Thank you all SO much for joining me on this Firefly/Serenity Journey. It really was something special. I am sad it's over but "you can't take the sky from me, there's no place I can be, since I've found Serenity"
The Journey continues in the Firefly Comic series available at Amazon. Kaley, Simon, Zoe, Mal, Inarra, Jayne and of course, River. Very well done books with all our old friends... and even a few ENEMIES ;) There was even a book that dove into shepherd Book's past. If you want the rest of your answers as well as new adventures, please, read these books!
Take comfort that they've made graphic novels that continue the stories, and board games. My personal favorite is Clue: Firefly Edition. Brown Coat for life ✊ ...suggestion, one day host a Clue:Firefly game night and record it.
I did the other way around, first the movie and then the series, because of the impact that it caused, so, to someone not knowing of the show the movie is just as good, you can get acquainted with the characters from square zero! Nicely done and a real homage and thank you testament to Firefly fans!
It still hurts, and I've probably seen it a hundred times. But if I'm being completely honest, the one that gets me the most is when Book says, "I'm not a member of your crew", and Mal replies, "Yes you are".
@@dmwalker24 You're not wrong there! Another great interaction was earlier when Mal said he'd have to tell him about how he knows so much about that life/world and Book says, coldly, "No I don't" not to be mean but just matter of factly. Yes, there's lots to say but he ain't going to be saying it because it's a sordid, terrible history (probably).
@@calibre97 Absolutely, and that's exactly why he and Mal have that friendship. If there's one thing Mal respects, it's someone willing to take a stand for what they believe in. And there's Books words again, "I don't care what you believe in. Just believe it"
"Mal, this isn't you! He's being so mean!" He told Inara earlier: If I start fighting a war, I guarantee you'll see something different. When the Operative killed all their friends, he started fighting a war. And we saw something different.
💯 I love how the show gives us little bites of how quick and Dead Eye of a gunslinger Captain Mal really is, sometimes it even had me wonder why a guy like Jane would so quickly heel when commanded by the captain.. then the movie starts taking away the last few people he loves and we finally see what has been bubbling under the surface ever since the end of the big war.. its almost terrifying but it's been there with us the whole time
@@donpietruk1517 👌 I miss good Doctor Who "I want you to tell your men to run away. I want you to be famous for those exact words. I want children laughing outside because they found the house of Colonel Runaway and when anybody asks you if it's in any way a good idea to go after the people that I love!!!"
@@donpietruk1517 Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. Lost primary dispatch, lost secondary dispatch in a training exercise. I got pissed. I mean, I was madder than a wet hornet. Assumed command with a portable radio and directed my troops to victory. Prevented the badguys from melting down my nuke plant. The funny part is, I had no authority to do it. I just grabbed the bull by the horns. But I got it done.
30:59 "Love keeps her in the air when she oughtta fall down." You ever notice how Nathan Fillion was looking right at you when he delivered that line? That was a message to the fans that this movie only existed because of their incredible support.
I’ve always felt that the Operative at the end, when he says “There’s nothing left to see,” is probably a very similar situation to what Shepard Book went through at an earlier time in his life.
Series gets revived and the Operative is the new Shepherd!!! Still keeping his word about Mal not seeing him again because he's a different person now! THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!
I love the double speak at the end when Mal asks Zoe "Think she'll hold together"? We assume he's talking about Serenity but he's really asking Zoe how she is. "She's torn up plenty but she'll fly true."
The fan base kept Star Trek alive after the original series was canceled. People invest a lot of themselves in stories that are worthy of the investment. This show should never be remade by anyone. It would be so screwed up, everybody trying to make this one better and everyone trying to make it their own then the personalities of the actors. Now I couldn't bear to watch it.
This movie is great at foreshadowing. When Jayne asks Mal how many of his soldiers came home from the war and Zoey tells him he needs to walk away it sends a clear message that crossing the line for Mal is losing friends. We later see Mal instantly change his behavior as soon as Book dies.
During River's badass fight scene against the reavers, that was the first time she was ever in full control. She had been living with the trauma of those reaver visions over and over again all this time, never knowing why or what they were. At Miranda when she says "She's ok" is because she finally knew why. With that understanding, she began to heal all proper like. Which was what let her be in control of herself from that point on.
Yes. However, I think the Alliance had brought A Reaver/Ex-Scientist/Important Person into a room with the psychics who could read their mind and tell them what happened on Miranda (or something like that)... or something that gave River first hand knowledge of what happened. --When I first watched this I thought that they brought in someone who 'knew" what happened on Miranda... but that wouldn't give River first hand impressions of what really happened... but I don't know, it's just a story. I love it. --Also I'd like to agree with you that she is in control from that point on.... but I also think there's STILL more story to tell about what 'burned up River's brain.' I, personally, could watch a few more seasons of Firefly exploring it.
@@moonblink No, they absolutely put someone who knew about Miranda in a room with River. Go back and watch the scene where they first find the recording. River mouths along to it as it's playing as if she's seen it before.
@@Jed_Rowahnn Yes, I think River met at least one Miranda first responder and perhaps a survivor. And she 'remembered' their trauma. But those memories were blocked until she sees the recordings 'again'.
Yeah, and that martial arts pseudo-pose she takes on the box art...hoo. Even when I was younger and in better shape I couldn't get as low as she does. Takes some serious leg strength.
True! In fact when they were choreographing the fight scenes for Serenity they found that it made sense to have her do most of her own stunt work because she was so flexible and had such amazing muscle control and grace.
So glad you gave Firefly and Serenity a chance. Giving it a chance is what the show needed to survive in the first place. But it's great now to see so many people discovering it and enjoying it. I took my daughter to a convention to meet Alan Tudyk (Wash) to prove to her that he was alive and okay. He signed a picture for her with the dedication "It's okay! I'm not dead!" She also got to meet Nathan Fillion and Jewel Staite and get her picture with them.
I saw an interview with him where he said, "he signed something for one girl "I'm a leaf on the wind" and when she read it, she ran away crying." He said, "He felt really bad about that one."
Wash's unexpected death, makes the audience suddenly feel that everyone is expendable and anyone may die. The wounding of so many of the cast puts the audience really on edge. Genius writing.
Also, it is the single most memorable moment of the film, if not the entire series. Wash may have been killed, but for the audience, he was immortalised at the same time...
@@barrystahr5849 And when Jayne asked Mal "How many in your platoon got out of there alive?" it puts the idea your mind that maybe it will be a repetition of the Battle of Serenity Valley.
@@brucebieberly4166 I was so angry at my parents for ruining it for me - "three big characters die" so after Book and Wash, I just spent the rest of the movie dreading who was next. Apparently they considered Mr Universe a big character...
Not really, it was necessary. Because the 2 unexpected deaths, were actors that said that they could commit to any further movies, so their deaths were both necessary but also sealed the fate of the franchise.
The opening scene with Simon and River's escape video and the Operative is one of the best introductions for a villain I've ever seen. In just a minute or two, we get such a clear view of just how intelligent, well-trained, and ruthless the Operative is and from the start we know the crew of Serenity is in mortal danger. It was a brilliant scene. The Operative is one of my favorite movie villains ever, up there with Hannibel Lector and Heath Ledger's Joker and Darth Vader ... probably better than Darth Vader. He's not a psychopath. He's an absolute believer in the cause of the Alliance and that evil actions are justified if the cause is righteous. He has no allusions about who he is and he doesn't seek these goals for himself. He kills people in the furtherance of the cause but he's not a sadist. And in the end when Mal shows him evidence that his cause his flawed, he doesn't seek retribution against Mal and his crew. He accepts the truth even knowing that it leaves a gaping hole in his own life. So yeah, fantastic villain and the actor who portrayed him was spectacular.
I always thought this was an amazing line "I'm not going to live there. There's no place for me there... any more than there is for you. Malcolm... I'm a monster. What I do is evil. I have no illusions about it, but it must be done."
@@obscillesk Totally agree. It shows the level of devotion the operative has. His belief in this future they're building is so great, he sacrifices his own sense of morality. He truly believes they're building "better worlds" and he will do anything to see it through.
Ahh true. He's not a not a psychopath, he's a legitimate sociopath because they are allowed to have political ideologies with no concern about what is needed to achieve their end goal. Amazing how this movie spoke to truth to the world we find ourselves in now and the extremes that hapless, physically incapable people (unlike The Operatives character) seem to think they are in the right to have the righteous views of over others and therefore can act accordingly.
@@potterj09 I'm not sure I buy that he was either a sociopath or a psychopath. He's a zealot, a true believer. His belief and trust are misplaced, but he's not suffering from a pathology.
I love all the subtle little details. For example things showing Jayne's growth without having to spell it out. When he talks about what Book told him he takes a drink then slides it to Simon. As much animosity as he had toward him before, now they're comrades in arms. Jayne get's tossed about because he made sure everyone else was buckled in before himself.
Yeah Jayne & Simon forging a bond was one of those brilliant moments. I'm far from a nerd but I've invested time in forging bonds with many Jayne's in my life. Heh :)
Yes, Jayne's actions in the series was so unforgiveable, but that moment was SO nice in that it showed he was 100% part of the group... in his own way.. "If you can't do something smart, do something right."
Cassie, we knew this movie would break your heart and give you hope at the same time. As a true 'brown coat' you will be watching this series and the movie again (and again). Your reaction/review has been the best I've ever seen, because of your love of the the crew and investment in the storyline. Stay 'shiny'!
I've watched several different reactors react to Serenity and Wash's sudden death. Cassie's reaction is second only to Natalie Gold's: th-cam.com/video/ovP5bwFJFtc/w-d-xo.html
I watch Firefly every year. I follow it with Serenity. I choke up after Simon is wounded and River is begging Simon to stay because he always took care of her. She stands, says: "My turn," and runs towards the Reivers.
Nathan Fillion played in a crime show 'Castle'. There were many references to 'Firefly' - he once dressed up as space gunslinger in a browncoat, in other they were investigating a murder on a sci fi fan convention - and he mentioned several great sci fi shows, among them 'that Joss Whedon show'. Some members of the 'Firesly' also appeared on Castle: Jewel Staite, Adam Baldwin, Summer Glau, Gina Torres.
Adam Baldwin's character Ethan Slaughter was funny. In contrast to _Firefly,_ he was the same sort of character but he could 'take' Nathan's character with a hand behind his back; then in his second appearance turns out Slaughter went to drama school to do musicals and he and Castle defeat a bunch of villains by running a _West Side Story_ dance scene on them.
It's funny when his daughter ask what he is and he says "I'm a space cowboy". And her response.. "Didn't you wear that like seven years ago? Get over it already". Brilliant.
It's not only a nice bookend for Mal in the film, but it also works following his "love for serenity" speech. He's shown throughout the show and film that he loves the ship and the ship falling apart makes him upset
It's never over. Browncoat status is eternal, and this story has repeat watchability. Speaking of repeat watchability, another great scifi show is the 5yr arc of Babylon 5 (and associated tv movies). Superb writing and compelling characters that you grow to love. Babylon 5 and Firefly are my top 2 scifi shows.
