Serenity (2005) - Movies with Mikey

Cheers to all the underdogs, in Serenity! Joss Whedon's much loved series, Firefly, gets a fan-demanded movie.
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[@biltrex]

Hey, Mikey, I just wanted to say thank you for this loving examination of one of the best shows ever. I was fortunate enough to be on the visual effects team from the pilot through the run of the show, and with some hard lobbying, we got to form the core team for the feature film, too. In fact, I got to design and supervise the opening explanatory sequence you praised so much, based on Joss's script, so... yeah, chest is feeling pretty pumped up right now. What you said about people who cared about the show is spot on. The VFX crew in particular, we had mostly all come over from Star Trek where we had no creative freedom, to a show where Joss almost didn't care what we did, so long as it was awesome. So we made the shots we wanted to see, did all the things that would have given the Star Trek producers seizures. We created the shaky-cam in space look and Joss loved it, so we got to run with it. (Incidentally, most of that crew would go on to do the Battlestar Galactica reboot after Firefly was canned, and we brought shakycam with us). We worked our asses off on that show because we BELIEVED in it, we loved it, we were Tribe. And then we watched the ratings every weekend to see if we'd have a job next week. Which we did... until we didn't. And then we won an Emmy for the VFX... the only TV award the show won. And Joss was there that night... attending the Emmys with us bunch of scruffy-ass desk jockey nerds in rented tuxes. The show will hold up for the next 200 years or more because it was all on the screen. The chemistry between the cast members was real... I mean, you've seen them all work together afterwards. They loved each other. They, and we, were all so pumped to get a chance to make the movie... we gave it everything we had. During the film, we were putting in 15 hour days, seven days a week for months to live up to our own expectations, because we were the audience, too. A scrappy team of underdogs. Thanks again for all the fun and the feels. Makes me remember the good old days. Because Firefly will always be the best show I ever worked on.

[@Iyentra]

Thanks for sharing, and for your labour of love!

[@AstralMarmot]

You can have all the SFX in the 'verse, but you put a show on the air that you don't love, it'll shake you off just as sure as the turnover of good shows on FOX. Love keeps her in our minds when she might could be forgotten, shows you things you never would've seen. Makes her a live on. Thank you for the gift you brought us.

[@johnmcternan4157]

Battlestar is my favourite series aside from this and the Wire, you put everything up there with that one (BSG) too. It'll live forever. You work/worked at ZOIC right?

[@lystic9392]

I love hearing this.

[@helgebrekke]

Damn, stop cutting onions!

[@jbkjbk1999]

This video was emotional enough on it's own. Then that "Because... You can't take the sky from me" came in at the end and I just... Died.

[@asherphoenix5584]

I looked for you immediately upon finishing the video

[@xqiuvmah]

Me too, but I always have this bad habit of cutting onions while watching emotional videos

[@LonelyRavenProductio]

It's just some dust in my eye...that's all...just dust.....in the wind

[@alvallac2171]

*its (possessive) it's = it is/has

[@kiddicarus]

We're honored to have experienced your video...Along with the memories... ...In spite of the pain... . Thank you.

[@ChesterRico]

I went into Serenity by accident. I was drunk, my gf was in the process of breaking up with me, and I went into the wrong movie (I think I actually had a ticket for Sin City.) Ended up buying the Firefly DVD box and watching it like 10 million times.

[@FrumpybutSuperSmart]

I still cry thinking about "When you can't run you walk, when you can't walk you crawl, and when you can't do that... when you can't do that..."

[@Miss_Myth]

...you find someone to carry you. 😭😭😭

[@lahdeedah87]

My dad watched Serenity first and got so jazzed when I told him there was a related tv show. So I had him watch my copy of Firefly. We marathoned it and after the last episode he says, all hyped 'man that was great! I got to order the next season' and I just looked at him sadly and broke the news to him. I've never seen him go from jubilant to irate so quickly. He had a lot of choice words for Fox over the Firefly cancellation, I can tell you that. :P

[@AMoistBum]

Haha that’s awesome. Your Dad is a cool dude

[@lundylow]

I would go into it letting them know the one season is all there is.

[@BrowenWhitefire]

I showed it to my dad in order. he loved it. A month later i lost him and it broke me. I was to go to Comicon and i had promised him that i would say hi to Nathan, all i could do was cry at the man.. it my biggest regret. I got to talk to Captain Mal for my dad and i fell apart. I often wish i could explain to him why.

[@lundylow]

@@BrowenWhitefire @@BrowenWhitefire I'm sorry. That's a lot of emotions crammed into one moment.

[@jkocol]

That was my introduction route as well.My wife told me of a new sifi show coming on TV and for one reason or another I never saw it. Years later I stumbled across Serenity on TV and years after that a co-worker gave me a copy of all the episodes so I was able to watch them in the correct order. I can't imagine having to watch The Train Job first without the pilot to give me some orientation. In retrospect I feel blessed that I saw the show in this order.

