Most of the audience stuck around through the credits, hoping for more I think, some nod to the fans.

It's already been noted, but there was a nod to the fans, in the form of a reworking of "The Ballad of Serenity".

a real reason why River had to go with them on the first heist

The way I understood that was, they needed her to identify the guy with the code to the safe that opened the vault. Identifying the guy with the gun was just incidental.

Which reminds me of one thing that bugged me about that scene. The guy with the safe code says something to the effect of "so, you're The Browncoats, huh?" Like they're a club or gang or something, "The Browncoats".

Also, "I swallowed a bug" cracked my shit up.

The line that got the biggest reaction at the screening I went to: "I'm going to LIVE!"

All, I just saw "Serenity" this afternoon. I agree with a lot of what was said above, but I have a quick comment about the retcon of Simon & River. I was confused at the beginning of the film regarding the timeline. I thought River was recaptured by the Alliance and Simon had to get her out again. I realized about 10-20 minutes into the movie that this wasn't the tale they were telling.

But I'm wondering why Joss didn't go down this route. It would have worked well (I think) to have River recaptured and have Simon (and/or the group) liberate her.

I just got back from an afternoon showing, where I took particular care to concentrate on Zoe and Wash. I don't think their relationship was given short shrift, although admittedly there wasn't much screen time devoted to it. Mal refers to "your husband" within seconds of Zoe's onscreen arrival in a way that makes it clear it's Wash he's talking about, they constantly call each other "honey" and "my man" and suchlike, and the two have some very tender moments of physical closeness after Wash scoops them all out of the Reavers' jaws.

Apart from the relationship, Wash had some good Washlike moments when talking with the others over the radio and in the confab scenes, particularly while jokingly snarking at Jayne. Zoe was the most seamlessly her TV self throughout, with every note striking just right. And I dearly loved how Joss made her so intimidating in that argument where Jayne brought up the war. Jayne seemed over his fear of Mal and willing to challenge him, but one warning from Zoe and he backed down and left as fast as he could.

As the credits were rolling, a little girl passing down the aisle next to me turned to her mom and asked "why did they cancel it?" The mother immediately replied "because they're idiots!" Good times.

I bumped into a married duo of friends that I'd unknowingly shared the theater with on the way out, and the wife said she had no trouble connecting with the characters and getting a good feel for them despite being unfamiliar with the series. And overall, that was a very happy near-capacity crowd that was leaving.

Actually went out to a theater and saw it. Am realizing why I haven't been fussed to go to a theater in several years. I always end up with a headache and sticky shoebottoms and a crick in my back.

So now that I've established my mood...

It was nice to see the characters again. I'm not so good at consistency, so while I missed the OOC stuff while watching, I can see where it was now.

Watching the ship go smash was rather unpleasent. So was watching Book and Wash die. I'm not feeling betrayed, just...good bye. The story that I was watching is over. Wish it weren't, but wishes and feathers and all that stuff. I wanted more of THAT story, and now it's gone. I'm not sure I'd get as invested in another story, cause I was attached to the first. It could be as good or better, but whatever. This story has ended.

As for the *movie* not the story that got me into the theater, eh. I only looked at my watch three times (but that's never a good sign.) Mainly the whole reavers thing REALLY SCARES THE HELL OUT OF ME and I needed that part to end SOON or my lizard brain was going to drag me out of the theater. I think I prefer scary in nice 45 minutes contained pods.

I'm not sure had I seen it cold I would have found it all that great, or have prompted any sort of long-term investment. I'm not sure it was my kind of movie. No images really stick in my mind (other than Ship SMASH and staked Wash, but that's from my show watching investment.) There were times where the dialogue went too fast and I found myself longing for closed captioning. The timeline of the plot now seems a little muddled in my head, which makes me feel like it was rushed or too much crammed in or something.

Or maybe I was distracted by sticking to the floor.

So, I saw it, it was ok, I'm done.

I realize I'm alone in that I didn't like it at all, enough to have thought about leaving, but I'm slightly comforted in seeing people discuss it without saying it was the greatest thing since Empire.

I thought I had gone insane.

I suspect you aren't alone, frankly. The review in the Monitor was cranky enough (oh, he really didn't like River at all! called her an extraterrestrial Alanis Morrisette ) that surprised me at its conclusion by giving it a C+. I guess the writer must have been an action fan because that was the thing he was nicest about.

BTW...

Book's death I accept very sadly (I want backstory!) since Ron Glass isn't in good enough health anymore to film another TV series.

What's wrong with Ron Glass?

I think the reaction is fascinating. Fan reaction was expected. Non-fan reaction seems mixed and that was expected. I'm surprised the critics have been mostly favorable. I'm mostly enjoying the anti-Joss and never-gotten-Firefly-never-will camps. Some say meh. Quite a few say it was better than they thought it would be. I enjoyed that Harry from Ain't it Cool begrudgingly said he liked it. I'm trying to understand the hate hate HATED it reactions. Often it's because of a betrayal factor. Mostly I treat reviews like ice skating judging, drop the best and worst score. I'm wondering though for those who didn't like it, what would have been the perfect Serenity movie. Would it simply be keep everything the same but no one dies? The only thing that might have worked better for me was a story about Book's past catching up with him. On the other hand I could see where it might make sense to hold off on that.