Dude, SAME. The one quote out of hundreds from B5 that has always stuck with me is Londo talking to Virr, "My shoes are too tight, but it does not matter for i have forgotten how to dance" my god that breaks me in shards everytime! t-t
after the first season of Babylon 5 and Captain Sheriden took over is when it started getting more interesting for me. Battlestar Galactica (the reimagined version) was contemporary of Firefly and is one of my favs.
@@Razzlion It had everything... Humor, action, horror, mystery, pathos, insight and redemption... tbe best of the essence of great SciFi: the human condition in extraordinary circumstances.
I absolutely second this. Overall the series is amazing, and while there are ups and downs (actors were still getting their legs in S1, and for a while, they thought S5 was never going to be, so some hasty rewrites snuck in), the series is groundbreaking for all the right reasons.
One of my favourite lines from this movie: The Agent asks Mal “Do you know what your sin is?” Mal replies “I’m partial to all seven, but right now I’m going to have to go with WRATH!” And I always thought that The Agent saved all those soldiers lives by telling them to stand down, as River would not have had any problem killing all of them.
She seemed to be honed into her psychic powers at the time. That look on her face seemed like she was "looking" for what they were going to do. I think knowing exactly when they were going to pull the trigger she would have been able to take them all out, Acting half a second before they did. Yes, they had guns, but she's not just going to stand there. She'd quickly make it close combat instead.
@@Logan_Baron you giver too much credit and fanboy a little too hard. She knew she was going to die there but at least she could give the crew a moment to decide to flee or fight.
@@Logan_Baron she couldn't "quickly make it close combat" with all of them at the same time. once her killing spree starts, someone is going to shoot her dead.
The seconds before the soldiers were told to stand down were the moment when I was actually fearing Joss Whedon might ruin that brilliant movie by pushing it too far. I was so relieved when he pulled another solution to that situation.
I can’t be the only person that wanted a spin-off show called “The Operative”… he decides to travel the outer-rim territories and see things through unclouded eyes… getting entangled with injustices he now sees and trying to reconnect with his soul. A redemption story for him and maybe even dying himself in the finally truly happy with his sacrifice.
Brilliant! Unfortunately, television producers don't want to take a chance and risk failure -- as success lies in sticking to established formulas. Be sure to watch and enjoy the upcoming premier of "CSI Omaha".
I wanted to see The Operative and Jubal Early again. Imagine a movie where the two of them meet and team up, it would have a real Mandalorian/Boba Fett buddy movie in space feel.
4:25 The movie had a difficult task. it had two wrap up a multi-season arc and be watchable by people who hadn't seen the series. I think they did a great job,
Finally I can have my say about Shepard Book. I think he used to be an operative, a believer, like Chiwetel Ejiofor's character. That's why he knew so much about crime and how people that come at you sideways. That's why he had some sort of ident card that got him such preferential treatment from the Alliance when he was shot. Book had moves from the very first episode when he took down the Alliance agent and kept Jayne from killing him. He also had quite an eye to have attention in the midst of raiding Niska's station to notice Simon's shooting abilities. Definitely more to the man than meets the eye and too bad he went out the way he did here. I think there was so much more of his story to be revealed. I think Book saw the truth and left being an operative behind, disappeared and sought a greater truth in seminary and eventually aboard Serenity.
Apologies, it's been a while. Zoe: "Isn't the Bible pretty specific on the subject of killing?" Book: "It is. However, it's a little more fuzzy on the subject of kneecaps."
I'm a business-y and respectable 49yr old married man with a kid, and I just got visibly and audibly excited when I saw your premiere countdown was up for S E R E N I TY !
When I first saw Serenity I hadn't even heard of Firefly. I instantly loved the movie and the characters and wanted more. Was then told it was a follow on from Firefly and had to watch it. The saddest part about that series is that if it had aired in the last 10 years, it would probably still be going.
I had not heard of either Firefly or Serenity. One day in 2006, I was flipping through channels on TV. This movie popped up, and I was IMMEDIATELY drawn by to it. The next day at school I asked another teacher if he’d heard of’Serenity’ before. Since we were teachers in a VERY small Alaska village, we started having Firefly parties at our home. My wife and I both became instant Browncoats.
I had never seen Firefly aside from a few minutes of Ariel one night while flipping channels, so I went into Serenity completely blind to the world and the story, but Whedon did SUCH a good job of introducing the characters and world to new viewers within the first few minutes of the movie that I instantly fell in love with it all. It tells you everything you need to know so naturally and organically within the film that it doesn't matter if you were familiar with the show or not. Then, about a year later, I managed to get my hands on the DVD set of Firefly and I fell even more in love with it, even knowing the end game. It's such a sign of strong story telling and world building that you can watch the whole thing backwards and it still makes sense. Wash's death completely shook me the first time I watched Serenity, even in the short time I'd known them I'd absolutely fallen in love with the character, and I was kinda mad that he got killed, but then I realized WHY he had to die, and why it had to be him specifically. Wash is the most innocent of the crew. He doesn't have a shady past, he's always good natured and funny, he's kind of the glue that holds the whole crazy crew together. With him dying, and dying so unexpectedly and violently, it absolutely shakes you to the core and makes the line "Do you think any of us are going to get out of here?" just a few minutes later feel so much more like doom. Without Wash's death, the end game of Serenity is predictable and full of generic tropes about the plucky troops pulling through a horrendous battle and having a happy ending. It strips every single character of any plot armor they may have had up to that point in a way that makes the whole end of the movie feel so much more fraught with fear and trepidation. Serenity is not just a good "firefly" movie, it is objectively a very good movie, period. The plot, pacing, and cinematography are excellent, the dialogue is snappy and memorable, the world it's built in feels plausible and real and suspending any disbelief is very easy. The chemistry between the crew is palpable and you can really tell that they all love the characters they play and are genuinely enjoying what they're doing. Chiwetel Ejiofor makes for an AWESOME antagonist in the Operative and you can really feel his inner conflicts and thoughts in the way he talks and acts throughout the film. The movie is almost as much about his character growth as it is about the rest of the crew, and I almost feel sad for him in the end because he loses his oh so strongly held beliefs that have been driving him to do evil things because he thought it was in service of something right, and he just feels so... empty. If they were to make a movie or show just about him, I would watch it in a heartbeat. Anyway... I've rambled long enough now. I've thoroughly enjoyed watching you go on this journey and others, so thank you so much for providing such quality content for us!
I had so much anxiety watching the leaf on the wind scene, knowing what was coming and knowing that you had to see it. My heart is still beating from it
"I'm a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar", and "I aim to misbehave" are two of my most common phrases. I did some research and found the man who designed the Browncoats for the show and film, including Mal's. I contacted him and he said he would make me a Browncoat just like from the show, but he would not add any hero parts, which means none of the bullet holes or other marks that were on Mal's coat. It cost a bit, but he took 18 measurements, making the coat completely customized to me. I even got my picture with the cast at a Comi-Con (minus Wash and Inara, they had prior commitments) but that is a tale for another time. (Shepherd Book did something for me, making him my favorite after that.) You asked about an EMP. An EMP is an Electro Magnetic Pulse. EMPs are normally created when a nuclear bomb explodes. In Sci-Fi circles, EMPs can be created by specialized devices. Well fellow Browncoat, I enjoyed your reaction to this fantastic, mega-wonderful film. And the ending, munching on popcorn with Mal then asking, "What was that?"... OUTSTANDING!! 😁😆😅🤣🤣🤣🤣
I had a cringe moment when Cassie kept saying that because I knew what was coming. Then Wash says it a final time, Cassie laughs, and Wash gets skewered. You can tell she was NOT expecting that.
There's actually a great documentary about how this movie got made. SO MUCH fan involvement. I believe the Serenity logo you see in this movie was even designed by a fan. They did a ton of legwork to get this thing made and it's a moving story. The Firefly community also raises lots of money for charity and such. The show is also beloved by the actors and everyone who worked on it. They were like a family and still keep up. They still do conventions together. There was one where several actors were there but Nathan couldn't make it, but they called him while on a panel and he picked up and joked around with them. Such a beautiful and beloved piece of cinema and fandom.
Rest In Peace, Ron Glass... Always breaks my heart that he wasn't in it more because he wasn't in great health but very glad they were able to include him anyway! Shepherd Book's appearances in this were so perfect that it was a fitting bookend (no pun intended) for the character. Not a comic book reader, but still took the time to read The Shepherd's Tale (and a few of the others) and the way that they expand and explain the 'Verse were fantastic. Book's tale wasn't what I expected, but was very satisfying none-the-less!
I randomly downloaded firefly of iTunes the first night in my new house back in 07. Did some unpacking and was like, I’ll watch an episode or 2 before going to bed. I binged the whole show, never went to sleep. The next day I think I bought Serenity and watched it. 😭
Its just so. damn. good! And one of the most intriguing things about the series is how the movie even came to be. An enclave of powerful assholes decided they knew better and tried to stop them, but Serenity still found a way to keep flying. And thats something that can be said of the show, and the crew within it. Mal's little speech about The First Rule of Flying feels like a personal Thank You to the fans from Joss for supporting the show as hard as they did. At least thats how I interpret it.
There was an old internet forum I was a part of where I made friends I still talk to decades later. When the DVD box set for Firefly came out one of the members put up a post called "Take the Firefly challenge", he'd bought two copys, one for himself and one to passed around for new folk to try out. Whilst I didn't take the challenge from him due to being on the other side of the world, it did prompt me to look it up for myself and it soon became one of my favortie series.
When I saw this in the theatres, I was convinced they were all going to die in that room. Read the books and the graphic novels, and you'll find out some of their past secrets. Great reaction, btw.
As a longtime Browncoat (who found her way movie-before-show!), I have love love LOVED experiencing this with you. I think it says so much about how special this show was that it doesn't matter who you are or what your typical taste in film/tv is...you have to love it!
This movie was my second exposure to Chiwetel Ejiofor (after Love Actually), and the first where he played a promenant role. I have yet to see something I didn't think he was absolutely fantastic in. As much as I loved Jubal Early's character and actor, and as much as I would have liked the continuity of using an established character, I _truly_ think Ejiofor did such a fantastic job I can't imagine it being anyone else. Also: make sure to watch as many outtakes as you can find for both the show and movie. 85% of the time it's Nathan Fillion goofing off, 5% of the time it's blaming Summer Glau (River) for a flubbed take even when (or particularly when) she wasn't even in the scene.
He has the lead in "Red Belt" a kind-of-complex kind-of-drama kind-of-fight movie. He's a terrific actor. He has so much _presence_ , so much _gravitas_ , you know? And never over acts. Never has to.
Wash's death sucks, and we all knew your emotional reaction to that was coming ever since you watched the first episode. Great film, great reaction, and thanks for taking us along for the ride.
It was a lot of fun watching you get drawn into this universe. I very rarely get movie star crushes, but I have been a fan of Morena Baccarin for quite some time.
