Serenity Blu-ray Review

Universal’s Blu-ray transfer of "Serenity" presents a 1080p encode in the movie’s native 2.35:1 aspect ratio, utilizing the VC-1 compression scheme. This is a well-executed transfer, maintaining high levels of detail across varied lighting conditions. In darker scenes, the encoding does an impressive job preserving shadow details and black levels without introducing noise or artifacting. Brightly-lit sequences, on the other hand, showcase vibrant and saturated colors, with fine details like fabric textures and skin pores depicted with remarkable clarity. Importantly, there is an absence of artificial sharpening or undesirable picture anomalies, setting a standard for demo-worthy material.

The transfer does exhibit some of the film's inherent stylistic choices, such as grain and high-contrast elements. While these contribute to the film’s grungy, rough aesthetic—retained from its previous HD DVD release—the Blu-ray nonetheless delivers a commendable sense of depth and overall clarity. Contrasts remain strong with rich color palettes, though not always natural, adding to its striking visual appeal. However, certain drawbacks persist, including some occurrences of black crush which obscure finer shadow details. Despite occasional noise and slight jagged edges in specific scenes, there are no significant encode problems like motion artifacts or posterization.

Overall, "Serenity" offers a visually arresting experience on Blu-ray, balancing its stylized look with high-definition clarity that can make it an exemplary addition to any collection.

The Blu-ray release of "Serenity" boasts an impressive and engaging audio experience, captivating listeners with its dynamic 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio lossless track. This mix delivers extensive surround activity, enhancing every explosion, gunshot, and rocket blast with immersive panning effects and a striking sense of ambiance and separation. The soundtrack by David Newman effectively supports the on-screen action with thematic depth, elevating the emotional impact carried over from the "Firefly" television series. Dialogue is crisply rendered and remains clear amidst the vivid action, while low-frequency effects ensure a thunderous and room-shaking experience that will undeniably engage any subwoofer to its maximum potential.

The upgrade from the original HD DVD’s Dolby Digital-Plus track to DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 on the Blu-ray version represents a significant enhancement. This high-resolution audio format (48kHz/24-bit) offers more robust rear discrete effects, superior imaging, and a heightened sense of separation in the surrounds. The dynamic range is notably improved, offering fuller low bass and an overall brighter high-end. Additionally, the front channels benefit from distinct separation, particularly in the center, where dialogue clarity is maintained without being overshadowed by the score and effects. These technical improvements contribute to a richer and more engaging auditory experience, making this Blu-ray a definitive audio upgrade.

The Blu-ray release of "Serenity" offers a solid array of supplemental features that cater to both new viewers and hardcore fans of the franchise. The picture-in-picture commentary is a highlight, showcasing the camaraderie of the cast and their enthusiasm for the project. Joss Whedon's visual commentary and solo track delve into the technical aspects of filmmaking, making it a treasure trove of insider knowledge. Featurettes like "What's in a Firefly" and "Digital Tour of Serenity" provide an engaging glimpse into the ship's details, sure to please science fiction aficionados. For those interested in the lore, "Alliance Database" and "Future History - The Story of Earth That Was" offer a deep dive into the series' mythology. Universal has meticulously crafted a collection of extras that elevates the viewing experience, ensuring there's something for every type of fan.

Extras included in this disc:

• Alliance Database: An exploration into the film's intricate mythology.
• Mr. Universe Compendium: Additional lore and universe details.
• Digital Tour of Serenity: An interactive exploration of the titular ship.
• Picture in Picture: Cast commentary during playback.
• Visual Commentary with Writer/Director Joss Whedon & Cast: Insightful group discussion.
• BD Live: My Scenes Sharing: Share favorite scenes via BD-Live.
• Feature Commentary with Writer/Director Joss Whedon: In-depth technical and creative commentary.
• Feature Commentary with Writer/Director Joss Whedon & Cast Members Nathan Fillion, Adam Baldwin, Summer Glau and Ron Glass: Collaborative cast insights.
• Deleted Scenes with Optional Commentary by Director Joss Whedon: Extra scenes with commentary.
• Future History - The Story of Earth That Was: Background on the series' universe.
• What's In A Firefly: Overview of key visual effects sequences.
• Re-Lighting The Firefly: Behind the scenes on reviving the franchise.
• A Filmmaker's Journey: Whedon's personal journey in making the film.
• We'll Have A Fruity Oaty Good Time!: Humorous behind-the-scenes content.
• Extended Scenes: Added footage not included in the final cut.
• Take A Walk On Serenity: Walkthrough of the ship's set.
• The Green Clan: Focus on a specific group within the universe.
• Session 416: Additional context and storyline extensions.

In the unique cinematic landscape, "Serenity," directed by Joss Whedon, emerges as a standout in science fiction storytelling, surpassing its source material, the television series "Firefly." Building upon the underdog sensation of "Firefly," which was prematurely canceled after just 11 episodes, "Serenity" presents a compelling narrative that appeals equally to fans and newcomers. The film deftly navigates through its plot, focusing on Captain Malcolm Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) and his motley crew, who are thrust into a high-stakes adventure due to the mysterious River Tam (Summer Glau). Whedon's storytelling is remarkably efficient; even those unfamiliar with "Firefly" can engage deeply within the first ten minutes, thanks to his sharp characterization and clear exposition.

Technically, "Serenity" offers an exhilarating blend of space opera and Western motifs, executed with adept direction and robust visual grandeur. The film’s backdrop of a universe governed by an authoritarian Alliance creates a perfect setting for spirited renegades fighting against oppression. Chiwetel Ejiofor’s portrayal of The Operative adds a layer of menace that intensifies the stakes for the crew of Serenity. Whedon's screenplay is rich with wit and dark humor, ensuring that despite the film's serious undertones, there's a balance of levity that keeps the narrative engaging. This juxtaposition of optimistic heroism against an expansive and oppressive universe invites favorable comparisons to other genre classics like "Star Wars."

In essence, "Serenity" stands as a testament to Whedon's creative prowess, seamlessly transitioning from television to film while preserving the rich character dynamics and thematic depth that garnered "Firefly" its devoted cult following. Despite its initial underperformance at the box office, "Serenity" continues to captivate viewers on home video, embodying a scrappy spirit and narrative complexity that transforms conventional sci-fi tropes into an epic tale of rebellion and hope.

'Serenity' on Blu-ray provides a top-notch viewing experience that will undoubtedly delight fans of the 'Firefly' television series while also captivating newcomers. The film's transition from HD DVD to Blu-ray showcases a significant upgrade in audio quality, with lossless formats delivering crisp and immersive soundscapes that enhance the already engaging narrative. The high-definition video is reference quality, offering clear, sharp images that showcase the film's visually stunning and inventive universe.

In addition to the exceptional audiovisual presentation, the Blu-ray edition is packed with an array of compelling special features. These include insightful commentaries, behind-the-scenes documentaries, and deleted scenes that provide a deeper understanding and appreciation of the characters and the creative process behind 'Serenity.' This wealth of additional content makes the Blu-ray particularly valuable for collectors and enthusiasts of the series.

'Serenity' is a terrifically entertaining film that will thrill fans of the original 'Firefly' television series while inspiring new converts to the amazing universe contained within this series. I came into the film upon its release as a neophyte to the series and was immediately compelled to catch up on what I'd missed. This Blu-ray edition features reference-quality video and audio, as well as an abundance of excellent special features. It's my sincere hope that as more people discover this great little science fiction gem, Universal will see fit to produce another film featuring these lovingly created characters. 'Serenity' is a must-see on Blu-ray.