[@lenajohnson6179]

Serenity was in fact my introduction to the world of Firefly. I and a friend of mine wanted to see a movie that weekend and Serenity was the only thing in the vein of the sorts of stuff we liked to see. I remembered watching trailers for it and thinking 'something about it seems familiar' (I later realized that this was because I was very vaguely recalling trailers for the series on Fox) and when the film was over I was stoked. I'd not seen a film with so many characters make me love and care about them all enough in the space of 2 hours that when I thought they were all going to die at the end I was genuinely affected. That doesn't happen to me a lot in movies, hell I've seen whole movies that by the end I don't even remember everybodies names. 2 Hours just isn't a lot of time to fall in love. So naturally as soon as I learned there was a series....... it was like heaven to me. Food for thought. To me, Firefly isn't this short lived series that died to soon and then was revived a decade later for a to brief 2 hour film... To me, Firefly was the six extra films worth of narrative material I was gifted after falling in love with a sci-fi universe I hadn't known existed before. To this day I doubt there's a cast of characters that spoke to me in the same way as Mal and his crew.

[@AstralMarmot]

This is beautifully put. Thank you for sharing this.

[@thehorriblebright]

"Breakdance fighting laser stickboys". This sentence is everything to me.

[@thecoderofyoutube]

"Hey Sarah Paulson is in this movi-OHMYGOD!!!" - very funny.

[@ksochia12]

Sarah Paulson is very good

[@Nathan_Tanner]

I was keeping it together until he said “you can’t take the sky from me” and I lost it.

[@charlesreid9337]

"i'm a leaf in the wind..".... fuck

[@duozero00]

Mal is just broken in this movie from start to the end it's clear he is depressed and desperate and doesn't care anymore about anything but his crew but can't tell them and they can't see it. When he switches off his emotions that's just the loss of Book being the final straw he can't grieve he can't feel all that's left is anger and pain. Ask people who have experienced a lot of trauma and loss this is what happens to us some recover and some dont. Most of Mals adult life has see everyone who was close to him die or leave except Zoe no way he doesn't have PTSD or severe mental issues and this move captures the hopelessness with Mals character.

[@jamesmilne4233]

"Brown coats are fueled entirely by hopes and dreams..." How does this guy, just time after time keep drilling down to the heart of the audience and laying bare truth out for all to see?!;)

[@jacobbenns6090]

God, this franchise, I remember my girlfriend's rage when she found out there was only the one season, my buddy's face after watching the whole series through, and then the tears when book and wash died, and my own love for it. I aim to misbehave

[@ChristopherRoss.]

This is my favorite movie of all time. I am a Browncoat to a near diehard degree. Which is why my situation is kind of odd: Serenity was my introduction to this universe. I had heard about Firefly, but never did see it while it was airing (because fox, may they burn forever in hell, kept changing the time slot). Joss has said that this show and film were River's story, told through Mal's eyes. And from moment one, I fell in love with both of those characters, because I saw myself in both of them--my own kind of duality reflected in the two primary characters of this unparalleled story. River's brokenness and alone-ness and strength trapped behind walls in her own brain that confuse and ruin her and deprive her of said strength. That is me. And Mal's misanthropy and cynicism and desire to be broken off from the rest of the world, to be with "me and mine" and just go. His. Own. Way. That is the other half of me. I, like you, could say many many things about this world and only just scratch the surface. About how it has affected me as a person, in equal amounts. I must have typed and erased three different essays in this comment before giving up trying coalesce all the things floating around in my brainpan. I love this film. So much. I've seen it no less than thirty times (probably closer to fifty), and I still weep every time I see the scene with Mal and River in the cockpit. I don't want there to be more, because the story never had a chance to suck. But these characters mean so much, that I don't want them to be essentially dead to me; I want the story to go on. I'm really emotional right now. I don't even know what I'm trying to say. I've read the comics, and its just not the same. It doesn't capture the magic. I don't even really remember the stories. This story is perfect. And being gone before its time, I think is a part of that. And that is where I think I'll stop my insane, incoherent ramble.

[@selonianth]

I couldn't agree more as far as being glad it nevre managed to suck, but also needing more despite that risk. I can't bring myself to *care* that it coming back might give us that one bad episode, or more. I just can't.

[@longclaw99]

Same for me. I had never even heard of the tv show, went to it in the theater thinking it wouldn't be very good but I was bored and had some time to kill. I was slightly late (like 30 seconds or so) and literally before I could find a seat in the darkness I knew this was something very, very special. I was instantly entranced. By the time I left the theater (misty-eyed because I loved the characters *that* much) , I knew it was the best film I had ever seen, went to try to drag my friends and family to see it (most didn't listen to me til later, but I remember going back the very next day with my mother and brother, who let me talk them into seeing this amazing movie and were not disappointed). It was only later that I found out there was a tv show, to my great pleasure (I had a face-off with another fan at a local best buy when trying to obtain the only copy of the dvd set they carried, but he had mercy on me and let me have it, since he had seen the show already and I had not). Firefly is still one of my favorite tv shows ever, but Serenity is much greater still for me, and even still I rank it as my #1 favorite film of all time.