I can confirm that the movie stands on its own really well - I saw this with friends in the theater and I had not watched the show yet. They did some pretty great sci fi on a limited budget and the characters all shine and have their moments.
I just binged all of your Firefly reactions and it was such a pleasure to watch you fall in love with Firefly and the characters. My heart broke for you a bit when you kept mentioning how much you liked Wash because all I could think was "Serenity is going to hurt her so much." I remember watching this in theaters and everyone gasping or yelling out when Wash was killed. Plenty of tears, for sure. I can't believe how far behind I fell on watching your reactions but I'm so glad you watched this and Firefly!
Mal: "I don't kill children." Operative: "I do, if I have to." It's like something you'd hear from the mouth of a Nazi. "I was just following orders." Sure, but your orders were to do some really horrific shit.
A line from the same scene (edited out in this video), Cap. Mal: "You did what was right, Shepard." Shep. Book: "Comin' from you that means...almost nothing."
It's a stark contrast between someone's view of sci-fi from never having seen it before ("it's all just lasers and spaceships and boys stuff" or something like that) to their view of it after they've seen a bunch of great sci-fi movies and shows.
The best sci-fi movies and TV shows are the ones that first and foremost are interesting, well crafted stories. The Sci-fi part is just an add on that can be good or bad. No amount of special effects and CGI can make up for a bad story.
You can tell she just has a big open heart, I imagine she feels just about everything deeply. That is what makes her reaction so much better than others, she is so genuine.
@@dongilleo9743 Yeah though that's not exclusive to scifi. Special effects, CGI nor costume design can ever mask bad acting, poor dialogue and bad writing.
I know we don't quite get as much resolution for Mal and Inara as we might like, but I think you see where the beginnings are laid out. That "Idon't know..." is so significant. And, there is a subtle detail in that scene I love. Every time we see Inara, she is "made up". Even if she is in a casual robe or simple dress, relaxing on the ship, her hair is perfect, her make up is perfect. In this scene, it is the first time we see *just Inara*, and she's being the most honest she has been in the entire time we've known her. She doesn't know what is next, but she's wiling to consider options. If she and Mal are to be a couple, they have a lot of talking to do, it can't just be a jump into each other's arms, as much as we might want that. But they have a *chance*. It's one of my most favorite romantic scenes ever.
The name "Reaver" is derived from the old term "Reiver". They were people who lived on the English-Scottish borders in the Middle Ages who performed cross-border raids (in both directions). Now, one of the Reiver clans was called "Armstrong", which means that the first man on the moon was also a Space Reiver.
My surname was one of the Reiver clans too. Does this mean I have to go and peel my face off? That was Henry the 8th times, by now most people of English or Scottish descent probably have a bit of Reiver in them.
@@pitmatix1457 Naah, all you have to do with people that diss/piss you off is: Rape them to death. Feast on their flesh. and wear their skins like "Jame Gumb.";)
The words "failed TV show" are interesting. In terms of its run, and the company cancelling it, then yes... but I think we can all agree that it was a successful TV show, as it created a world and a cast of characters that anyone who watches it believes in, and falls in love with. You don't get any more successful than that.
It wasn't a "failed TV show", it was murdered. Fox deliberately sabotaged it with their broadcasting schedule, so they could broadcast some cheap worthless sitcom instead.
I saw Serenity in theater before i'd even heard of Firefly. I loved the movie and was very much wowed by it. Mostly because it felt like a complete, fleshed out world, with characters that were complex already and you were just dropped into the story at that point - but it made sense. When I learned about Firefly I was thrilled that all the back story existed and I could see it. Just great all around. Love ya Cassie!
I saw this at the Edinburgh Film Festival when apparently the Browncoats crashed the booking site. Was amazing with the cast being there, and Nathan Fillion bounding up to the back of the cinema to hand out autographed poster... Was definitely the great atmosphere to watch it
I'm excited to watch this. You embraced Firefly so openly. Your genuine concern for the crew and involvement in the stories was a delight. Thanks for sharing this special ride. I'm happy. Here we go!
I always had the opinion that Shepherd Book was once either an officer in the Alliance military, or possibly an Operative himself. One that at some point became a Shepherd as a means of finding redemption.
The team behind "Firefly" and "Serenity" were also responsible for "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" "Angel" "Dollhouse" and believe it or not "Agents of Shield" any of those series will have the same kind of writing and action you liked about this. Matter of fact all of these actors have been mixed and matched in roles in all of those series as Wedon loved to work with the same actors over and over again. "Firefly" was his 3rd series and "Buffy" came first. To me each one of these were like 5 jewels in a crown. And i treasured them all.
You can't forget Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Neil Patrick Harris in the title role, with Felicia Day and Nathan Fillion (and Jed Whedon, Joss Whedon, and Zack Whedon). It's over-the-top silly, but some of the songs are just so catchy. 'Brand New Day' will never not give me serious chills.
I was a fan of the show from the beginning. I was heartbroken when the show ended and overjoyed when I found out there was a movie coming. I went to see it at a small theater in my home town that had two screens... both screens were showing the movie. When the Serenity shows up on screen the first time, there were cheers in the theater. Such great memories and such a fantastic show. It's an honor to have you among our ranks, Cassie. Keep flying!
Unfortunately, the movie only broke even domestically. A couple of commentators have blamed the name of the film as too nebulous to appeal to the larger audience. As a browncoat, I loved it. But perhaps something like 'Firefly' would have hit more notes. Who's to know... It certainly wasn't all that well promoted.
I think this is one of Joss Whedon's best bit of writing - he managed to make a film for the Firefly fans that also worked really well for those who had no idea about the TV show.
When the movie came out, my brother and I drove an hour to a theater which wasn’t knocked out by hurricane katrina to see it. As we left afterward, in shock, another fan came up to us in the parking lot and said he was about to see it, and asked what we thought. We replied it was amazing and emotional. I have wondered ever since what he told whoever asked him, as he left.
"You know what the first rule of flying is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take a boat in the air you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she oughta' fall down, tells you she's hurtin' 'fore she keens. Makes her a home."
Cassie, Now that you have seen the whole series and the Movie, I want to let you know that Mal and Inarra DO, in fact, become a couple in the official comic book continuation of Firefly by Dark Horse Comics written by original show creators.
@@deke76 Yeah, but they screwed up Book's backstory. Trying to stay spoiler free but the answer to Book's backstory should have come from this movie, not what they ended up doing in the comics.
I saw this in the theaters without knowing it was based on anything, and I can confirm that Serenity is an amazing sci-fi film that can absolutely stand on it's own. I loved it so much that I actually saw it three times on its opening weekend. When I went on imdb and realized it was based on a short-lived television series, I immediately ordered the complete series on DVD and have since watched the entirety of it at least a dozen times. For me, Firefly and Serenity are just about the most perfect sci-fi franchise ever, it's almost a blessing in disguise that it didn't exist long enough to become mediocre.
Book, in a former life, WAS an Assassin for the alliance, which is how he knew how that guy operated. i saw it in the theater and when they killed wash EVERYONE Screamed "NOOOOOOOO!"
Ooo, what a treat for a Monday. Glad you loved the movie, like so many of us do. There is a follow up book that tells the story of Book's back story, called "A Shepard's Tale". I think my favorite part of the movie for me is that River get's to show she's not crazy. She get's to show everyone else what she's seen, prove it's true, and the events of the film allow her to work through some of her trauma. Not that she'll ever go back to being how she was before the trauma, but she can start building a new life beyond that trauma.
Whedon's reputation has taken a big hit lately but his tv shows are just fantastic. Buffy, Firefly, Angel and the vastly underrated Dollhouse are all just incredibly well-done. Entertaining and sharp and emotional rollercoasters.
I have look in to the reputation thing a bit and it all is just sometime he was not so nice to people. (but if there more to it I missed fill free to tell me) But it did not come off as the big as it's been make out to be.
Right when it happened there was no reaction from you, like it didn't even register in your brain for a few seconds. Then the realization of what had happened to Wash hit you hard.
I just finished watching your reaction and I figured it out finally. You are being a Mom when you watch this show. Wanting to take care of all the members of the Serenity crew almost like more than friends they are children.
Wash's death was a brilliant (but brutal) piece of storytelling technique. After that moment, all bets are off. ANYONE might be killed, which ramps up the tension so much more than you usually get in a movie like this with an established group of characters. Avengers, Fast and the Furious, whatever. Usually they're protected by plot armor so there's no real anxiety for those watching it. Not here.
Joss made a commentary back in Buffy's early days to the effect of "The more anguish I put Buffy through, the more people watch the show". He sounded genuinely surprised. By the time of Serenity (and before that, tbh) he seems to have fully embraced that idea.
That also explains his later show on Fox, "Dollhouse," and he REALLY put the characters through some hell in that one. Dollhouse actually lasted several seasons, but it was still cancelled early, and the final episode did its best to put the show to rest, but I wasn't crazy about how it ended.
Great reaction! I saw a couple of YT reactors trash River as a character. I knew these were not reactors worth a drop of Jayne's spit. I discovered Cassie and knew she would identify with the entire Serenity crew. River had the toughest acting job in the series and film and she was fantastic!
Glad I missed those reactors. Only one reactor disappointed me (and others) on their reaction to this, and that was pretty much that they didn't understand the whole set up about River and the academy during the series. Glad I actually subbed to Cassie for other shows before she even started on the Firefly journey. This was a great show for her personality.
Those two British guys, right? I am fine with reactors having different views on things from myself, but they rather infuriated me. When the redheaded one of the pair kept making fun of and mocking River even after they watched Ariel and found out the torture she had endured, I was done trying to give them the benefit of the doubt!
@@amandabaker4678 That’s them, I wasn’t very impressed overall. They get on by seeming personable and looking good. They never go outside their comfort zone and stick to the same old fare. Their approach to Firefly was total bollocks, to use a Brit term. It wasn’t in the serialized format they are used to, so they couldn’t make any connection. Cassie is light years ahead with her approach, if something isn’t in her zone, she gives it a chance.
This movie is so under-rated, it is one of my favorites from back in the day. It is awesome that you found it, not many on the net doing movie reactions would even consider watching this movie, or don't know about it.. 2 thumbs up Miss Alberta!
The great thing about Serenity is that it works just fine as a stand alone film. I had never seen Firefly and had seen this first. The story and characters or so well done that you dont need the back story to enjoy it but then you DO have the back story
@@jaycievictory8461 Whedon said Book was the spiritual side of Mal that he lost in the war. If you look close in the Battle of Serenity, he says a silent prayer and kisses a cross around his neck.
Great reaction as always. Also, the best edited one I've ever seen of Serenity. Literally includes every scene I love seeing a reaction to from this wonderful movie.
This was my first time with Popcorn in Bed, but I'm an old time fan of Firefly/Serenity. Your commitment to the characters and reactions were adorable. Liked and subscribed.
I talked my friends into going to this movie, and they loved it. None of them had seen Firefly, and were surprised when I told them that it was based on a series. It was a wonderful send off for these characters that we grew to love. And they created a great villain in The Operative.
