Similar plot elements between Serenity and Fifth Element:

• Gruff guy with a heart of gold who understands the world and will gladly fight against the law to protect his charge.

• Hot girl who kicks lots of ass and has crazy powers.

• Spaceships

• Explosions

• Bit in the trailer where techno-ish music provides a choreographed background to major ass-kicking of many opponents by super-cool hot girl

• Grittyish future - not Star Trek polished, if not Bladerunner-dark either.

• Powerful, no-morals nemesis guy.

• There is sex at the end

• Simple, basic morals: The Truth is Important vs. Love Conquers All

Hot girl who kicks lots of ass and has crazy powers

Also, hot/crazy girl has a big secret that reveals a larger, "bigger-than-the-rest-of-us-put-together" secret that involves a race against time and pursuers.

don't forget the Black man who high-talks and acts crazy. Oh. I guess that's just The Fifth Element, huh?

Universal isn't exactly the studio of note when it comes to space operas and similar genre pictures, with disappointments ranging from Buck Rogers in the 25th Century to The Chronicles of Riddick.

Buck Rogers was a disappointment?

Buck Rogers was a disappointment?

They were so disappointed, they made a whole series out of it.

Buck Rogers was a disappointment?

They were so disappointed, they made a whole series out of it.

So, bets on how long Twiki would have lasted around Mal before getting launched out the nearest air lock? More or less time than Domniar Rygel?

t /random x-over

So, bets on how long Twiki would have lasted around Mal before getting launched out the nearest air lock? More or less time than Domniar Rygel?

Far less time than Dominar Rygel. Although I suspect Jayne would have taken Twiki out first.

Mal: Anyone seen our robot?

Jayne [hides smoking Twiki part behind his chair]: We got a robot?

88% rating a movie very good or excellent is merely solid? I think it's less than exceptional for this movie because of Browncoats and lesser fans, but in general I'd think it better than solid.

Mmm, I don't know. I'd almost expect it higher for this particular film. I would think that most of the first weekend fans were Ff fans. I know that regardless of what I thought about the movie, if a pollster were to ask me, I'd rate it really high, because "my" people are involved with it. I know that's silly, but I would.

I agree with you -- I think it's "less than exceptional for this movie."

One thing about Serenity I forgot to mention, I am really impressed by the girl who played young River. In look, voice and action she pretty much nails what one would expect River as a child to be like. (Moreso than her appearance in Safe, though it could be I'm already setup to expect child!River to be that way due to Safe.)