[@masamune2984]

Fans like you, who aren’t embarrassed to lay it all out, are why I love this “fandom” or whatever you want to call it so much. There’s only so many things out there that connect fans to this degree, to where if I saw someone with a Firefly shirt on in a deli I could sit next to them and have a beer with them while being a TOTAL stranger, and have it be a total blast. There’s just a certain type of folk in certain fandoms like this, and it just makes me smile and tear up at the same time.

[@arklytte]

@Chris McCartney...Preach! I cant even really articulate what this universe means to me, but your 'incoherent ramble' came about as close as mere words can. Thank you for that. #cantstopthesignal

[@BenaiahPS]

Hey, I was the same way. I saw Serenity first and loved it. I only watched and fell in love with Firefly years after it was cancelled.

[@wolf1066]

Hearing about the woman behind you in the theatre had me in tears. I feel so sad for her because she clearly had grown attached to Serenity's family and felt the loss deeply. I heard rumours that Firefly might get a reboot with different actors and the idea was horrifying to me - it wouldn't be the same without the unique dynamics Nathan, Morena, Jewel, Adam, Alan, Gina, Ron, Summer and Sean brought to the series. Different actors would not portray the characters the same, would not have the same unique chemistry. Let's just treasure what we got - the ultimate underdogs.

[@mr.2cents.846]

With diffrent actors? LOL. Forget it!

[@charlesreid9337]

All the actors have been pushing for a reboot for years. Imagine.. theyve all gone on to huge success. But this little cancelled series.. like star trek before fox ressurected it.. they want to bring it back But he's right... they told their story. It should be what it is.

[@wolf1066]

@@charlesreid9337 Apparently Nathan's not so hot on returning to it as he once was - too many fans pestering him about it to the point that he got sick of hearing about it.

[@1GuyWith6Guns]

That went from a review at the beginning to a love letter written to a dead friend at the end.

[@StevenJQuinlan]

You broke my heart with this review, but you also fixed it by the ends. Firefly burned bright, and that's better than fading away. Thanks

[@jaymorrison2419]

I feel like hes too right. Its so great because it died before it ever had a single chance to not be great. And by doing anything else with it, your opening up a huge opportunity for that greatness to be lost.

[@MeanMFA]

STOP MAKING ME CRY YOU PILLOCK.

[@nunyabidness8726]

I was at a civil war reenactment. They had a period band playing that evening. I was occasionally glacing up to see if any transports were landing.

[@eldorados_lost_searcher]

"Like leaves... in the wind..." YOU SON OF A *starts cursing in Mandarin*!

[@broadstrokespro]

Fascinating, I did see Serenity before the rest of the series, and Mal's dickish broodiness got me interested in who he was in the series. I loved it :D

[@KartGaming]

R.I.P. Ron Glass (Shepherd Book)

[@dishwater63]

Yeah, odd timing :(

[@StephenGillie]

Death comes for us all. May you live long and prosper, and enjoy it while you can.

[@SeanRCope]

Watch Barney Miller

[@reimeikaminamida4579]

I have no small amount of trouble getting over what an amazing job you do with these videos. As someone who more or less lives in the world of self-important, academic criticism, it is really, truly inspiring to see deconstruction of a work of art that seeks to ADD to the enjoyment of that same work (while in turn producing art on its own) while also adding substantive contributions to the discourse surrounding its subject. The degree to which you succeed with this blows my mind a little, and I sincerely wish there was more in the way of criticism that dealt with not just what a work does, but why it should be appreciated on its own terms, as the two are generally so distantly, thoroughly separated. So my hat is TRULY off to you, sir. Just...astounding work with these videos. As a longtime fan of Firefly, I think one of the takeaways that I always had from this film was that Whedon was, for want of a better term, breaking his world - something that hurt the fans more than anyone else, as the studio certainly wasn't shedding much in the way of tears over the lost sequel potential and the closed-off story beats in consequence of the character deaths that, from a strictly narrative standpoint, might not have been wholly necessary as a call to action. That having been said, I think that takeaway came more from a sense of loss in the theater - that moment of realization you mention where it becomes clear that there will be NO MORE Firefly. That stung, especially in the wake of the collective optimism that the fact the movie was even made in the first place instilled in all of the fans. Your interpretation, I think, is more convincing. Whedon is a hell of a director, and the nuances of this film were lost on me because I was, well, younger and dumber 11 years ago, and I don't know that I've seen the film all the way through since, and I was certainly sad, or even a touch angry in the wake of beloved characters dying as they did. Part of me still wonders what really motivated the killing of characters that may not have needed to die, but the point you make about the Serenity crew being the loses of every conflict in which they are a part is well-taken, and almost certainly has a lot to do with the affection that audiences feel toward them. So, in that respect, it does make sense, I think. I shy away from saying you've "explained the film" here and settled, entirely, the niggling doubts I had about it, but you've gone a long way toward laying some frustrations that, I and, from my discussions with others about the film, a number of other fans had. And from a standpoint of someone who just appreciates film as art more now than I did 11 years ago, it's hard not to admire the craftsmanship that went into this film, something you are particularly fantastic at illuminating. It's easy to forget that it's pretty awesome to see a television director make such a tremendous film debut, even if it wasn't particularly well-received. So, as with a couple of other movies, you've shed a good bit of light on what I personally thought about the film, and nudged me from lukewarm appreciation to genuinely believing that I need to give them another watch. I said this at the outset, but it really is impressive the way you're able to pick apart a film and shed some light on the nuts and bolts of what makes it great, as well as the actual content itself and why it should be appreciated. This isn't generally what criticism I read does, and in fact much of it looks down on enjoying art, because in the critic's mind, art exists to be examined, not enjoyed. I hope you keep making a great deal more of these videos, because quite honestly I'd love to see a new wave of criticism centered more around fostering an enjoyment for the medium IN STEP with a greater understanding of it, and that those two things needn't be mutually exclusive, and can even feed INTO each other. But, enough of my fawning over the combination of artistry, intellect, and constructive discourse on display here (kept going, stopping here now, for real). My vote, such as it is, will have to be for Dark Knight and Grand Budapest Hotel. Two great films, and I'd love to see what you can do with them.