Shepherd Book, I believe, is a former alliance operative. If you think of all the things he knows, his ident card getting him treatment when he was badly injured and then the final conversation with Mal. As he was dying he said I don't care what you believe just believe. That was essentially what an operative does is they have an incredible belief in whatever they're doing. I would have liked Shepherd to have survived. I do Wonder if he knew about Miranda.
@@yemao1852 if that were the case his ident card wouldn't have done them any good when he was wounded. If you think about his final comments about believing and then think about the operative that was pursuing them it fits together pretty tightly.
@@JohnRodriguesPhotographer according to "Shepard's Tale" One-shot he was recruited to Independents intelligence before the war, than infiltrated to Alliance fleet, become admiral and help to destroy Alliance battle cruisers in one ambush.
I saw it for the first time when it was in the theater. I had never seen (or heard of) the series at that point. I fell in love and got the series on DVD soon after. Later I joined the "Can't Stop the Serenity" fan club. They used to host annual meetings where the movie was screened and everyone could watch it together MST3K style.
Thank you so much for reacting to Firefly!!!! I am not a huge fan of reaction videos but my husband made me watch. So glad he did because it was wonderful to watch my favorite show with you! It was almost like watching it for the first time again. Your appreciation for the show was so heart-warming and its awesome to have another Brown Coat out there in the Verse. Stay Shiny!!! 💜
“Serenity” really pulls off the impossible. It’s both a thrilling and satisfying cinematic experience for people who hadn’t seen “Firefly,” and a worthy and moving conclusion for those who had. I wish “Firefly” could have stayed on for eight seasons and explored all the cool things it was setting up, but if that couldn’t happen I’m grateful we got “Serenity.”
There's a theory that the reason the Reavers became what they were is that they're the percentage of Miranda's population who had some latent psychic ability. All the death around them drove them mad. They communicate the trauma they feel wherever they go, but their psychic tendencies mean they can still work together, seeing one another as kin. This also means that River is, in a way, like them; a traumatised psychic, and they might even 'read' her as like them. However, she was conditioned in a lab and has no link to them, which might explain why they became oddly hesitant to attack her at the end but she was able to scythe through them. I also always liked the theme of 'the Frontier'; things like Serenity's pulse beacon being removed, and Mal's nerve clusters being moved, show how negotiable the 'rules' become, the further away from the core planets you go. The Operative's tricks and methods become less effective. It's a blind spot in his thinking that's driven home at the end - a perfect world, without sin, is a world that is dead. As long as there's life, there's quirks and imperfections. I know Joss Whedon said that Wash's death served a purpose in making you afraid that none of them will make it through the end.
@@andromidius it's even possible that someone in the Alliance got the idea for weaponising conditioned psychics after seeing the results of the Miranda catastrophe and learning what the Reavers were. Who knows? Maybe that's where the show would have gone, in time.
@@butcherjsy8 I'm not saying that sin brings life; rather, I'm saying that life brings sin. It also brings virtue, naturally, but the Operative's idea of an earthly world without sin can only be a world where no-one lives to do so.
Pop-Cassie is, consistently, the most wonderful, pure, innocent and delightful woman to ever walk the planet. Her perspective is so alien and so BEAUTIFUL, I love it. I don't know who told her this was "good" or "happy" in a sense that Cassie would like or appreciate, but they were crazy and they were cruel ;D Poor Cassie! I feel her though... it's been years and I still feel a bit raw about Book and Wash. There's something about the dialogue between River and Mal that really warms the soul - I love that final scene between them, it's a favorite of mine not just for the movie, but the entire series, as well.
32:00 I saw this movie when it was first release not even KNOWING it was a continuation of "Firefly" that I hadn't seen up to that point. And you're right. It's a great movie to be loved.
Cassie, you are addictive. I can't stop watching your videos...Not that I want to. You are just the cutest, and the sweetest, and funniest reactor on TH-cam. As long as you keep making videos, I'm sure to keep watching.
I swear you and your sister have the best jump scare reactions! LOL. Serenity is one of my favourite movies, have lost count the number of times I've watched it. Such an emotional rollercoaster.
Can confirm that this movie works just fine as a standalone film. I saw this years before I even thought about watching the series and really enjoyed it. In fact, one of the things that led me to watch the series is because I enjoyed the movie so much. They do a great job of filling in the details of the universe to those who hadn't seen the show. I especially loved the long one-take at the beginning to give newcomers an instant layout of the ship, and make it really feel like a real place.
I was evil laughing to myself each time Cassie said how much she loved Wash. So glad that you made it to the end of the ride! It's definitely bittersweet, and I have to agree that getting just a little more of Mal and Inara would've been nicer. But I'm sure they don't take things slow after the movie
It makes me think, if the cast is interested in coming back, there's enough interesting stuff for a sequel to Serenity. We could get the Mal and Inara ending we wanted, and maybe tie up some other loose ends. Though hard to say if you could pull that off now, the cast moved on and being so many years since the last one now. Also Joss Whedon kind of getting soft cancelled it's hard to say where any sequel would come from. Whedon's last project for cancelled "due to the pandemic" so hard to say if he's on to another project, or if no one wants to touch him after cast and crew have spoken out against him for being a cruel bully behind the scenes. And his ex wife alleged multiple affairs.
I actually saw Serenity first and was completely blown away by the quality of the world, story and characters. The minute I found out that their was a TV series that took place with these characters before Serenity I was out to the shops to buy it and my goodness I have never enjoyed a TV series so much in my life and had to fight the urge to binge because I wanted it to last. I fell totally in love worth the characters, story, feel, absolutely everything about Firefly I loved and when I watched Serenity again, it was like seeing it on a whole new deeper level. I too had the mix feeling of loving the film and being heart broken it was over but the benefit of quality such as Firefly and Serenity is I can always rewatch and enjoy it even more every time. I've really enjoyed watching your journey with Firefly and Serenity, probably the most I have enjoyed of your videos since the Lord of The Rings because I knew you would love Firefly the characters and like LOTR you got to spend more time with the characters of Firefly and you get to know them and love them so much more as the story progresses. This was a great ride, I'm sure you will enjoy Serenity more next time as you will be less stressed for the characters, like we all were. Keep flying. 😎😁👍
23:45 One of my favorite parts of this movie is right here, where Mal does something so crazy that it actually makes the Operative lose his cool. Up to this point, he’s been in control of every situation, and even when River and co. escapes, he takes it in stride. But the sight of Serenity leading a fleet of reavers through the cloud is what finally cracks the facade.
Thank you all SO much for joining me on this Firefly/Serenity Journey. It really was something special. I am sad it's over but "you can't take the sky from me, there's no place I can be, since I've found Serenity"
shiny
The Journey continues in the Firefly Comic series available at Amazon. Kaley, Simon, Zoe, Mal, Inarra, Jayne and of course, River. Very well done books with all our old friends... and even a few ENEMIES ;) There was even a book that dove into shepherd Book's past. If you want the rest of your answers as well as new adventures, please, read these books!
Take comfort that they've made graphic novels that continue the stories, and board games. My personal favorite is Clue: Firefly Edition.
Brown Coat for life ✊
...suggestion, one day host a Clue:Firefly game night and record it.
Glad you went on it, short as it may have been. Best wishes for this new year.
I did the other way around, first the movie and then the series, because of the impact that it caused, so, to someone not knowing of the show the movie is just as good, you can get acquainted with the characters from square zero! Nicely done and a real homage and thank you testament to Firefly fans!
18 years later, Wash getting killed is still a punch to the gut. Every. Single. Time.
Too Soon
Every darn time
Hit me like a truck every time
Yup. A wound that doesn't heal.
Especially after going though the firefly Playlist
"Come on, Wash: if anyone can do it, you can."
I literally closed my eyes in pain at what you were about to be put through 😭😭😭😭
Yep. As long as he was flying, it was alright. Soon as they touched down though....
It will ALWAYS be too soon.
Yeah, I was dreading it, knowing it would hit our host hard. She’s very sensitive.
It still hurts, and I've probably seen it a hundred times. But if I'm being completely honest, the one that gets me the most is when Book says, "I'm not a member of your crew", and Mal replies, "Yes you are".
@@dmwalker24 You're not wrong there! Another great interaction was earlier when Mal said he'd have to tell him about how he knows so much about that life/world and Book says, coldly, "No I don't" not to be mean but just matter of factly. Yes, there's lots to say but he ain't going to be saying it because it's a sordid, terrible history (probably).
@@calibre97 Absolutely, and that's exactly why he and Mal have that friendship. If there's one thing Mal respects, it's someone willing to take a stand for what they believe in. And there's Books words again, "I don't care what you believe in. Just believe it"
"Mal, this isn't you! He's being so mean!"
He told Inara earlier: If I start fighting a war, I guarantee you'll see something different.
When the Operative killed all their friends, he started fighting a war. And we saw something different.
💯 I love how the show gives us little bites of how quick and Dead Eye of a gunslinger Captain Mal really is, sometimes it even had me wonder why a guy like Jane would so quickly heel when commanded by the captain..
then the movie starts taking away the last few people he loves and we finally see what has been bubbling under the surface ever since the end of the big war.. its almost terrifying but it's been there with us the whole time
@@BurnDoubt You push a man into a corner, don't be surprised when the fangs come out.
There's an old saying "Demon's run....when a good man goes to war."
@@donpietruk1517 👌 I miss good Doctor Who
"I want you to tell your men to run away. I want you to be famous for those exact words. I want children laughing outside because they found the house of Colonel Runaway and when anybody asks you if it's in any way a good idea to go after the people that I love!!!"
@@donpietruk1517 Been there, done that, got the t-shirt.
Lost primary dispatch, lost secondary dispatch in a training exercise.
I got pissed. I mean, I was madder than a wet hornet. Assumed command with a portable radio and directed my troops to victory. Prevented the badguys from melting down my nuke plant.
The funny part is, I had no authority to do it. I just grabbed the bull by the horns. But I got it done.
30:59 "Love keeps her in the air when she oughtta fall down."
You ever notice how Nathan Fillion was looking right at you when he delivered that line? That was a message to the fans that this movie only existed because of their incredible support.
I’ve always felt that the Operative at the end, when he says “There’s nothing left to see,” is probably a very similar situation to what Shepard Book went through at an earlier time in his life.
Yeah, Book was an operative
Yeah pretty sure we are kinda looking back in time and seeing Book's past
Series gets revived and the Operative is the new Shepherd!!! Still keeping his word about Mal not seeing him again because he's a different person now!
THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!
Book was 100% an operative at one point
@@17thknight yeah, there’s a graphic novel called Serenity: The Shepherd’s Tale all about his backstory.
I love the double speak at the end when Mal asks Zoe "Think she'll hold together"? We assume he's talking about Serenity but he's really asking Zoe how she is. "She's torn up plenty but she'll fly true."
