Legs shot out by Universal

POSTED BY: Goattail
UPDATED: Thursday, October 27, 2005 16:03
VIEWED: 6796
PAGE 2 of 3

PREV PAGE 1 2 3 NEXT PAGE

3HEADEDMONKEY

Thursday, October 27, 2005 2:59 AM

that's a bit harsh saying that Universal shot out its legs isnt it? It's like you're saying they deliberatley were trying to make Serenity not be a hit. they were the ones who supported us and let us have a movie when no one else did. im not mad at them, im grateful for everything they did for us.

FOLLOWMAL

Thursday, October 27, 2005 3:03 AM

It's own excellence and we will carry it!!!

FollowMal

GROOSALUGG

Thursday, October 27, 2005 3:08 AM

I know some people have said they saw lots of Serenity commercials on TV in the two weeks leading up to it, but I guess I was watching the wrong channels or something, 'cause I only saw a handful. Meanwhile, I probably saw 3 times as many for Into the Blue...

CHINDI

Thursday, October 27, 2005 3:31 AM

and on the other hand...

the less money spent on promo.. the less money there is to recoup.. so the sooner the movie goes into the black...

so... maybe there is a shiny side to this too!

Saffron: He's my husband.
Mal: Well who in the damn galaxy ain't?

Yee-frickin-haw!

Chindi

THOLO

Thursday, October 27, 2005 3:45 AM

I think it humping sucks!!!! They should have pumped this movie down the public's throat.

KIMBERS

Thursday, October 27, 2005 4:45 AM

Right, because we know that Universal desperately wants to LOSE money on all the films they release. Why else would they have put out movies like Cinderella Man. That thing tanked at the Boxoffice.

Face it guys! Sometimes good movies don't make any money. It happens, learn to deal.

JUSTBROWSING

Thursday, October 27, 2005 5:05 AM

Has it occurred to anyone that Universal is not doing all it could to promote it's movies right now, because having a loss would give them a tax write-off? Think I am being cynical? It's a common business practice, and the Powers That Be who run the industry wouldn't know a good movie if it bit them on their proverbial rear end.

The bottom line with them is the money, and if they don't see a small movie being worthwhile as an investment, they could well see it as a Tax write-off.

This last year has not been good for many movies, they disappear from the cinemas quickly and the only ones which get support for advertising are those they know in advance are going to be huge blockbusters.

What they lose at the Box Office now they know they can pick up in other tax years in DVD sales, and TV rights.

Justbrowsing

Can't Stop The Signal.

KIMBERS

Thursday, October 27, 2005 6:21 AM

I think that we as fans are too close to the movie to be able to look at it objectively. It's easy to blame others because the film wasn't a huge smash hit.

But really, maybe it doesn't have the mass appeal that we think it should have. I'm not trying to be negative, I loved the movie and still hope we get sequels. But if you are like me, you've been following the Firefly verse and news tidbits since the show first aired on Fox. So just because "I" waited several years in super-anticipation for this movie, doesn't necessarily mean the rest of the world has too.

I'm sure it will find it's audience on DVD, I think Universal would have liked it to have broken out and been the next Star Wars. It didn't happen. However, the movie was not a major flop and I do think it will ultimately be profitable. "The Adventures of Pluto Nash" was a tax write-off. I don't think Serenity is.

PURPLEYIN

Thursday, October 27, 2005 8:32 AM

every other fanbase has better executive production than us. thats what makes us special.

MINEISANEVILLAUGH

Thursday, October 27, 2005 1:44 PM

Universal did do a crappy job marketing. If you read some of the box office analysts reviews of the movie, you will see that they were surprised that Universal didn't push for a wider release in the first place and that they spent about 1/4 of the marketing budget that they would normally devote to a movie that they expect to do well. Instead Universal decided to rely on "Virus" marketing (that's us spreading the word). Also, the commercials that they did run were somewhat slanted toward those of us that were already going to be seeing the movie. To give an idea of how ineffective the marketing campaign was, the last two times I went to see the movie - I asked the ticket seller about it. Both asked - what's that one about? They worked in the MOVIE THEATER where it was showing and didn't know. (Of course, I filled them in).

As far as not having universal appeal - I started to have the same concern after awhile. But then I finally convinced some non-Firefly, non-SciFi fans to come with me (depressing when it takes that much effort to pursuade some to come to a movie that you are willing to PAY for them to see) and they all loved it. Had no problem following the plot or the characters and thought it was a great time.

I don't think Universal deliberately tanked the movie (although it is hard not to feel paranoid when you see the effort that is put into the release and marketing of crap - as has already been pointed out). I think they just miscalculated.

I haven't given up though. The movie didn't bomb in the US and it is doing well overseas. I know the Serenity dvd will be my number 1 gift in the upcoming year. I have been asked "Don't you feel bad about giving a gift that someone didn't ask for?" Absolutely not, I think I am doing a favor by introducing people to a really great movie. And I won't have to try to wrangle them to the movie theater - they can just watch it at their convenience in the comfort of their own home.

PREV PAGE 1 2 3 NEXT PAGE