[@roxomega]

Them: "so how big of a firefly fan are you." Me: I've never not sang along to the intro after the first time hearing it and to this day I've never finished the song because I always get choked up by the end.

[@Adenfall]

I like to tell you a story also (nowhere as good as yours but anyway). My friend and I are Tim Burton fans and we saw that Corpse Bride was coming out so we decided to go and see it in the theater and watch it. As we are in line ready to get tickets for Corpse Bride, a man approached us from the back and asked us what we were seeing we told him Corpse Bride he said, “I have two tickets for Serenity would you like them?” My friend and I looked at each other a I asked, “what’s Serenity?” He man looked at us and told us, “It’s based off a cancelled TV show called Firefly.” And I responded with, “Oh yeah, I remember that show it came out a couple of years ago, I wanted to see it but I could never see to find it.” So my friend and I took the tickets and he said “enjoy” and I walked away from us. Hey we’re thinking ‘free tickets are free tickets’ “we can always watch Corpse Bride later y’know. So we went and watched and we’re blown away about the story, the characters, the atmosphere of everything it was amazing. So we get done with the movie and we head out of the theater and head to Best Buy to find the box set of the ‘first season’. We go back to our apartment and binge it in a day, it’s like 3am I’m the morning as we finish band we’re still pumped up and we start searching the web for the second season, and we can’t find anything. So I pick up the box set and realize it say Completed Series on it and we’re devastated about it. We head to bed at 5am and as soon as we get up we watch the series again straight through then after work we watched it again and again. For approximately 2 weeks straight weeks we watched the show straight. I’ve been a diehard Browncoat since then. it’s the best show ever,hands down nothing is close. Some come close in my head but nothing will ever replace it. Thank you doing this video. It’s touching and I’m glad you’ve made it. The signal never stops

[@NunSuperior]

You can't take this guy from me.

[@joelhassig6099]

"Scuse me, while I kiss this guy" - Jimi Hendrix

[@GurungyNoHamuster]

When you see people die in a Joss Whedon script, remember his mantra: "jeopardy must be real". Ever since I heard that I have never been able to like any script where all the good guys pull through. Because they didn't earn it.

[@Dawt_Calm]

Not a criticism because this was brilliant, but I have to say the show wasn't so much about loss, it was about perseverance. Most importantly it was perseverance together. Each brought something to the table in terms of being able to get them out of (and into) various situations. Even though the Doctor was brilliant and compassionate, Wash was an incredible pilot, Zoe was fierce, calculating yet level headed and so on, each on their own wouldn't be enough to survive forever. Even River, who was a burden because of the attention she brought from the Alliance, was a wild card that Whedon could draw when he needed to. The point of it is "From many, one". Yes they lost a lot of the time, and if you'll allow a metaphor here, they could salvage what they could from that loss and continue on together. Whedon used separation to really terrify us at times. For instance in "Out of Gas", things looked the most bleak as each shuttlecraft went in opposite directions away from Serenity. And we, as an audience, realized that when they are separated they're at their most vulnerable. This is kind of a trope but still its used to great effect. Like Kirk, Spock and Bones in Star Trek V when Kirk said "I've always known I'll die alone." That was full on acknowledging that he was "incomplete" when the trio was separated. Even though someone was there (Picard) when Kirk died he was still "alone" because Kirk was separated from the rest of his "Ka-tet". So you're right it was somewhat about loss, but more importantly it was about losing together and being able to carry on. The biggest dread was when Book died and the Ka-tet was broken and then Wash died. Everyone was being wounded grievously and we're all sitting there in horror thinking "How are we all supposed to get through this?" And Zoe provides the answer by shutting down her feelings "He ain't coming" (referring to Wash). So we're supposed to do the same, but our minds are already in the future and the question is "How are we supposed to carry on after?" And that is the dread the woman in the theater was trying to cope with. The answer to that is, it never heals, but you learn to live with that missing piece of yourself. Even though Book and Wash can't be replaced, there might still be more in the Ka-tet. Also Serenity herself was part of their Ka-tet. So it may be that Firefly might not be remade and probably shouldn't be. But that doesn't mean that universe is dead to us. There may yet be a show in that universe. And perhaps we could get a glimpse of what happens to the Serenity Ka-tet also. To make it work it would have to be one heluva creative writing group. For reference "Ka-tet" is from Stephen Kings Dark Tower series. It means "One made from many" or a group of people summoned together by Ka. Which is sort of like fate with a plan, or the force perhaps.