Exactly
Its not even an assumption, its flat out stated in the commentary
Please say "double meaning" and not "double speak"... you're scaring me... I've read 1984 lmao
@@hulkslayer626 OMG Hulk book read?
@@dallesamllhals9161 Hahahaha 😆 yeah, because I am not Hulk... I'm Hulk Slayer 😉😝😆
It was a different era in entertainment history, when the 'fanbase' gave us this movie gem.
The fan base kept Star Trek alive after the original series was canceled. People invest a lot of themselves in stories that are worthy of the investment. This show should never be remade by anyone. It would be so screwed up, everybody trying to make this one better and everyone trying to make it their own then the personalities of the actors. Now I couldn't bear to watch it.
@@JohnRodriguesPhotographer Agreed. A remake with different actors would be tantamount to heresy in my eyes.
This and the Expanse rescue is what gives me hope.
Well, The Expanse was saved as well, sadly not completely but 6 seasons was a big win. The Expanse is in my opinion a "modern day Firefly"
@@rowaystarco Firehawks! I have hope it's going to continue somehow.
This movie is great at foreshadowing. When Jayne asks Mal how many of his soldiers came home from the war and Zoey tells him he needs to walk away it sends a clear message that crossing the line for Mal is losing friends. We later see Mal instantly change his behavior as soon as Book dies.
During River's badass fight scene against the reavers, that was the first time she was ever in full control. She had been living with the trauma of those reaver visions over and over again all this time, never knowing why or what they were. At Miranda when she says "She's ok" is because she finally knew why. With that understanding, she began to heal all proper like. Which was what let her be in control of herself from that point on.
Haha "all proper like"
Yes. However, I think the Alliance had brought A Reaver/Ex-Scientist/Important Person into a room with the psychics who could read their mind and tell them what happened on Miranda (or something like that)... or something that gave River first hand knowledge of what happened.
--When I first watched this I thought that they brought in someone who 'knew" what happened on Miranda... but that wouldn't give River first hand impressions of what really happened... but I don't know, it's just a story. I love it.
--Also I'd like to agree with you that she is in control from that point on.... but I also think there's STILL more story to tell about what 'burned up River's brain.' I, personally, could watch a few more seasons of Firefly exploring it.
When I watched the series on DVD for the first time, I could tell this is going to be BIG. I guess that's why they killed it.
Satanists!!
@@moonblink No, they absolutely put someone who knew about Miranda in a room with River. Go back and watch the scene where they first find the recording. River mouths along to it as it's playing as if she's seen it before.
@@Jed_Rowahnn Yes, I think River met at least one Miranda first responder and perhaps a survivor. And she 'remembered' their trauma. But those memories were blocked until she sees the recordings 'again'.
Summer was/is a professional dancer. That's a big reason her fight scenes flow so smoothly.
Yeah, and that martial arts pseudo-pose she takes on the box art...hoo. Even when I was younger and in better shape I couldn't get as low as she does. Takes some serious leg strength.
Yep. Actually her first TV part was in Angel's episode Waiting in the Wings and she played a ballet dancer.
@@ibgvox That would explain that scene in the chronicals of sarah conners. (I never understood why a robot was doing ballet)
Summer gets to show off more of her dance skills in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.
...another great series that was ended too soon.
True! In fact when they were choreographing the fight scenes for Serenity they found that it made sense to have her do most of her own stunt work because she was so flexible and had such amazing muscle control and grace.
So glad you gave Firefly and Serenity a chance. Giving it a chance is what the show needed to survive in the first place. But it's great now to see so many people discovering it and enjoying it.
I took my daughter to a convention to meet Alan Tudyk (Wash) to prove to her that he was alive and okay. He signed a picture for her with the dedication "It's okay! I'm not dead!" She also got to meet Nathan Fillion and Jewel Staite and get her picture with them.
That is ridiculously adorable.
How awesome is that? I've heard Alan Tudyk is a really great guy to fans and when he gets stopped on the street.
Honestly, I think Joss Whedon just needed a better publicist back in the 90s/2000s.
I saw an interview with him where he said, "he signed something for one girl "I'm a leaf on the wind" and when she read it, she ran away crying." He said, "He felt really bad about that one."
@@Tantalus010 he had someone good enough to hide all the pervy weird stuff he was into that is leaking out now
Wash's unexpected death, makes the audience suddenly feel that everyone is expendable and anyone may die. The wounding of so many of the cast puts the audience really on edge. Genius writing.
Also, it is the single most memorable moment of the film, if not the entire series. Wash may have been killed, but for the audience, he was immortalised at the same time...
Josh Weadon writing? Nobody is safe, anyone could die
@@barrystahr5849 And when Jayne asked Mal "How many in your platoon got out of there alive?" it puts the idea your mind that maybe it will be a repetition of the Battle of Serenity Valley.
@@brucebieberly4166 I was so angry at my parents for ruining it for me - "three big characters die" so after Book and Wash, I just spent the rest of the movie dreading who was next. Apparently they considered Mr Universe a big character...
Not really, it was necessary.
Because the 2 unexpected deaths, were actors that said that they could commit to any further movies, so their deaths were both necessary but also sealed the fate of the franchise.
The opening scene with Simon and River's escape video and the Operative is one of the best introductions for a villain I've ever seen. In just a minute or two, we get such a clear view of just how intelligent, well-trained, and ruthless the Operative is and from the start we know the crew of Serenity is in mortal danger. It was a brilliant scene. The Operative is one of my favorite movie villains ever, up there with Hannibel Lector and Heath Ledger's Joker and Darth Vader ... probably better than Darth Vader. He's not a psychopath. He's an absolute believer in the cause of the Alliance and that evil actions are justified if the cause is righteous. He has no allusions about who he is and he doesn't seek these goals for himself. He kills people in the furtherance of the cause but he's not a sadist. And in the end when Mal shows him evidence that his cause his flawed, he doesn't seek retribution against Mal and his crew. He accepts the truth even knowing that it leaves a gaping hole in his own life. So yeah, fantastic villain and the actor who portrayed him was spectacular.
I always thought this was an amazing line "I'm not going to live there. There's no place for me there... any more than there is for you. Malcolm... I'm a monster. What I do is evil. I have no illusions about it, but it must be done."
@@obscillesk Totally agree. It shows the level of devotion the operative has. His belief in this future they're building is so great, he sacrifices his own sense of morality. He truly believes they're building "better worlds" and he will do anything to see it through.
Ahh true. He's not a not a psychopath, he's a legitimate sociopath because they are allowed to have political ideologies with no concern about what is needed to achieve their end goal. Amazing how this movie spoke to truth to the world we find ourselves in now and the extremes that hapless, physically incapable people (unlike The Operatives character) seem to think they are in the right to have the righteous views of over others and therefore can act accordingly.
@@Michael-cf9cj Weyland Yutani was building better worlds. This in a sci-fi trope going back to 1979 :P
@@potterj09 I'm not sure I buy that he was either a sociopath or a psychopath. He's a zealot, a true believer. His belief and trust are misplaced, but he's not suffering from a pathology.
This is, literally, one of the best sci-fi films of all time. The TV show was great as well. Serenity needs to keep aflight!
I love all the subtle little details. For example things showing Jayne's growth without having to spell it out. When he talks about what Book told him he takes a drink then slides it to Simon. As much animosity as he had toward him before, now they're comrades in arms. Jayne get's tossed about because he made sure everyone else was buckled in before himself.
i never noticed that,thats awesome
Yeah Jayne & Simon forging a bond was one of those brilliant moments. I'm far from a nerd but I've invested time in forging bonds with many Jayne's in my life. Heh :)
Yes, Jayne's actions in the series was so unforgiveable, but that moment was SO nice in that it showed he was 100% part of the group... in his own way.. "If you can't do something smart, do something right."
Not gonna lie, I get teared up right along with you, even though I've seen this movie countless times.
Gets me every time.
Cassie, we knew this movie would break your heart and give you hope at the same time. As a true 'brown coat' you will be watching this series and the movie again (and again). Your reaction/review has been the best I've ever seen, because of your love of the the crew and investment in the storyline. Stay 'shiny'!
I've watched several different reactors react to Serenity and Wash's sudden death. Cassie's reaction is second only to Natalie Gold's: th-cam.com/video/ovP5bwFJFtc/w-d-xo.html
@@sethdoejersey If she's fake, then she's an incredible actress.
Thanks for your opinion, but I'll stick with mine.
@@sethdoejersey I meant it as a compliment. Sorry you're too cynical to comprehend that.
I watch Firefly every year. I follow it with Serenity.
I choke up after Simon is wounded and River is begging Simon to stay because he always took care of her. She stands, says: "My turn," and runs towards the Reivers.
After Show Reactions had to stop the video because of the shock th-cam.com/video/ZyUvLrIjZww/w-d-xo.html
Firefly and Serenity are two of the best pieces of entertainment that came out of Hollywood. Shame that Firefly ended so early.
Nathan Fillion played in a crime show 'Castle'. There were many references to 'Firefly' - he once dressed up as space gunslinger in a browncoat, in other they were investigating a murder on a sci fi fan convention - and he mentioned several great sci fi shows, among them 'that Joss Whedon show'. Some members of the 'Firesly' also appeared on Castle: Jewel Staite, Adam Baldwin, Summer Glau, Gina Torres.
Adam Baldwin's character Ethan Slaughter was funny. In contrast to _Firefly,_ he was the same sort of character but he could 'take' Nathan's character with a hand behind his back; then in his second appearance turns out Slaughter went to drama school to do musicals and he and Castle defeat a bunch of villains by running a _West Side Story_ dance scene on them.
Tudyk had a pretty good cameo on The Rookie too.
@@marklittrell3202 oh, haven't seen that one!
It's funny when his daughter ask what he is and he says "I'm a space cowboy". And her response.. "Didn't you wear that like seven years ago? Get over it already". Brilliant.
Also, going into a room full of Chinese people and Castle, speaking Chinese, tells them (something) "You speak Chinese? "A tv show I love"
34:36 The popcorn crunch followed by Mal's "What was that!?" soundbite at the very end of your reaction was great!
Easter Egg!
It's not only a nice bookend for Mal in the film, but it also works following his "love for serenity" speech. He's shown throughout the show and film that he loves the ship and the ship falling apart makes him upset
@@nightwingjosh8491 Yeah but we're talking about what Popcorn did with it :)
It's never over. Browncoat status is eternal, and this story has repeat watchability.
Speaking of repeat watchability, another great scifi show is the 5yr arc of Babylon 5 (and associated tv movies). Superb writing and compelling characters that you grow to love.
Babylon 5 and Firefly are my top 2 scifi shows.
Dude, SAME.
The one quote out of hundreds from B5 that has always stuck with me is Londo talking to Virr, "My shoes are too tight, but it does not matter for i have forgotten how to dance" my god that breaks me in shards everytime! t-t
Gorram frak
after the first season of Babylon 5 and Captain Sheriden took over is when it started getting more interesting for me. Battlestar Galactica (the reimagined version) was contemporary of Firefly and is one of my favs.
