I was drawn to seeing this movie because I craved the witty dialogue of Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).  I was not disappointed.  Seldom have I been in a movie (especially one which is not primarily regarded as a comedy) where I have heard as many belly laughs as in this one.  The surprise turns of phrase and characterization are Whedon's trademark, and he has spared none in Serenity.  

Based on the single season of Firefly, this film both rounds out and completes the story, answering questions which were left undone at the end of the series.  But Serenity stands on its own.  While the characters and ironies may be more familiar to Firefly devotees, there is enough roundness of plot to fill in the novice.  The special effects are terrific, beating anything that could have been presented on TV.  If there is any weakness, it is in the slightly predictable plot, since this viewer, at least, figured out the ending before the middle of the film.  It still gave some surprises, though.  

~September, 2005