[@theupperechelon7634]

Everybody dies alone. Otherwise I agree.

[@beachcomber2008]

_"it never heals, but you learn to live with that missing piece of yourself"_ is the truth behind conscious existence. It's only temporary (conscious existence!), so it's best to acknowledge it while one can.

[@Elzzaw]

The only thing I'd be on board with if it ever came to reviving Firefly would be placing the new episodes between where the TV show left off and Serenity began. There were a lot of unanswered questions and plot points that would have been interesting. eg. We knew Book came from a pretty dark past, but we never got to see that, or even hear stories about it, I was looking forward to learning more about him.

[@Jillbles]

I watched Serenity on DVD, in my home. When Wash died, I shouted, "NO!!" and cried for the rest of the movie. More quietly than the woman in your theater; I wouldn't have been ejected. But I never stopped crying.

[@nanairomiso]

Another person that watched Serenity on accident when I rented the DVD from RedBox in college, was promptly very confused and angry, then watched the series, re-watched the movie and cried. Much jumbled emotions and then I loved the movie more. One of the few series I still re-watch to this day.

[@Minerva013]

I just spent the last two days binge watching your work. I feel like words literally fail me in finding a way to express how I feel, so I just wanted to say thank you (and thank everyone else who helps or is a part of your vids), as you have moved me to tears multiple times (iron giant), and have blown my mind, while also opening my mind to so many things that I miss (Rei giving into darkside) when I watch a movie. For realsies. Ty

[@filmjoy]

[m] Aww. Thank you so much! But the show is 100% just lil' ol me. I do all of it, but it's kind of a way to unpack my mind. The regimented slog of audio and video editing seems to calm me down a lot.

[@Zack-if8se]

literally said "ooh" out loud at that closing statement. A+

[@StepBackHistory]

I think you are right about Firefly being better for being cancelled. It could have ended up as space Community.

[@rossthesauceboss]

community had a spectacular season 2,3 and pretty great seasons 5 and 6.

[@zactrollo8402]

ᖇOSS Tᕼᕮ Sᗩᑌᑕᕮ ᗷOSS thank you

[@cinedojo8252]

I agree. I think it benefits from being so short. Much more like a British tv show in terms of amount of episodes, no filler at all. Then the film brings the crew’s personal arcs to a lovely conclusion.

[@travisspazz1624]

I always imagined Firefly being 5 seasons. And Community was funny throughout. Though I think S1 is the best and S4 is not as bad as people say it is.

[@slavking2797]

I believe it could have been the best show ever. Buffy proves Joss can create many great seasons with few misfires.

[@AspelShuyin]

I'm not even a browncoat and this had me tearing up. Damn you're good.

[@Cal6009]

Always outnumbered, never outgunned.

[@justthefirstlevel]

Jayne?

[@veralenora4033]

And he was wrong. I mean FilmJoy. At the end, River is finally unleashed and she's unstoppable. (Like Buffy, the vampire slayer). Everyone swirls around failing, then River, ... finally ... succeeds.

[@shannonpotratz489]

Couldn't agree more. It's a bitter blessing that Firefly was cancelled. I've watched so many shows that went on way too long that by the time they finally ended (or were finally put out of their misery) I was either tired of watching it or had given up entirely. Firefly was taken from us while it was the best thing on TV (even if no one knew it at the time). It's status is legendary and we're still talking about it nearly 20 years later. I don't think that would be the case had it not been cancelled. I look at it this way, we have almost 15 hours of nearly perfect storytelling (and world building) that may never be rivaled. I call that a win...

[@davecantshutup7446]

You seriously made me cry with this one. I thought I was crazy but I showed it to my wife and she cried too. You did it, man, you made me love this show even more. I can't get over it

[@toslowlypoke]

river's "how dare you question me" look to zoe during the intro might be the best thing ever put on film.

[@ethanhatcher5533]

“Because, you can’t take the sky from me” brb crying in the corner

[@liveactionlink8736]

That story about the lady losing her mind in the theater really got to me, I guess because that's how I felt on the inside while I sat there watching all these characters I loved so dearly suddenly vanish from existence (whether from them dying, thinking they were dying, or because at that point I knew this was the last time they'd play those characters ever again)

[@charlesreid9337]

Seeing wash... the quiet one. Only there to fly and because he was in love. The one character who "isnt important".. isnt going to save the say... saves them all.... has his finest moment... and dies in front of us... our hearts all broke. ANY other character could have died. Even mal... and we'd have accepted it .. but Wash...