@@Razzlion It had everything... Humor, action, horror, mystery, pathos, insight and redemption... tbe best of the essence of great SciFi: the human condition in extraordinary circumstances.
I absolutely second this. Overall the series is amazing, and while there are ups and downs (actors were still getting their legs in S1, and for a while, they thought S5 was never going to be, so some hasty rewrites snuck in), the series is groundbreaking for all the right reasons.
"I feel like she needs a cardigan." I love watching you.
I'm so glad you joined the Firefly family and I could take this journey with you.
Umm, what's a cardigan?
@@chuchulainn9275 it's when you're playing cards and you have to draw another card. You take a card again.
One of my favourite lines from this movie:
The Agent asks Mal “Do you know what your sin is?”
Mal replies “I’m partial to all seven, but right now I’m going to have to go with WRATH!”
And I always thought that The Agent saved all those soldiers lives by telling them to stand down, as River would not have had any problem killing all of them.
she might have taken out some of them, but they had guns and some were quite far away. it wasn't a fight river was going to win.
She seemed to be honed into her psychic powers at the time. That look on her face seemed like she was "looking" for what they were going to do. I think knowing exactly when they were going to pull the trigger she would have been able to take them all out, Acting half a second before they did. Yes, they had guns, but she's not just going to stand there. She'd quickly make it close combat instead.
@@Logan_Baron you giver too much credit and fanboy a little too hard.
She knew she was going to die there but at least she could give the crew a moment to decide to flee or fight.
@@Logan_Baron
she couldn't "quickly make it close combat" with all of them at the same time. once her killing spree starts, someone is going to shoot her dead.
The seconds before the soldiers were told to stand down were the moment when I was actually fearing Joss Whedon might ruin that brilliant movie by pushing it too far. I was so relieved when he pulled another solution to that situation.
I can’t be the only person that wanted a spin-off show called “The Operative”… he decides to travel the outer-rim territories and see things through unclouded eyes… getting entangled with injustices he now sees and trying to reconnect with his soul. A redemption story for him and maybe even dying himself in the finally truly happy with his sacrifice.
That could be an interesting show.
The Equalizer in space!
Brilliant! Unfortunately, television producers don't want to take a chance and risk failure -- as success lies in sticking to established formulas. Be sure to watch and enjoy the upcoming premier of "CSI Omaha".
That story description is not far from what Shepard Book is doing in Firefly.
I wanted to see The Operative and Jubal Early again. Imagine a movie where the two of them meet and team up, it would have a real Mandalorian/Boba Fett buddy movie in space feel.
4:25 The movie had a difficult task. it had two wrap up a multi-season arc and be watchable by people who hadn't seen the series. I think they did a great job,
Finally I can have my say about Shepard Book. I think he used to be an operative, a believer, like Chiwetel Ejiofor's character. That's why he knew so much about crime and how people that come at you sideways. That's why he had some sort of ident card that got him such preferential treatment from the Alliance when he was shot. Book had moves from the very first episode when he took down the Alliance agent and kept Jayne from killing him. He also had quite an eye to have attention in the midst of raiding Niska's station to notice Simon's shooting abilities. Definitely more to the man than meets the eye and too bad he went out the way he did here. I think there was so much more of his story to be revealed. I think Book saw the truth and left being an operative behind, disappeared and sought a greater truth in seminary and eventually aboard Serenity.
This is pretty much canon. He was an officer of the Alliance and served on the IAV Cortez.
There's a graphic novel called A Shepherd's Tale that goes into his backstory.
@@feralart Yes correct
Apologies, it's been a while.
Zoe: "Isn't the Bible pretty specific on the subject of killing?"
Book: "It is. However, it's a little more fuzzy on the subject of kneecaps."
I'm a business-y and respectable 49yr old married man with a kid, and I just got visibly and audibly excited when I saw your premiere countdown was up for S E R E N I TY !
Quite frankly I’d be disappointed in you if you didn’t.
44 and the rest is the same!
Good to see a businessman with such a fantastic mustache
I'm 63 and I was anxiously waiting the countdown for the video.
52 year old and I really was looking forward to this.
When I first saw Serenity I hadn't even heard of Firefly. I instantly loved the movie and the characters and wanted more. Was then told it was a follow on from Firefly and had to watch it. The saddest part about that series is that if it had aired in the last 10 years, it would probably still be going.
I had not heard of either Firefly or Serenity. One day in 2006, I was flipping through channels on TV. This movie popped up, and I was IMMEDIATELY drawn by to it. The next day at school I asked another teacher if he’d heard of’Serenity’ before. Since we were teachers in a VERY small Alaska village, we started having Firefly parties at our home. My wife and I both became instant Browncoats.
I had never seen Firefly aside from a few minutes of Ariel one night while flipping channels, so I went into Serenity completely blind to the world and the story, but Whedon did SUCH a good job of introducing the characters and world to new viewers within the first few minutes of the movie that I instantly fell in love with it all. It tells you everything you need to know so naturally and organically within the film that it doesn't matter if you were familiar with the show or not. Then, about a year later, I managed to get my hands on the DVD set of Firefly and I fell even more in love with it, even knowing the end game. It's such a sign of strong story telling and world building that you can watch the whole thing backwards and it still makes sense.
Wash's death completely shook me the first time I watched Serenity, even in the short time I'd known them I'd absolutely fallen in love with the character, and I was kinda mad that he got killed, but then I realized WHY he had to die, and why it had to be him specifically. Wash is the most innocent of the crew. He doesn't have a shady past, he's always good natured and funny, he's kind of the glue that holds the whole crazy crew together. With him dying, and dying so unexpectedly and violently, it absolutely shakes you to the core and makes the line "Do you think any of us are going to get out of here?" just a few minutes later feel so much more like doom. Without Wash's death, the end game of Serenity is predictable and full of generic tropes about the plucky troops pulling through a horrendous battle and having a happy ending. It strips every single character of any plot armor they may have had up to that point in a way that makes the whole end of the movie feel so much more fraught with fear and trepidation.
Serenity is not just a good "firefly" movie, it is objectively a very good movie, period. The plot, pacing, and cinematography are excellent, the dialogue is snappy and memorable, the world it's built in feels plausible and real and suspending any disbelief is very easy. The chemistry between the crew is palpable and you can really tell that they all love the characters they play and are genuinely enjoying what they're doing. Chiwetel Ejiofor makes for an AWESOME antagonist in the Operative and you can really feel his inner conflicts and thoughts in the way he talks and acts throughout the film. The movie is almost as much about his character growth as it is about the rest of the crew, and I almost feel sad for him in the end because he loses his oh so strongly held beliefs that have been driving him to do evil things because he thought it was in service of something right, and he just feels so... empty. If they were to make a movie or show just about him, I would watch it in a heartbeat.
Anyway... I've rambled long enough now. I've thoroughly enjoyed watching you go on this journey and others, so thank you so much for providing such quality content for us!
I had so much anxiety watching the leaf on the wind scene, knowing what was coming and knowing that you had to see it. My heart is still beating from it
"I'm a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar", and "I aim to misbehave" are two of my most common phrases.
I did some research and found the man who designed the Browncoats for the show and film, including Mal's. I contacted him and he said he would make me a Browncoat just like from the show, but he would not add any hero parts, which means none of the bullet holes or other marks that were on Mal's coat. It cost a bit, but he took 18 measurements, making the coat completely customized to me. I even got my picture with the cast at a Comi-Con (minus Wash and Inara, they had prior commitments) but that is a tale for another time. (Shepherd Book did something for me, making him my favorite after that.)
You asked about an EMP. An EMP is an Electro Magnetic Pulse. EMPs are normally created when a nuclear bomb explodes. In Sci-Fi circles, EMPs can be created by specialized devices.
Well fellow Browncoat, I enjoyed your reaction to this fantastic, mega-wonderful film. And the ending, munching on popcorn with Mal then asking, "What was that?"... OUTSTANDING!! 😁😆😅🤣🤣🤣🤣
Simmons: Oh you mean an emp.
I had a cringe moment when Cassie kept saying that because I knew what was coming. Then Wash says it a final time, Cassie laughs, and Wash gets skewered. You can tell she was NOT expecting that.
@@chuchulainn9275 Nice to see a man of red vs blue culture
@@jeffburnham6611 Indeed.
"Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal"
There's actually a great documentary about how this movie got made. SO MUCH fan involvement. I believe the Serenity logo you see in this movie was even designed by a fan. They did a ton of legwork to get this thing made and it's a moving story. The Firefly community also raises lots of money for charity and such. The show is also beloved by the actors and everyone who worked on it. They were like a family and still keep up. They still do conventions together. There was one where several actors were there but Nathan couldn't make it, but they called him while on a panel and he picked up and joked around with them. Such a beautiful and beloved piece of cinema and fandom.
Rest In Peace, Ron Glass... Always breaks my heart that he wasn't in it more because he wasn't in great health but very glad they were able to include him anyway! Shepherd Book's appearances in this were so perfect that it was a fitting bookend (no pun intended) for the character.
Not a comic book reader, but still took the time to read The Shepherd's Tale (and a few of the others) and the way that they expand and explain the 'Verse were fantastic. Book's tale wasn't what I expected, but was very satisfying none-the-less!
I randomly downloaded firefly of iTunes the first night in my new house back in 07. Did some unpacking and was like, I’ll watch an episode or 2 before going to bed. I binged the whole show, never went to sleep. The next day I think I bought Serenity and watched it. 😭
Its just so. damn. good! And one of the most intriguing things about the series is how the movie even came to be. An enclave of powerful assholes decided they knew better and tried to stop them, but Serenity still found a way to keep flying. And thats something that can be said of the show, and the crew within it.
Mal's little speech about The First Rule of Flying feels like a personal Thank You to the fans from Joss for supporting the show as hard as they did. At least thats how I interpret it.
There was an old internet forum I was a part of where I made friends I still talk to decades later. When the DVD box set for Firefly came out one of the members put up a post called "Take the Firefly challenge", he'd bought two copys, one for himself and one to passed around for new folk to try out. Whilst I didn't take the challenge from him due to being on the other side of the world, it did prompt me to look it up for myself and it soon became one of my favortie series.
When I saw this in the theatres, I was convinced they were all going to die in that room. Read the books and the graphic novels, and you'll find out some of their past secrets. Great reaction, btw.
As a longtime Browncoat (who found her way movie-before-show!), I have love love LOVED experiencing this with you. I think it says so much about how special this show was that it doesn't matter who you are or what your typical taste in film/tv is...you have to love it!
This movie was my second exposure to Chiwetel Ejiofor (after Love Actually), and the first where he played a promenant role. I have yet to see something I didn't think he was absolutely fantastic in. As much as I loved Jubal Early's character and actor, and as much as I would have liked the continuity of using an established character, I _truly_ think Ejiofor did such a fantastic job I can't imagine it being anyone else.
Also: make sure to watch as many outtakes as you can find for both the show and movie. 85% of the time it's Nathan Fillion goofing off, 5% of the time it's blaming Summer Glau (River) for a flubbed take even when (or particularly when) she wasn't even in the scene.
