Serenity is coming: This Friday, the much anticipated Serenity movie hits the big screen. Diana and I have been big fans of the original TV series "Firefly" ever since some friends of ours hosted a party in which a bunch of us watched all 14 original episodes in one sitting (interspersed with meals, popcorn, and beer). It's unusual that a cancelled TV series gets turned into a feature film, but given the quality of the show and the intensely loyal fan base, I'm glad that it did.

For interested viewers, the Sci-Fi Channel will be running a 10-hour marathon of the "Firefly" series, plus a preview of the "Serenity" movie, starting this Tuesday 9/27 at noon. Or you can buy the full set of "Firefly" DVD's from Amazon for just $30.

The official studio blurb on the movie goes as follows:

Joss Whedon, the Oscar - and Emmy - nominated writer/director responsible for the worldwide television phenomena of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE, ANGEL and FIREFLY, now applies his trademark compassion and wit to a small band of galactic outcasts 500 years in the future in his feature film directorial debut, Serenity.

The film centers around Captain Malcolm Reynolds, a hardened veteran (on the losing side) of a galactic civil war, who now ekes out a living pulling off small crimes and transport-for-hire aboard his ship, Serenity. He leads a small, eclectic crew who are the closest thing he has left to family - squabbling, insubordinate and undyingly loyal.

When Mal takes on two new passengers - a young doctor and his unstable, telepathic sister - he gets much more than he bargained for. The pair are fugitives from the coalition dominating the universe, who will stop at nothing to reclaim the girl. The crew that was once used to skimming the outskirts of the galaxy unnoticed find themselves caught between the unstoppable military force of the Universal Alliance and the horrific, cannibalistic fury of the Reavers, savages who roam the very edge of space. Hunted by vastly different enemies, they begin to discover that the greatest danger to them may be on board Serenity herself.

What I enjoyed the most about the TV series were the clever plotlines, mixing drama and humor. The characters were also well-drawn, with the usual witty Whedonesque dialogue. If you're already a fan of "Firefly", then I'm sure you're also looking forward to the movie. If you're not yet a fan, then you need to check it out!