Firefly

SERENITY

Yeah. So sue me.

Speaking of vibes and socratic wavelengths, if you’re lucky enough to "get" Joss Whedon, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. For my money, Whedon writes characters, story, dialogue and subtext so effortlessly, you just want to bathe in his work. Effusive? Fannish? Sure. I’m an effusive fan.

There’s been so much crap leveled at the so-called Browncoats (although some of it’s deserved... seriously, who gave their phone bill a thrashing just so this film could reach the top half of Margaret Pomeranz’s best film show on the ABC?), they’ve almost replaced Trekkies in the derision and scorn department. This departments exists only within fandom, it’s important to remember. Your average movie-going public guy dude person has no idea what a Browncoat is, and has probably only heard of "Firefly" in passing from a friend of a friend. I don’t know of anyone who was turned off the film by an overenthusiastic fan.

These Browncoats copped a decent amount of blame in some circles for the film’s poor box office results, a charge that was as incorrect as it was wrong (now THAT’S English). Simply put, the film did badly because of the sheer amount of pre-release screenings (which would have significantly diminished its opening weekend, the only thing that seems to matter these days) and the awful, awful marketing campaign. Sure, the film is not an easy one to sell, but even I was slightly turned off by the terrible posters and misleading trailers. The film failed in a big way, but it’s no more the fault of the fans than it is of the key grip (Jerry C. Deats, you will feel my wrath).

Wait, am I discussing the film’s brilliance, or adding to the overcrowded debate on where to point the blame? Clearly, I’m adding to the debate. Feel free to read it again if you’re confused.

There’s been so much damned press on this film; you don’t need to hear any more. Whedon is a goddamn genius, who writes and directs so fucking well that he alone inspires such passion and love in his fans. I’ve come to terms with the fact that this may be the last outing for the Serenity crew. So long as Whedon is still breathing and near a keyboard, captivating stories will continue to be told.