He has the lead in "Red Belt" a kind-of-complex kind-of-drama kind-of-fight movie. He's a terrific actor. He has so much _presence_ , so much _gravitas_ , you know? And never over acts. Never has to.
I love the attention to detail, you can see the scar on Mall’s chest from when Crow threw that skinning knife back in “The Train Job”.
Wash's death sucks, and we all knew your emotional reaction to that was coming ever since you watched the first episode. Great film, great reaction, and thanks for taking us along for the ride.
Haven't viewed the series myself, but knew about Wash.
It was a lot of fun watching you get drawn into this universe. I very rarely get movie star crushes, but I have been a fan of Morena Baccarin for quite some time.
I can confirm that the movie stands on its own really well - I saw this with friends in the theater and I had not watched the show yet. They did some pretty great sci fi on a limited budget and the characters all shine and have their moments.
I just binged all of your Firefly reactions and it was such a pleasure to watch you fall in love with Firefly and the characters. My heart broke for you a bit when you kept mentioning how much you liked Wash because all I could think was "Serenity is going to hurt her so much." I remember watching this in theaters and everyone gasping or yelling out when Wash was killed. Plenty of tears, for sure. I can't believe how far behind I fell on watching your reactions but I'm so glad you watched this and Firefly!
"They'll come at you sideways."
That line is amazing.
Just behind his line: Why is it, whenever I talk about belief, you always assume I'm talking about God?
Mal: "I don't kill children."
Operative: "I do, if I have to."
It's like something you'd hear from the mouth of a Nazi. "I was just following orders."
Sure, but your orders were to do some really horrific shit.
A line from the same scene (edited out in this video),
Cap. Mal: "You did what was right, Shepard."
Shep. Book: "Comin' from you that means...almost nothing."
For a person that never has really been into sci-fi, I marvel at how deeply you get into the shows and movies outside of your norm.
It's a stark contrast between someone's view of sci-fi from never having seen it before ("it's all just lasers and spaceships and boys stuff" or something like that) to their view of it after they've seen a bunch of great sci-fi movies and shows.
The best sci-fi movies and TV shows are the ones that first and foremost are interesting, well crafted stories. The Sci-fi part is just an add on that can be good or bad. No amount of special effects and CGI can make up for a bad story.
You can tell she just has a big open heart, I imagine she feels just about everything deeply. That is what makes her reaction so much better than others, she is so genuine.
@@dongilleo9743 Yeah though that's not exclusive to scifi. Special effects, CGI nor costume design can ever mask bad acting, poor dialogue and bad writing.
I know we don't quite get as much resolution for Mal and Inara as we might like, but I think you see where the beginnings are laid out. That "Idon't know..." is so significant. And, there is a subtle detail in that scene I love. Every time we see Inara, she is "made up". Even if she is in a casual robe or simple dress, relaxing on the ship, her hair is perfect, her make up is perfect. In this scene, it is the first time we see *just Inara*, and she's being the most honest she has been in the entire time we've known her. She doesn't know what is next, but she's wiling to consider options. If she and Mal are to be a couple, they have a lot of talking to do, it can't just be a jump into each other's arms, as much as we might want that. But they have a *chance*. It's one of my most favorite romantic scenes ever.
The name "Reaver" is derived from the old term "Reiver". They were people who lived on the English-Scottish borders in the Middle Ages who performed cross-border raids (in both directions). Now, one of the Reiver clans was called "Armstrong", which means that the first man on the moon was also a Space Reiver.
Nice one!!!
This 1969 movie introduced me to the term: th-cam.com/video/D7GlM_Wb_iE/w-d-xo.html
My surname was one of the Reiver clans too. Does this mean I have to go and peel my face off? That was Henry the 8th times, by now most people of English or Scottish descent probably have a bit of Reiver in them.
@@pitmatix1457 Naah, all you have to do with people that diss/piss you off is:
Rape them to death.
Feast on their flesh.
and wear their skins like "Jame Gumb.";)
The words "failed TV show" are interesting. In terms of its run, and the company cancelling it, then yes... but I think we can all agree that it was a successful TV show, as it created a world and a cast of characters that anyone who watches it believes in, and falls in love with. You don't get any more successful than that.
Joss Whedon had a talent for that
It wasn't a "failed TV show", it was murdered. Fox deliberately sabotaged it with their broadcasting schedule, so they could broadcast some cheap worthless sitcom instead.
"I feel like she needs a cardigan" Never change, Cassie!
"Or a leather jacket like Zoe"! 🙂
I saw Serenity in theater before i'd even heard of Firefly. I loved the movie and was very much wowed by it. Mostly because it felt like a complete, fleshed out world, with characters that were complex already and you were just dropped into the story at that point - but it made sense. When I learned about Firefly I was thrilled that all the back story existed and I could see it. Just great all around. Love ya Cassie!
Me too! Same.
Same here 😊
I saw this at the Edinburgh Film Festival when apparently the Browncoats crashed the booking site. Was amazing with the cast being there, and Nathan Fillion bounding up to the back of the cinema to hand out autographed poster... Was definitely the great atmosphere to watch it
I'm excited to watch this. You embraced Firefly so openly. Your genuine concern for the crew and involvement in the stories was a delight. Thanks for sharing this special ride. I'm happy. Here we go!
Hadn’t even herd of this series or movie. Your reactions have convinced me to watch it all from the beginning!!
Please let us know what you think ;-) -Jon
You're in for a treat !
Lucky you! You only get to watch it for the first time, once. One of the best ensemble casts and solid characters I've ever seen on a TV show.
*comment 1 year ago.. he's still crying for Book & Wash :(
I always had the opinion that Shepherd Book was once either an officer in the Alliance military, or possibly an Operative himself. One that at some point became a Shepherd as a means of finding redemption.
The team behind "Firefly" and "Serenity" were also responsible for "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" "Angel" "Dollhouse" and believe it or not "Agents of Shield" any of those series will have the same kind of writing and action you liked about this. Matter of fact all of these actors have been mixed and matched in roles in all of those series as Wedon loved to work with the same actors over and over again. "Firefly" was his 3rd series and "Buffy" came first. To me each one of these were like 5 jewels in a crown. And i treasured them all.
I'm a die hard buffy fan, glad to see somebody mention Dollhouse. It's massively underrated and does not get the love it deserves.
You can't forget Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. Neil Patrick Harris in the title role, with Felicia Day and Nathan Fillion (and Jed Whedon, Joss Whedon, and Zack Whedon). It's over-the-top silly, but some of the songs are just so catchy. 'Brand New Day' will never not give me serious chills.
@@RickLeMon The "Bad Horse" ringtone always gets me
Haven't seen it in a while but I remember dollhouse being really good. Another great whedon show cancelled too soon but at least it got 2 seasons.
Dollhouse does not get enough love or attention. That show was two great seasons. One great story. Some damn fine acting too.
I was a fan of the show from the beginning. I was heartbroken when the show ended and overjoyed when I found out there was a movie coming. I went to see it at a small theater in my home town that had two screens... both screens were showing the movie. When the Serenity shows up on screen the first time, there were cheers in the theater. Such great memories and such a fantastic show. It's an honor to have you among our ranks, Cassie. Keep flying!
Unfortunately, the movie only broke even domestically. A couple of commentators have blamed the name of the film as too nebulous to appeal to the larger audience. As a browncoat, I loved it. But perhaps something like 'Firefly' would have hit more notes. Who's to know... It certainly wasn't all that well promoted.
I think this is one of Joss Whedon's best bit of writing - he managed to make a film for the Firefly fans that also worked really well for those who had no idea about the TV show.
Quite amazing.
This and Titan AE
And when he was done, he tore it all down so that Fox couldn't just pick it up again.
When the movie came out, my brother and I drove an hour to a theater which wasn’t knocked out by hurricane katrina to see it. As we left afterward, in shock, another fan came up to us in the parking lot and said he was about to see it, and asked what we thought. We replied it was amazing and emotional. I have wondered ever since what he told whoever asked him, as he left.
Same thing, probably. It's a great description.
Your reaction to Firefly is the best reaction video yet!
"You know what the first rule of flying is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take a boat in the air you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she oughta' fall down, tells you she's hurtin' 'fore she keens. Makes her a home."
Storms getting worse....
"She is like an Avenger." Interesting comment, as Joss Whedan, creator of Firefly, directed the Avengers.
Cassie, Now that you have seen the whole series and the Movie, I want to let you know that Mal and Inarra DO, in fact, become a couple in the official comic book continuation of Firefly by Dark Horse Comics written by original show creators.
And she can get Booke's backstory!
@@deke76 Yeah, but they screwed up Book's backstory. Trying to stay spoiler free but the answer to Book's backstory should have come from this movie, not what they ended up doing in the comics.
@@stuartkinzel8195 Definitely should have been in the movie
One of the comics, A Shepards Tail, discusses Book's interesting background.
I saw this in the theaters without knowing it was based on anything, and I can confirm that Serenity is an amazing sci-fi film that can absolutely stand on it's own. I loved it so much that I actually saw it three times on its opening weekend.
When I went on imdb and realized it was based on a short-lived television series, I immediately ordered the complete series on DVD and have since watched the entirety of it at least a dozen times. For me, Firefly and Serenity are just about the most perfect sci-fi franchise ever, it's almost a blessing in disguise that it didn't exist long enough to become mediocre.
Book, in a former life, WAS an Assassin for the alliance, which is how he knew how that guy operated.
i saw it in the theater and when they killed wash EVERYONE Screamed "NOOOOOOOO!"
Ooo, what a treat for a Monday. Glad you loved the movie, like so many of us do. There is a follow up book that tells the story of Book's back story, called "A Shepard's Tale". I think my favorite part of the movie for me is that River get's to show she's not crazy. She get's to show everyone else what she's seen, prove it's true, and the events of the film allow her to work through some of her trauma. Not that she'll ever go back to being how she was before the trauma, but she can start building a new life beyond that trauma.
Whedon's reputation has taken a big hit lately but his tv shows are just fantastic. Buffy, Firefly, Angel and the vastly underrated Dollhouse are all just incredibly well-done. Entertaining and sharp and emotional rollercoasters.
Dollhouse is one of my favorites.
oh yes, Dollhouse was pretty good! I haven't seen that since it aired
I have look in to the reputation thing a bit and it all is just sometime he was not so nice to people. (but if there more to it I missed fill free to tell me) But it did not come off as the big as it's been make out to be.
@@FenixNade some of it was unaired.
@@keithsj10 She played a Russian Ballerina in Angel too!
Genuinely been dreading your reaction to *THAT* scene... think you held it together pretty well ;)
Right when it happened there was no reaction from you, like it didn't even register in your brain for a few seconds. Then the realization of what had happened to Wash hit you hard.
I just finished watching your reaction and I figured it out finally. You are being a Mom when you watch this show. Wanting to take care of all the members of the Serenity crew almost like more than friends they are children.
