Serenity

Name: Serenity
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Released: September 30, 2005
Duration: 119 min
Rating: 74
Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Gina Torres, Nathan Fillion

2005

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 814 Ratings

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8.3	User Score Universal acclaim based on 814 Ratings

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Serenity

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: September 30, 2005 | PG-13

Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Gina Torres, Nathan Fillion

Summary: This story of a small band of galactic outcasts 500 years in the future centers around Captain Malcolm Reynolds, a hardened veteran (on the losing side) of a galactic civil war, who now ekes out a living pulling off small crimes and transport-for-hire aboard his ship, Serenity. (Universal)

Director: Joss Whedon

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 119 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Peter Hartlaub

As challenging as it must have been to pilot Joss Whedon's space opera from the TV junk pile to the big screen, the finished product is a triumph. Read full review

Robert K. Elder

A brash, funny, action-packed bit of sci-fi ecstasy--and a giant raspberry to the execs who let "Firefly" fall out of the sky. Read full review

Kevin Crust

A highly entertaining piece of genre-blending fun. Read full review

Stephen Cole

After witnessing the wearying parliamentary debates among good and bad senators in recent Star Wars episodes, it's a pleasure to watch a sci-fi movie where more than just the spaceships move quickly. Read full review

Sean Axmaker

The film's strength is compelling character relationships and Whedon's trademark dialogue, a smarter version of the cliched action-movie barrage of wisecrack under fire, only better executed, laden in personality, and enriched with evocative western colloquialisms of a frontier culture. Read full review

Matt Singer

Though richly allegorical, Serenity also works as a rousing and unabashedly manipulative adventure that never takes itself too seriously. Read full review

Kyle Smith

If you can't be original, why not borrow from something no one has seen, like Ben Affleck's last five movies? Read full review

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User Reviews

JoeBlow

Sep 27, 2005

The characters are amazing, and the storyline is compelling. one of the best movies i've seen in a long time.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

WhiffleM.

Jun 14, 2008

What's not to love? An opening scene that changes perspective three times, followed by an extended-take tour through the ship, introducing all the crew members in the process. Like the much-lamented TV show, a labor of love. Buy it, as you'll want to see it again and again.

11 of 11 users found this helpful

DiMajor

Oct 2, 2005

I was on the edge of my seat the whole movie!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

AaronP

Dec 11, 2005

Great movie, a lot better than the others I've seen this year. I ended up renting the TV series, then buying it, because of the movie. Highly suggested. In both the movie and series. I liked the incredibly long shots. The camera work was different, not the same "I'm focusing on Great movie, a lot better than the others I've seen this year. I ended up renting the TV series, then buying it, because of the movie. Highly suggested. In both the movie and series. I liked the incredibly long shots. The camera work was different, not the same "I'm focusing on this and only this, watch this", it had a natural feel to it, glares, manual focusing, basically everything they tell you not to do in film school. It has you looking at what was happening but didn't make it feel 'controlled'. It gave me the feeling of being there, not being handed the movie. I also liked the cussing in Chinese.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

AlanR.

Nov 26, 2009

I had never watched firefly before watching this movie. my first move after watching it was to watch it again; and again, i then went out and bought the firefly season on DVD. i cannot stress how amazing this movie and Joss Whedon's vision is.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

DaveF

Oct 8, 2005

The little touches set Serenity apart. For one, it understands the value of silence. Silence is the secret to effective horror and suspense, which the movie packs plenty of. That's why the cacophonous Star Wars prequels were so depressingly sterile. Outer-space flights and battles in The little touches set Serenity apart. For one, it understands the value of silence. Silence is the secret to effective horror and suspense, which the movie packs plenty of. That's why the cacophonous Star Wars prequels were so depressingly sterile. Outer-space flights and battles in Serenity are appropriately quiet, not just for effect but because apparently somebody was paying attention in physics class--sound requires a medium. The only audible ship battles take place in atmosphere. Why should I praise realism in a space western? I don't know...it was so refreshing to see! Also, taking a hint maybe from Spielberg's War of the Worlds, the Reaver heat rays look and sound menacing. These aren't the cute little blasts of Star Wars, but jagged beams of death that hum ominously. The Reavers' quick viciousness is shocking, and their predatory ships invite frightened fascination. (No spoilers here, just know that Reavers make Klingons look like Care Bears.) For all its balletic violence and clever lines, Serenity respects the golden rule: make your film character-driven and the action will have weight, the quips will hold interest, and even cowboy space opera is possible. The acting isn't perfect, and hackneyed cuteness occasionally surfaces. But by the ending… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JanW.

Sep 27, 2005

It was rubbish and Josh Weedon sucks! Ha, I joke you. It was great. Add a '1' to the '0' - or, better, read Tom C's review, it's fair minded and accurate.

0 of 7 users found this helpful

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75	#75 Best Movie of 2005
7	#7 Most Discussed Movie of 2005
37	#37 Most Shared Movie of 2005