I went into Serenity as a novice – that is, unfamiliar with the short-lived “Firefly” television series on which this is based – but thankfully fan-boy membership isn’t necessary to enjoy the picture’s smart handling of Star Trek conventions. As written and directed by Joss Whedon – creator of the original series, as well
as of the similar-in-tone “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” series – Serenity is a joking man’s action movie. As it traces the exploits of a motley band of futuristic space pirates, the movie’s irony-infused dialogue routinely takes priority over the stunts.
