One thing I do wonder- is anything ever said in the movie that makes it obvious that Book was ever even on Serenity? If you didn't have the backstory, do you think you'd know how Mal and the others knew him?

I think it is implied in his last scene with Mal but, even after two viewings I can't recall where it is made clear.

Don't think so.

Also, I think the Shepherd was once an Operative. Then he switched beliefs.

Also, I think the Shepherd was once an Operative. Then he switched beliefs.

Damn, that's a good call. Now I wish they'd forgone the surprise of the place being wiped out to a nice, juicy confrontation scene between him and this Operative.

Also, note to self - put DIRTY, PRETTY THINGS on must-see list.

Oh, what the hell...

NINES!!!!!!!!!

May I promote Dirty, Pretty Things ? One of the best movies I've seen in a long time, and Ejiofor is so the actor who makes it that way. If you liked him in Serenity, check this other movie out, even if it could be less alike, other than good acting, good writing, and an interesting, alien culture.

Thirding the Dirty Pretty Things rec. Ejiofor has made my list of actors-to-track-down for sure.

Finally can post here, now that my houseguests are gone. Vonnie and I were really good about not spoiling Katie all weekend.

I liked it: enjoyed it a lot. Cheered and sniffled in all the right places. But I do have quibbles.

- I assume the graininess and blueness of the first scenes (esp. Mal & Simon arguing about River) is going to be corrected, because it was so much in contrast with the brilliant clarity of the show on dvd. Threw me right out, and I'm not someone who notices cinematography much.

- Mal felt pretty off: he felt much more like the Mal from the original Firefly script that Fox insisted be lightened up. Or at least a Mal from before "Safe" and "Ariel". This Mal saw Simon and River as outside, not members of his crew, in a way that I don't buy in the aftermath of the 13-ep run, especially the end of "Objects in Space". Which is not to say he isn't justified in being angry at not knowing about River's fighting ability; but the way it was expressed really made him less likeable than we know he is.

- Simon personally rescuing River, which is entirely a retcon, IIRC.

- The Great Secret about Pax just felt really damned convenient. And the creation of the Reavers was a gimme, although -- how long ago did the Reavers start showing up? And how long has the Alliance been using that drug?

- The Single Solar System theory makes me crazy. Sure, it avoids the FTL drive problem, but the likelihood of finding a system with dozens of planets all in the same range of habitable space is pretty slim. Unless they're not all in the same plane, and that's even rarer. But then Joss and science were never close, anyway. I'd be happier if they took it out and left us thinking it was an interstellar network rather than a single solar system.

- The dialog pattern, particularly the funny bits, was patented Joss. So much so that after 7 years of Buffy and 5 of Angel it was kind of obvious. I like it, but I think he could do with pushing himself a little more, putting down that tool for a bit.

... wow, that's a lot of nits. I really did enjoy it: I was terribly happy to see them all again, and kick butt, and Wash's dinosaurs. And now that I think of it, of course Wash would die, because Joss never leaves a happy couple happy for long. They got 13 hours: that's more than Fred and Wes got.

I don't know how accessible this is going to be for anyone who hasn't seen the show. I am very unhappy about Book, because there was so much we didn't learn about him. Although I thought Ron Glass looked marvelous.