*possible spoilers*
WOW. That's all I could say under my breath as I left the theatre. Was a great movie, but I'm somewhat pissed off. Not in where the story went, but in the way it was told.
First of all it felt nothing like the TV show. The humor and the one liners that made you chuckle and enjoy the show were practically non-existant in the movie. And the atmopshere, totally fucking dark. Even though some episodes had some pretty intense scenes (torture episode) when it was over you still had a warm and fuzzy feeling. Not so with this feature.
The pacing of the movie is mostly what puts it apart from the show. Everything happens so fast, where in the show they take their time. More time was spent on all the characters so they felt more believable. The movie it's different, characters feel like they get a split second on screen, the only character you get to see really being affected by what is going on is Mal.
Now I realize this couldn't be helped. Whedon figured this might be his last shot with Firefly so he wanted to answer as many questions as he could. What happens with Wash and Zoe? May not like the answer but at least you get one. Although there are a few plot holes created by things that were seen on the show. Guys with the blue gloves and the head-bleeder-thing. Blue Sun Corp (watch the show you'll see the logo everywhere, even on Jayne's shirt). Seems like whedon just tossed the preacher asside without a second thought. His past was never brought to light.
So in the end you get a really fast paced movie with a great plot, but practically no time on character development or any time spent in one particular local. You get glimpses but nothing indepth like the show provided. In the end this story was best left in the format it was orignally in.
So who am I pissed at? Fox, the sponsors etc... killing a great show so they could free up space for more drivel. Hopefully it could be picked up again as a show but I don't see that happening. Greater chance for another movie, they've already picked up the pace I can't see them slowing back down. At least the movie provided a better "ending" than the show did.
Great story that was unfortunately rushed to a "closing point".
Again FUCK FOX.
pick up the series on dvd, great steal for 30 bucks.