Would you prefer an uncompromised Serenity?

POSTED BY: Haze
UPDATED: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 20:16
VIEWED: 5721
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HAZE

Monday, October 17, 2005 5:23 PM

Serenity is a good movie. Actually I would go so far as to say Serenity is a great movie. It is a movie that can be viewed and enjoyed by people who have never even heard the name Firefly. And it is a real testament to Joss’s writing talent that that is so.

But as far as we fans go that fact may also be Serenity’s greatest problem. Like all Hollywood adaptations its not a movie made for the fans it’s a movie made for the public. Joss said as much in an interview on ITV. The quote went something along the lines of “When making the movie you’ve got to assume that people seeing it have never seen Firefly because not a lot of people did” or words to that effect. Hollywood has a massive fear of making movies for a specific audience. And it has a point. If Serenity had been made just for us we would all (well mostly all) have been happy but the movie would have done noting in the box-office. But would that have been a bad thing? Would it have been better to have one super hardcore “just for the fans” Firefly movie rather than three compromised ones?

A good example of what im talking about of would be what I consider to be this years other big movie release. Final Fantasy Advent Children, AC is completely uncompromising. It makes absolutely no attempt to reestablish the characters, no attempt to explain itself; the movie assumes you have played Final Fantasy VII to death.

And if you haven’t?

“To hell with you this is for the fans.”

As such to none fans it’s soulless and impenetrable. To an FF nut like myself its pure Nirvana. Honest to God I wept with joy the first time I saw it. Of course this kind of super hardcore film making is not uncommon in Japan. Even Akira was written assuming the audience had read the manga.

So I put forward the question again would you have rather seen one Firefly movie that was made just for the fans but would do noting in the box-office or what we have a somewhat compromised movie for Joe and Jane public that will most likely lead to two sequels? (and despite the doom and gloom that’s around im convinced it will)

Who do you suppose is in there?

DONCOAT

Monday, October 17, 2005 6:57 PM

Given the fact that I find the compromises in Serenity to be minor and acceptable, I'd instantly opt for three movies.

BROWNCOAT1

Monday, October 17, 2005 7:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DonCoat:
Given the fact that I find the compromises in Serenity to be minor and acceptable, I'd instantly opt for three movies.

Agreed. I saw nothing I would really consider an unacceptable compromise in Serenity.

I also think that the story of Serenity is such a great one that I want it shared with everyone, if that means bending a bit to accomodate people who are not familiar w/ Firefly than I am okay w/ that.

__________________________________________

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Fans:

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/richmondbrowncoats/

http://www.richmondbrowncoats.org

GROUNDED

Monday, October 17, 2005 7:16 PM

I suspect the number of people who have played Final Fantasy VII to the point that they don't need the back story explained is a lot higher than the number of people who have seen Firefly all the way through ;)

Besides, I'd agree that the compromises in Serenity are minimal.

LIMINALOSITY

Monday, October 17, 2005 7:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BrownCoat1:
Quote:
Originally posted by DonCoat:
Given the fact that I find the compromises in Serenity to be minor and acceptable, I'd instantly opt for three movies.

Agreed. I saw nothing I would really consider an unacceptable compromise in Serenity.

I also think that the story of Serenity is such a great one that I want it shared with everyone, if that means bending a bit to accomodate people who are not familiar w/ Firefly than I am okay w/ that.

__________________________________________

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Fans:

http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/richmondbrowncoats/

http://www.richmondbrowncoats.org

Me three. As long as it isn't bent down to the ground under the weight of stupidity and compromise, I'll take it in any form Joss dishes it out.

'I have a way? That better 'n a plan?'

SHIRLOCKC

Monday, October 17, 2005 7:19 PM

I enjoyed the movie very much and I think Joss did a great job for both the fans and the non-fans. I also think that his vision would have led the TV series (if there had been another season) to this same/similar plot line as seen in the movie. Even without hours of character development, there was still an emotional impact. I don't think the movie can be compared or judged based on the TV series. Different formats -- 2 hours can't be compared to 14 and while I'd love to see another seasons' worth, I'd rather have 2 more movie sequels than nothing at all.

EMBERS

Monday, October 17, 2005 7:24 PM

I think 'Serenity' IS the movie Joss wanted to make,
he had to make some concessions to the medium,
and to the hopes of finding a new (and larger) audience
but he was allowed to have his ship and his characters the way he wanted them,

he had a whole set of other compromises imposed upon him when the TV show was set in production...

(Mal shouldn't be so grumpy, the scenes shouldn't be shot so dark, etc etc)

Personally I think 'Serenity' is amazing
I would have loved to have had five seasons of Firefly on TV,
but that was no longer an option...

obviously if Joss has to change mediums again then he'll also have to adapt the story telling to fit the wood cuts and interpretive dance that he promised us
(you read that interview too, right?)

CHRISISALL

Monday, October 17, 2005 7:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DonCoat:
Given the fact that I find the compromises in Serenity to be minor and acceptable, I'd instantly opt for three movies.

He said it for me too.
Can you imagine if we get two more of THAT quality? (Dude, did ya ever see that scene in Scanners...?)

Chrisisall's head will....

REGINAROADIE

Monday, October 17, 2005 7:56 PM

I'm not that picky. I'll take whatever I can get.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
XANDER: (baby-talk) Who's a little fear demon?
C'mon, who's a lit-tle fear demon?
GILES: Don't taunt the fear demon.
XANDER: Why? Can he hurt me?
GILES: No, it's just… tacky.

ROCKETJOCK

Monday, October 17, 2005 9:16 PM

What some folks are forgetting is that Firefly itself was a result of several compromises--such things as lightening Mal's character from that seen in the pilot.

Writing a TV show is a lot like writing a sonnet--very strict rules as to style, but freedom within those rules. Think of the TV episodes as a series of sonnets, connected by theme to tell a larger story.

By that standard Serenity is a single, epic poem in a simpler meter -- a much larger story than any single sonnet could encompass. A different kind of storytelling, but just as valid. And in its own way, as true to Joss' vision as the original show.

"She's tore up plenty. But she'll fly true." -- Zoë Washburn

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