[@liveactionlink8736]

@@charlesreid9337 Yep... yep... and yep. His death was also used as a way to make the viewers realize that these characters can actually die, so right after Wash's death you truly believe they all might die in the scene where they're all seriously injured and trapped in the corridor ready to fight to their deaths to prevent the Reavers from getting past them to where Mal is

[@LoganLS0]

Also Gina Torres as Zoë Washburn is insanely hot.

[@AlphaZedMinor]

"You can't take the sky from me" ~ RIP Ron Glass

[@ozoneozone1538]

Think Police Squad started as a TV series which got cancelled only to be made into 3 movies!

[@GumpusRex]

ozone ozone yes but had more episodes before cancellation I believe

[@trevorcooley5563]

Six is all it had. They are really good, though.

[@saxon1014]

Happy Unification Day. (Sept 20th). You made me cry. I was one of the 11 Browncoats who got to be an extra in Serenity. I thought at first you were talking about me in the theater, except I didn't get escorted out...but I was very vocal! I'd made a decision against watching it when it was finished, but Adam Baldwin talked me into seeing it again. So, I went to the premiere, walked the red carpet, and saw it in the same theater as the stars. Went to the after party, literally had a fangirl bucket list night. Seems like a lifetime ago. Yes you opened old wounds, but you also stirred up some cherished memories. We did do the impossible (Check out Done The Impossible if you haven't seen it), and that makes us mighty.

[@dmscrap1571]

The second you said "Can't take the sky from me". I got goosebumps all over and a form of a tear in my eye. Thank you for vocalizing the love that I and so many others have for this show, crew... all of it. Thank you.

[@ZSuttonPhoto]

The Black Friday deal that no one is talking about....Mikey Covering Serenity. Price - 23 minutes of cold-hearted yearning.

[@StaticV]

I'm still not a big fan of the voting, id like to hear your thoughts on all of those movies, why you gotta make us play Sophie's choice with them

[@jblue1622]

StaticV I agree to this!

[@MKCIJI]

Just binged on all you eps. WOW! Please make more, these are awesome!

[@krymzenknight6674]

Still to this day quite an awesome and we'll put together video on one true underdog that made the best of what it had and still stands tall to this day. Still remember watching this series when it aired; regardless of the out of order airing still fell in love with all that firefly is!!! Still remember when the movie was announced and the excitement that rose from within. This video has brought back many fond memories, thank you for the fantastic work you put into this video! Thank you to all the hands that put their time, effort, blood sweat and tears into the creation of firefly and serenity. Can't ever see there being anything else like it again!

[@MooCartoon]

The after this loving tribute is put online, Book's actor Ron Glass passes away. Goddamn it 2016.

[@violenceonelove]

Brilliant and exactly right. Also Capaldi's first season smash cut to your face saying come at me made me laugh more than it should. I adore you.

[@filmjoy]

+Michele Morrow [m] Awww. Miss you, friend!

[@wirelesmike73]

Because I apparently lived under a rock for several years, I had never even heard of Firefly when I saw Serenity. I was under the impression that it was a stand-alone movie. And, I have to say, as a standalone movie... It really worked. I loved everything about it; the story, the cast, the ship, the music, the general look and feel of the world it took place in, EVERYTHING. So Firefly, for me, was more like a series of bonus prequels to a movie that I loved. I didn't have to learn who the characters were over time, I knew who they were from the beginning which, in a way, made it seem like my first time watching the series was more like a second viewing that allowed me to appreciate it even more. To this day, it's still one of my favourite movies.

[@craigwheller]

I NEVER subscribe to youtube channels, but your talent and sincerity about this topic won me over, brilliant video.

[@trevorbatesanimation1883]

We are in the middle of watching this and we just heard that Ron Glass died. #shepherdbooklives

[@MeganABarns]

I rank what I would like to see as- 1. The Dark Knight. 2: Gone Girl. 3: The Grand Budapest Hotel. 4: The Hurt Locker. 5: The Departed. Though seriously, anything you post I will watch

[@jenhalbert3001]

Thanks so much, mikey, you made me love the show and want to rewatch serenity even more than I already did, which I didn't think was possible. And make me cry and laugh at the same time, which is probably actually Whedon more than you. But this video is beautiful and absolutely perfect, I can't thank you enough.

[@danlabowskie9428]

Firefly came out during my last year of high school which was busy and afterwards straight into the military. I love scifi it's my favorite genre. But I missed out on Firefly. Never even hearing about it until I seen an old American news paper in Iraq with an ad for a new upcoming scifi movie called Serenity. I was hooked just with the ad. The first move I purchased when I got back to the states was Serenity. I watched it literally 50 times (it was the only thing I had to watch). I loved it. Didn't even know it was based off of a TV show. When I did find out about Firefly I binged the series in Netflix years later many times. All around great show. Definitely one of my favorite universes.

[@casir.7407]

grand budapest, please. also a coincidence, just today i saw pushing daisies again after years and i dont remember ever watching something that made me feel so happy, so warm, and so hopeful in such a consistent way. i see what you mean in fear of revivals and remakes, but in a certain way, even if something is lost in the continuation of the story that created such strong emotions, isnt there an understandably very strong desire to have that feeling renewed? doesnt that desire sort of trump the fear of a new disappointment? happiness, or at least catharsis, in some way, truly is like a slice of pie in an unknown restaurant one cant go back to again. snicket really was onto something.

