Movies

Prime Now Exclusively Streaming One of the Best Sci-Fi Movies Since 2000 (Ahead of the Franchise’s Return)

As sci-fi franchises go, there are few from the 21st century that are as beloved as Firefly. Joss Whedonโ€™s space western only got one cancelled far too soon season in 2002, but it has remained deeply loved by fansโ€”so much so that an animated revival is in the works. But that animated revival isnโ€™t the only continuation of the story that fans so dearly love. Thereโ€™s also a feature film that now is exclusively available to stream on Prime Video.

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Released in 2005, Serenity is a continuation of Firefly, picking up the story after the seriesโ€™ final episode. The movie went over well with fans and critics, but was a box office underperformer, but all these years later it still remains a beloved comfort watch, just like the series itself.

Serenity Is Perfect Viewing While We Wait for the New Firefly

Alan Tudyk, Nathan Fillion, and Gina Torres in Serenity (2005)

Whatโ€™s interesting about Serenity is that while itโ€™s been available to stream via Prime Video for some time, itโ€™s only since May 1st that Prime Video has been the only place to find the movie. Itโ€™s also a movie that you must watch before the revival. The film does a great job of taking the very unfinished story of Firefly, picking up the threads, and delivering a complete, satisfying story as it follows the crew of the Serenity as they discover a secret that could bring down the Alliance government. Thereโ€™s a lot of great action, but there is also a very deep, rich emotional core to the movie. Even if you havenโ€™t seen Firefly or donโ€™t consider yourself a fan, thereโ€™s no denying the quality of the story and the performances. It is, put simply, a very good film.

A huge part of that falls on the filmโ€™s antagonist, The Operative. Played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, The Operative is terrifying, but heโ€™s also very well written, a character very devoted to his principles and values. It makes him compelling in a way we rarely see in villainy and Serenity is all the better for it. The film also gives viewers closure for Fireflyโ€™s storyโ€”made even better with the villainโ€™s storyโ€”which makes it a must watch before the revival just to orient yourself in this richly created world.

Serenity is now streaming exclusively on Prime.

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