Movie Summary
The film is based on Whedon’s critically acclaimed, short-lived television
series Firefly, which aired on the Fox TV Network during the fall of 2002. Set
in a futuristic, post-Earth universe dominated by a planetary Alliance, the
series chronicled the adventures of the ragtag spaceship Serenity and her
eclectic crew of outcasts, led by Captain Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds, played by
Nathan Fillion. Although Fox TV cancelled the show after only 11 of the 14
produced episodes had aired, Firefly’s quirky mix of humor, complex characters
and sci-fi had attracted a loyal and passionate following.
In this world we find Mal, a soldier on the losing side of a galactic civil war,
who now ekes out a living pulling off small crimes and captaining the
transport-for-hire ship Serenity. He leads a small crew who are the closest
thing he has left to family: his second-in-command Zoë; Zoë's pilot husband
Wash; the mercenary Jayne and ship's mechanic Kaylee who together provide Mal
the opinionated, insubordinate and ultimately loyal mates he needs to survive in
the outlands.
Threatening their survival are two of the most formidable enemies: first, the
establishment known as the Universal Alliance (those on the winning side of the
war); and second, the horrific, cannibalistic Reavers -- savages who roam the
edges of space. The crew find themselves trapped between the Alliance, who seeks
to bring order -- wanted or unwanted by their subjects -- to these various
planets, and the Reavers, who seek wanton chaos and destruction.
Further complicating matters for Mal are the beautiful courtesan Inara, a woman
who alternately inspires and infuriates him; Shepherd Book, a preacher who
challenges Mal to the fullest; and two mysterious passengers: the young doctor
Simon and his unstable, telepathic sister River. Her talents long-used by the
Alliance, she possesses dangerous secrets buried so deeply, even she doesn’t
know what they are.