[@stagelinedpro]

We've got to treasure what we've got, 'cause you can't take the sky from me.

[@mr.2cents.846]

You can't take this DVD from me.

[@morganoconnell9824]

I found your channel because of this critique. I have since this gone through several of your criticisms and enoy your work. But this moved me... truly. I am one of the throngs who found firefly on dvd and became a newly minted browncoat only a few years ago and my love for this universe has only expounded since. Thank you for this. Keep flyin

[@deaks25]

I saw literally one random episode of Firefly & was hooked; it has such a unique tone. I love that the interior of the ship itself was one massive set so they could do the walking-through-the-ship takes. And you get the impression by the directing, writing quality & performances that everyone enjoyed crafting that universe. You're right though, Firefly/Serenity will always be outstanding because there will never be gaps in a series that is filled in with continuity-breaking episodes written the night before filming started or schedule clashes or arguments. It will always be a shining beacon of awesome. Great work yourself as well by the way.

[@filmjoy]

[m] IF YOU LIKE CAUSIN' TROUBLE UP IN HOTEL ROOMS!

[@FuriosoDrummer]

IF YOU LIKE HAVIN' SECRET LITTLE RON DAY VOOS

[@legoneb]

+Chainsawsuit Originals I broke the chain way after it died how do you feel.

[@stevenorwood5005]

my name is serenity

[@RagnarOdinson]

@FilmJoy All I know is this... Goddamn! I LOVE this film/show!! Firefly is a special piece of art that I always come back to whenever the darkness and despair of my life's personal tragedies start to overwhelm me. In September of 2004 I lost the only thing I've ever Truly loved, she was gone Forever and I can't get her back. Serenity was released almost exactly one year later, and after watching it in the theater I immediately bought the Firefly DVD box set. I couldn't tell ya how many times I've re-watched all of it, and I can't explain exactly why These Characters and This Story are such a comforting experience. There's just something Special about it all that puts a smile on my face and brings a little light back into my world Every Time. "I am a Leaf on the Wind... Watch how I Soar."

[@_AF__]

OK, it's like, noon. Crying wasn't on my agenda today... Also, did I manage to be the first view? Also, also, 1. The Dark Knight. 2: Gone Girl.

[@lyz8908]

Alexander Fattal I'm definitely crying. but crying is a normality for me lol

[@andrewcrosswhite2518]

This is a super accurate summation of what I feel about the series. I really appreciate the effort of the video. Also, using the leftovers score made me nearly breakdown at my desk. Well done.

[@marxmeesterlijk]

Everytime I watch one of your videos I feel like I watched a 6 hour filmschool masterclass in some crazy high octane less than 30 minute postmodern rollercoaster. Also firefly was great!

[@worthasandwich]

When I went to see Serenity it was the Pittsburgh advanced showing. At the scene where Mal and the agent are fighting, when one of them stabs the other and you are not sure what happened yet... the film tore in the projector and melted. After about a half an hour the were able to sort of fix it.

[@LukasMyhan]

Dark Knight & Grand Budapest! Great episode.

[@cythusly]

Fantastic, Mikey. Just got a chance to sit down and watch this. So good and a great unpacking of what makes Firefly/Serenity what it is. The Terriers reference was much appreciated. Hope you have a great day, buddy!

[@smilejenkins]

I come back to this video every once in a while

[@gameworkerty]

Jubal Early is named after my roommate's great great great grandfather.

[@ppk2823]

Would you consider doing a "Movies with Mikey" episode that covers both the 26 episode running and movie of Cowboy Bebop?

[@remembertotakeshowerspleas355]

That movie was fantastic. Has some of the best fight animation ever put to film, from one of my all time favorite animators.

[@jasminechibanda7889]

Please please please do cowboy bebop!!!!!

[@candicewaller403]

Ok, thanks for making me cry! That last line had me literally tearing up. Subscribed.

[@buffyVampslyr364]

Ugh.. all the tears. So many tearrrrsssssssss

[@jaredchadwick3144]

I really enjoy your videos because of how detailed and seriously you look at movies. You don't have to throw on the "laugh" sign or make a dick joke every time you start to get into serious points. Still a great video though! Oh, and Dark Knight and Grand Budapest for me, please.

[@mguin2104]

Budapest & Dark Knight? I think you nailed what always vaguely unsettled me about Serenity: it was the end, and everything about the film said so.

[@BlackADHDcoach]

mguin THIIIISSS⬆⬆⬆⬆⬆⬆⬆⬆⬆⬆

[@Tallgrassband]

Really glad to have found your channel today, love what I've seen so far, can't wait to binge all your videos. Thanks for all your work!

[@memekingk373]

"You can't take the sky from me." I'm crying

[@devtrash]

Dude. I watched Firefly on broadcast TV.

[@peteman1000]

damnit mikey, you made me cry again. Dark knight and Grand Budapest.

