brainstorms

Saturday October 08, 2005

as serenity approaches...

so, there are already a number of great[*] reviews of the new joss whedon attraction, serenity. for example, this very incisive one by gary westfahl [i agree with most of his observations], or this /.ed one by orson scott card, where he pays a special compliment:

This is the kind of movie that I have always intended Ender's Game to be (though the plots are not at all similar).

And this is as good a movie as I always hoped Ender's Game would be.

sure, we can argue about the success and value of ender's game, but i think his compliment is well deserved. i have never watched firefly [evidently my loss] so i could say without much bias: i think this is one very good sf movie. highly recommended.

[subject line is also the title of marcus roberts's wonderful 1992 album. its introduction applies well to joss whedon, with appropriate substitutions: what becomes obvious by the time our ears have traveled the long and varied journey of as serenity approaches is the increased precision of a talent refining itself for the purpose of complete freedom of expression.]

[* and some not so great. jack garner finds it "nonsensical" with "less-than-stellar special effects, average-to-poor performances and silly dialogue."]