well written story, actors are perfect for there parts, effects, CT image, you really get caught up in these episodes. I only wish they would have done more seasons. They ended with Serenity, that movie explains more of the players, Great movie also.
What a great series!! It's a shame it's cancelled. A Shame..
2009-12-18 - When I first heard about the Firefly series, I didn't know what to think. I've always liked Science Fiction in general, but after I watched a few of the episodes I was hooked. The characters are well done, the stories are excellent, and it's a joy to watch. Also, the witty humor is great! There is a strong sense of family and friendship in there while their flying on the frontiers of space. This is one of those gem's that was crushed by the corporation and still to this day has a relatively large and loyal fanbase. Don't believe me? Check out the sales and ratings of this lol.
I'm purchasing this from Amazon in my hope to get it jump-started again. At the bare minimum I'm hoping for a couple direct-to-dvd videos if that's the most I can get.
THE "6th" STAR
2009-12-17 - Since I have nothing original to add to all the glowing reviews, I just decided to give Firefly a 6th star, someone else can give it 7 after me. Anyway my two bits, is as follows: I'm always years behind on watching Sci-fi shows. So when I do my research I generally look for shows that are raved about by the fans (I just ordered the Farscape complete series last weekend), well this shows cup runneth over with praises. It doesn't disappoint. Buy it, borrow, rent it, etc., you'll be glad.