[@AngelicRain]

Daaamn what have you done? *sobs* Way to beat my heart with the feels stuck over and over and over again. Good job.

[@OldHumbleDistillingCompany]

This was an absolute epic review. I love the way you do the WHOLE movie all at once and seemingly free flow stream of though reviews from that point. God that's amazing.

[@IsyEskenazi]

You forgot another TV show that was great and then it got revived and wasn't all that great: Arrested Development

[@teejgreen6591]

why am i always in tears at the end of mwm? how do you do it goddamnit mikey aaanyway, The Departed and Hurt Locker, like, tots obvs

[@sudevsen]

teej green it's the max Richter music

[@SolidRollin]

Sudev Sen Thank you! I couldn't place that song until I read your comment. It's The Leftovers theme. Love it.

[@enigma19833]

Yep, when you use Max Richter in your video, you're bringing out the big guns.

[@johnymey4034]

I know, I'm sitting here going to the comments trying to see if anybody else is reacting the same as I am , a grown man pretending to be on the roof of his office building having a smoke because he's too choked up to go back to work

[@2dreviews]

I've been through Every Frame of Painting and much of Nerdwriter1. I've watched and re-watched RedLetterMedia's reviews on Star Wars and Star Trek. I've seen much of Ryan Hollinger's work, devoured all of Lessons from the Screenplay, consumed Mr. Nerdista's work, and poked around Now You See It, The Royal Ocean Film Society, The Discarded Image, Digibro, and Cinematography Database (back when he was analyzing full movies). And this is the most powerful video essay I've seen. I stood up and applauded. You've taught me something and I'll forever be impressed, grateful, and a subscriber.

[@iancowan3527]

Thank you... The way you unrolled and explain your take on the movie and show... Really is fitting and rock solid... My 50yr old parents were huge fans and the ones that got me into seeing it all... And it truly is... The story about the underdogs, making it day to day the only way they knew how and only as they would except themselves as being... Which isn't easy... Isn't pretty... And isn't fake - for those who's hearts and minds are still fighting there own fight! Again, thank you for giving this the human touch...

[@chrisellis4979]

I absolutely love your videos, Mikey. Putting my votes in for Nolan and Scorsese. Keep up the awesome work.

[@grahamkristensen9301]

Dan sent me. BTW, your channel is awesome.

[@silentknightjeffries8372]

Now I feel like crying Inconsolably. Beautiful! I completely agree that this should not be rebooted. On the one hand, adding more episodes can never really destroy what we already had. However, Firefly is deeply rooted in our hearts. And I think it's that constant longing that has and will keep it burning for many many years to come. And whenever I want to see where the show might have gone, I read fan fiction. I know fan fiction can be a bit controversial, but I can either take or leave any of it. There are great stories out there, written by die hard fans and I have head cannoned several of them. (You can't stop the signal)

[@brockshelves5288]

I saw Serenity before I had seen a single episode of Firefly. The world building and backstory is presented so deftly that I was drawn in immediately. I was in tears by the end; I really thought all these characters I had come to love were about to die. Thanks for your words about one of my favorite movies.

[@SmidgenKnight]

Gone girl and The Departed And now that I've voted, just... Gorram, man, just too too too too good. I love hearing your take on movies I actually know and love, because either you put your thumb on the heartbeat of WHY I love them, or you take a completely different tack on them, and give me something new to think about.And no matter which way it goes, I am typically just wrecked afterwards. So thank you/ouch?

[@Pierre-gk5ky]

Aaaaaand Subbed.

[@spangelicious837]

*sniff* This the absolute best tribute to Firefly/Serenity ever. I'm so glad I've found your channel.

[@OutsideTheTargetDemographic]

You made me laugh, you made me cry, and you earned my respect. Thank you for your time and energy.

[@JoshMartin123]

The Departed (since Scorsese's new film Silence will be coming out in December) & The Grand Budapest Hotel (would love to see Mikey talk about Wes Anderson)

[@woodrowjang]

This might be my favorite MWM yet...

[@MediaCastleX]

That was beautiful and I also worry/care deeply about that person...I am still crying simply by your telling of the experience. 😭

[@malirabbit6228]

Wow, this just shows up in my videos to watch. Your analysis is spot on! I am going to Binge watch the show again ,for the unteenth time , today.

[@GreggGagnon121010]

Mal is my favorite character of any show or movie. Great show, great movie. I aim to misbehave.

[@Maximilianus101]

I NEED you to break down the Departed, Mikey. I NEED IT. Like, if you don't end up making the Departed episode, I'll fly to Texas and buy you a beer so we can talk about it. And, uh...Dark Knight, I guess?

[@deuceandguns]

I come back and rewatch this video every few months. It's part of Firefly.

[@SolaiGWC]

I am so in love with Movies with Mikey. I share it with all of my friends who understand good discussions + scifi. The Serenity video I watch once a quarter. Thank you my friend. I appreciate your wit, your insight, your cleverness and your intelligence. It is a breath of fresh air in a world where it is clearly becoming a limited resource.