Firefly - The Complete Series

Similar Items:

Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
As the 2005 theatrical release of Serenity made clear, Firefly was a science fiction concept that deserved a second chance. Devoted fans (or "Browncoats") knew it all along, and with this well-packaged DVD set, those who missed the show's original broadcasts can see what they missed. Creator Joss Whedon's ambitious science-fiction Western (Whedon's third series after Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel) was canceled after only 11 of these 14 episodes had aired on the Fox network, but history has proven that its demise was woefully premature. Whedon's generic hybrid got off to a shaky start when network executives demanded an action-packed one-hour premiere ("The Train Job"); in hindsight the intended two-hour pilot (also titled "Serenity," and oddly enough, the final episode aired) provides a better introduction to the show's concept and splendid ensemble cast. Obsessive fans can debate the quirky logic of combining spaceships with direct parallels to frontier America (it's 500 years in the future, and embattled humankind has expanded into the galaxy, where undeveloped "outer rim" planets struggle with the equivalent of Old West accommodations), but Whedon and his gifted co-writers and directors make it work, at least well enough to fashion a credible context from the incongruous culture-clashing of past, present, and future technologies, along with a polyglot language (the result of two dominant superpowers) that combines English with an abundance of Chinese slang.

What makes it work is Whedon's delightfully well-chosen cast and their nine well-developed characters--a typically Whedon-esque extended family--each providing a unique perspective on their adventures aboard Serenity, the junky but beloved "Firefly-class" starship they call home. As a veteran of the disadvantaged Independent faction's war against the all-powerful planetary Alliance (think of it as Underdogs vs. Overlords), Serenity captain Malcolm Reynolds (Nathan Fillion) leads his compact crew on a quest for survival. They're renegades with an amoral agenda, taking any job that pays well, but Firefly's complex tapestry of right and wrong (and peace vs. violence) is richer and deeper than it first appears. Tantalizing clues about Blue Sun (an insidious mega-corporation with a mysteriously evil agenda), its ties to the Alliance, and the traumatizing use of Serenity's resident stowaway (Summer Glau) as a guinea pig in the development of advanced warfare were clear indications Firefly was heading for exciting revelations that were precluded by the series' cancellation. Fortunately, the big-screen Serenity (which can be enjoyed independently of the series) ensured that Whedon's wild extraterrestrial west had not seen its final sunset. Its very existence confirms that these 14 episodes (and enjoyable bonus features) will endure as irrefutable proof Fox made a glaring mistake in canceling the series. --Jeff Shannon

Beyond Firefly on DVD

Watch Stargate: Continuum on DVD

Catch up on Stargate Atlantis on DVD

Check out Sunshine on DVD

Customer Reviews:   Read 2700 more reviews...

An excellent series, one of the best SciFi shows in years!   September 6, 2008
Joshua M. Sims (Owensboro, KY, USA)
If you spent any time online at all, you've probably come across references to Firefly, or even if you didn't know it, someone was quoting the show to you in conversation.

I had avoided the show completely the few times I would see it on television or when Serenity, the movie was released I knew I had to watch the entire series before checking it out. When I saw the price for the complete series on DVD was less than $25 on Amazon I knew it was time to check it out.

Honestly, I couldn't be happier with my purchase. The combination of western and scifi works better than I'd even expected and this show has pulled in both myself and my wife who doesn't know Star Trek from Star Wars.

Absolutely worth the purchase, and at the price at Amazon can't be beat! Thumbs up!


Awesome!   September 6, 2008
Robert Bigouette (Houston, TX)
I can only say wow. This is such tight writing, such awesome actors, it is perfect. And I can only say that I so wish that this on the air again!


Best DVD box set I've ever seen   September 6, 2008
Robert J. Orme (Trenton, Ontario Canada)
If you haven't seen Firefly, you NEED to get this DVD box set.
It is the best series I have ever seen.
I have introduced it to all my friends, and many coworkers of all ages, and I have not found a single person who hasn't liked it.
A must have.

Rob O


great show - not so great quality of merchandise   September 5, 2008
John Bowman
The series is great,but freash outta the box I had a huge tear in my DVD case plastic and a scratch which makes skip one of the other DVDs


Excellent DVD set   September 5, 2008
M. Tomlin (Baltimore, MD)
I've been a Joss Whedon fan for a while, and own all three of his series on DVD. Firefly is my favorite. There are more DVD extras in this set than there usually are, for the simple fact that the show was canceled well before it's time and the cast and crew were still invested in the show when the DVD was produced.

The show is wonderful; any Whedon fan will enjoy it. Far too short, though. Fox did the show and it's fans a great disservice by not following Joss's vision for the show (airing the episodes out of order primarily, and not giving it a chance to find a fan base outside of die hard Whedon fans).