Wash's death was a brilliant (but brutal) piece of storytelling technique. After that moment, all bets are off. ANYONE might be killed, which ramps up the tension so much more than you usually get in a movie like this with an established group of characters. Avengers, Fast and the Furious, whatever. Usually they're protected by plot armor so there's no real anxiety for those watching it. Not here.
Joss made a commentary back in Buffy's early days to the effect of "The more anguish I put Buffy through, the more people watch the show". He sounded genuinely surprised. By the time of Serenity (and before that, tbh) he seems to have fully embraced that idea.
That also explains his later show on Fox, "Dollhouse," and he REALLY put the characters through some hell in that one. Dollhouse actually lasted several seasons, but it was still cancelled early, and the final episode did its best to put the show to rest, but I wasn't crazy about how it ended.
@@mhlevy Dollhouse just wasn't fun the way Serenity was.
George R.R. Martin knows this too. As does Stephen King.
His brother, Jed definitely took that lesson to heart when he and Maurissa Tancharoen did Agents of SHIELD.
It's certainly why "the body" is one of the best episodes of that show.
Great reaction! I saw a couple of YT reactors trash River as a character. I knew these were not reactors worth a drop of Jayne's spit. I discovered Cassie and knew she would identify with the entire Serenity crew. River had the toughest acting job in the series and film and she was fantastic!
Glad I missed those reactors. Only one reactor disappointed me (and others) on their reaction to this, and that was pretty much that they didn't understand the whole set up about River and the academy during the series. Glad I actually subbed to Cassie for other shows before she even started on the Firefly journey. This was a great show for her personality.
Those two British guys, right? I am fine with reactors having different views on things from myself, but they rather infuriated me. When the redheaded one of the pair kept making fun of and mocking River even after they watched Ariel and found out the torture she had endured, I was done trying to give them the benefit of the doubt!
@@amandabaker4678 That’s them, I wasn’t very impressed overall. They get on by seeming personable and looking good. They never go outside their comfort zone and stick to the same old fare. Their approach to Firefly was total bollocks, to use a Brit term. It wasn’t in the serialized format they are used to, so they couldn’t make any connection. Cassie is light years ahead with her approach, if something isn’t in her zone, she gives it a chance.
This movie is so under-rated, it is one of my favorites from back in the day. It is awesome that you found it, not many on the net doing movie reactions would even consider watching this movie, or don't know about it.. 2 thumbs up Miss Alberta!
underrated? i think it's acclaimed by everyone who watches it. it would be fair to say that not enough people have seen it tho.
29:27 is one of the most iconic movie images I have ever seen.
Damn I just love Firefly and Serenity!
The great thing about Serenity is that it works just fine as a stand alone film. I had never seen Firefly and had seen this first. The story and characters or so well done that you dont need the back story to enjoy it but then you DO have the back story
My family purchased Serenity for $4 at a bookstore while on vacation. We had no clue there was a TV series that went along with it for like 10 years.
When Mal tells Booke "yes you are" it just kills me every time.
Same!
I loved their relationship. How I wish we'd gotten more. Mal loved him in a different way than any other crew.
@@jaycievictory8461 Whedon said Book was the spiritual side of Mal that he lost in the war. If you look close in the Battle of Serenity, he says a silent prayer and kisses a cross around his neck.
@@sitrepproductionsatlanta8538 Yes, I know :)
Great reaction as always. Also, the best edited one I've ever seen of Serenity. Literally includes every scene I love seeing a reaction to from this wonderful movie.
This was my first time with Popcorn in Bed, but I'm an old time fan of Firefly/Serenity. Your commitment to the characters and reactions were adorable. Liked and subscribed.
I talked my friends into going to this movie, and they loved it. None of them had seen Firefly, and were surprised when I told them that it was based on a series. It was a wonderful send off for these characters that we grew to love. And they created a great villain in The Operative.
Shepherd Book, I believe, is a former alliance operative. If you think of all the things he knows, his ident card getting him treatment when he was badly injured and then the final conversation with Mal. As he was dying he said I don't care what you believe just believe. That was essentially what an operative does is they have an incredible belief in whatever they're doing. I would have liked Shepherd to have survived. I do Wonder if he knew about Miranda.
He was an Independent's spy in Alliance fleet.
@@yemao1852 if that were the case his ident card wouldn't have done them any good when he was wounded. If you think about his final comments about believing and then think about the operative that was pursuing them it fits together pretty tightly.
@@JohnRodriguesPhotographer according to "Shepard's Tale" One-shot he was recruited to Independents intelligence before the war, than infiltrated to Alliance fleet, become admiral and help to destroy Alliance battle cruisers in one ambush.
I saw it for the first time when it was in the theater. I had never seen (or heard of) the series at that point. I fell in love and got the series on DVD soon after. Later I joined the "Can't Stop the Serenity" fan club. They used to host annual meetings where the movie was screened and everyone could watch it together MST3K style.
Thank you so much for reacting to Firefly!!!! I am not a huge fan of reaction videos but my husband made me watch. So glad he did because it was wonderful to watch my favorite show with you! It was almost like watching it for the first time again. Your appreciation for the show was so heart-warming and its awesome to have another Brown Coat out there in the Verse. Stay Shiny!!! 💜
"And we will rule over all this land, and we will call it... this land" RIP Wash, thanks for a great reaction
“Serenity” really pulls off the impossible. It’s both a thrilling and satisfying cinematic experience for people who hadn’t seen “Firefly,” and a worthy and moving conclusion for those who had.
I wish “Firefly” could have stayed on for eight seasons and explored all the cool things it was setting up, but if that couldn’t happen I’m grateful we got “Serenity.”
_What was that?_
That, Mal, was all of us Browncoats mourning the end of this amazing journey.
There's a theory that the reason the Reavers became what they were is that they're the percentage of Miranda's population who had some latent psychic ability. All the death around them drove them mad. They communicate the trauma they feel wherever they go, but their psychic tendencies mean they can still work together, seeing one another as kin.
This also means that River is, in a way, like them; a traumatised psychic, and they might even 'read' her as like them. However, she was conditioned in a lab and has no link to them, which might explain why they became oddly hesitant to attack her at the end but she was able to scythe through them.
I also always liked the theme of 'the Frontier'; things like Serenity's pulse beacon being removed, and Mal's nerve clusters being moved, show how negotiable the 'rules' become, the further away from the core planets you go. The Operative's tricks and methods become less effective. It's a blind spot in his thinking that's driven home at the end - a perfect world, without sin, is a world that is dead. As long as there's life, there's quirks and imperfections.
I know Joss Whedon said that Wash's death served a purpose in making you afraid that none of them will make it through the end.
That theory makes a LOT of sense.
@@andromidius it's even possible that someone in the Alliance got the idea for weaponising conditioned psychics after seeing the results of the Miranda catastrophe and learning what the Reavers were.
Who knows? Maybe that's where the show would have gone, in time.
I'd never heard that theory. Very interesting! Thank you for sharing it.
You couldn't be more wrong about sin bringing life, it brings nothing but death.
@@butcherjsy8 I'm not saying that sin brings life; rather, I'm saying that life brings sin. It also brings virtue, naturally, but the Operative's idea of an earthly world without sin can only be a world where no-one lives to do so.
Pop-Cassie is, consistently, the most wonderful, pure, innocent and delightful woman to ever walk the planet. Her perspective is so alien and so BEAUTIFUL, I love it. I don't know who told her this was "good" or "happy" in a sense that Cassie would like or appreciate, but they were crazy and they were cruel ;D Poor Cassie! I feel her though... it's been years and I still feel a bit raw about Book and Wash. There's something about the dialogue between River and Mal that really warms the soul - I love that final scene between them, it's a favorite of mine not just for the movie, but the entire series, as well.
“She’s tore up plenty, but she’ll fly true.” Tears, every single time.
32:00 I saw this movie when it was first release not even KNOWING it was a continuation of "Firefly" that I hadn't seen up to that point. And you're right. It's a great movie to be loved.
Cassie, you are addictive. I can't stop watching your videos...Not that I want to. You are just the cutest, and the sweetest, and funniest reactor on TH-cam. As long as you keep making videos, I'm sure to keep watching.
I was genuinely in tears watching you watch this, what a great series and film
I swear you and your sister have the best jump scare reactions! LOL. Serenity is one of my favourite movies, have lost count the number of times I've watched it. Such an emotional rollercoaster.
The writing in this movie is amazing. "Serenity" was one of the best reviewed movies of 2005, of any genre.
Can confirm that this movie works just fine as a standalone film. I saw this years before I even thought about watching the series and really enjoyed it. In fact, one of the things that led me to watch the series is because I enjoyed the movie so much. They do a great job of filling in the details of the universe to those who hadn't seen the show. I especially loved the long one-take at the beginning to give newcomers an instant layout of the ship, and make it really feel like a real place.
I was evil laughing to myself each time Cassie said how much she loved Wash. So glad that you made it to the end of the ride! It's definitely bittersweet, and I have to agree that getting just a little more of Mal and Inara would've been nicer. But I'm sure they don't take things slow after the movie
It makes me think, if the cast is interested in coming back, there's enough interesting stuff for a sequel to Serenity. We could get the Mal and Inara ending we wanted, and maybe tie up some other loose ends. Though hard to say if you could pull that off now, the cast moved on and being so many years since the last one now. Also Joss Whedon kind of getting soft cancelled it's hard to say where any sequel would come from. Whedon's last project for cancelled "due to the pandemic" so hard to say if he's on to another project, or if no one wants to touch him after cast and crew have spoken out against him for being a cruel bully behind the scenes. And his ex wife alleged multiple affairs.
riiight?
Serenity's first 20 minutes are arguably the best in cinema history.
I actually saw Serenity first and was completely blown away by the quality of the world, story and characters. The minute I found out that their was a TV series that took place with these characters before Serenity I was out to the shops to buy it and my goodness I have never enjoyed a TV series so much in my life and had to fight the urge to binge because I wanted it to last. I fell totally in love worth the characters, story, feel, absolutely everything about Firefly I loved and when I watched Serenity again, it was like seeing it on a whole new deeper level. I too had the mix feeling of loving the film and being heart broken it was over but the benefit of quality such as Firefly and Serenity is I can always rewatch and enjoy it even more every time.
I've really enjoyed watching your journey with Firefly and Serenity, probably the most I have enjoyed of your videos since the Lord of The Rings because I knew you would love Firefly the characters and like LOTR you got to spend more time with the characters of Firefly and you get to know them and love them so much more as the story progresses. This was a great ride, I'm sure you will enjoy Serenity more next time as you will be less stressed for the characters, like we all were. Keep flying. 😎😁👍
My favourite line in this: -My Turn
23:45 One of my favorite parts of this movie is right here, where Mal does something so crazy that it actually makes the Operative lose his cool. Up to this point, he’s been in control of every situation, and even when River and co. escapes, he takes it in stride. But the sight of Serenity leading a fleet of reavers through the cloud is what finally cracks the facade.