Firefly - The Complete Series (DVD, 2009, 4-Disc Set)

Like many people, I missed this amazing show when it first aired on FOX. I only discovered it recently after seeing a preview for Serenity (the feature film spin-off). I get almost tongue tied when I try to describe the series. It crosses all genres. It's a western, a space fantasy, a drama, a comedy, a love story, a show unlike anything you've ever seen before!!! It's gritty and intense, drawing you into the center of the action. Despite the subject matter, you can't help feeling like this is all real. It must be the way it was filmed, very innovative. And the special effects team are geniuses! I was not a fan of Joss Whedon's other projects, like Buffy or Angel, but I bow down to the man for creating this masterpiece. The show revolves around a captain of a smuggling ship (a Firefly class called "Serenity") and the misfit crew he calls his family. There's the wacky pilot (who loves to play with toy dinosaurs), the first mate (a "warrior woman" who is married to the pilot), the bodyguard (not sure what to call him, but he's in love with his guns, LOL), the mechanic (a sweet girly girl who loves teddy bears and having sex in the engine room), passenger #1: the Companion (prostitution is legal and she gives the ship an air of class and sophistication), passenger #2: the Shepherd (a priest or minister, who hands out philosophical advice), passenger #3: a brilliant doctor (hiding out on the ship to protect his sister), and passenger #4: the doctor's sister River (a small girl with a big secret). Each episode runs the gamut of emotion. Lots of excitement and suspense, mixed with genuine heart. You'll laugh, you'll cry and you'll be thankful you bought the set so you can enjoy these episodes again and again! Two thumbs way way up!!!

My son watched Firefly when the series was on TV and loved it, he was there on the first day to purchase the DVD's, and had me watch them with him. Wow -- It's sad that it was on and off the air before most people even knew it existed - did they even do much advertising for it??? What a fun, funny, suspenseful, and enjoyable series. I want more! Serenity, which is the movie based on Firefly follows up on the life and adventures of the characters. We took a friend who had never heard of Firefly to see Serenity, and he was hooked as well. It is really sad that it's only one season! However, as it's more than just a cowboy, space, adventure or sci-fi movie, you'll watch it again and again. We have!

Firefly was a TV series, cancelled before it could actually make it. The stories were fresh and new, the characters were people we can love and relate to. It made us laugh and made us think. It was the type of show that TV executives dream will come their way and then don't recognize it when it does!

It was not a re-done Star Trek, there were no bumpy/fuzzy aliens, just human people trying to deal with their lot in life. To say it was a western sci-fi, only begins to give you an idea of what it was about. There were excellent and original concepts/dialog/acting.
I remember when Star Trek first came out. Those happy few of us who were fans, had to hide that we liked it because the majority of people failed to get it. Firefly is like that. Right now there are the fans and there are the people who don't get it.
Someday, somehow, if Joss Wheddon can stick to his guns, somehow the series will be revived and many people will then jump on the bandwagon. So be there first, get the series and enjoy!

Since Star Trek was described as "Wagontrain to the Stars" the idea of the wild fronteer being out space- strange new worlds and the like- has always seemed like the right way to set up this metaphor. But it was not until "Firefly" that someone got it right. Here is a truly interesting and "real" cast of characters, a world that is intricate but easy to understand, and no "alien" races with forehead make-up. Just a disfunctional future society, in a post-war setting, populated by people trying to make a living and explore by need.

Led by a dynamic and heroic captain, the crew of Firefly is unqiue and distinctive, and the scripts are about the best ever written for episodic television. The series ran for a short while on Fox but lives on in this boxed set that I own and watch repeatedly. The humor and insight as well as the casual comraderie of the characters makes this a series you can review with increasing pleasure.

I would say buy the set, and then block out a long weekend to watch all the episodes back to back. You will feel transformed and transported to a world that you will fall in love with immediately.

I got addicted to Firefly when I received Serenity as a gift at my work Christmas party. I rolled my eyes at it first, but some people in my office said it was good so I gave it a chance and loved it. I then found out that there was a whole TV series and I had to get it. I am truely sad that there is not more seasons!!!! I grew up with my father watching old cowboy shows and now this is like my own personal cowboy show, but in space....even better. Truely recommend it!!!

I had heard of this series, but unfortunately did not have access to the station that it was shown on. After Serenity came out, which was great, I decided that it was time to see the story from the beginning. I was pleasantly surprised and couldn't wait to own it so that I could watch it anytime I wanted to watch a very very great show. This show combines imagination, creativity, drama, mystery, and humor. A great combination for Firefly!

I'm one of the very few people that watched firefly from the very beginning. This tv series was awesome! I wish that they hadn't ended it. Firefly has something for everyone. Sci-fi, comedy, love, action! What's not to love!

The Greatest show to ever grace my TV. Rent or buy Firefly then watch Serenity the movie. I think you will find that its the greatest thing since Oxygen. I'm listening to the Firefly soundtrack right now.

Some of you may be discovering Joss Whedon's "'verse" from the new sci-fi hit movie Serenity. You'll be pleased to discover in this DVD set that this world has several excellently written and acted episodes with kick-butt action so you can further enjoy this world. Along with the thoroughly addictive episodes, there is a fine set of extras taking you behind the scenes of this high-quality sci-fi series.

There are so many reasons to love these episodes, 3500 chars can't tell it. From the bad-boy disillusioned Cap. Mal, to the winsome Kaylee, you can't help but get absorbed in every character and wonder about their past and future. And you know you've met some form of these folks in your own life, that's how 3D they are. The universe they live in has incredible texture-- the everyday fluency of Chinese, the resonant "new frontier" Western feel layered on top of space travel-- it feels RIGHT.

If there is a downside to these DVDs, it is that there are no more episodes after this-- yet. Fox, in its infinite (idiocy) wisdom, decided to cancel the series despite a loyal fan base and the obvious quality of the show. There is some hope -- many fans are petitioning today for the return of the series, and if the Serenity movie is successful and we all scream loudly enough, the series may return. That would be SO shiny!

If you haven't scene Firefly yet, you are really missing a great series! It has some of the most interesting characters ever created for a TV series with stories that really get you involved in their lives revealing little tidbits about their past that really leaves you wanting more! The scripts were so smart and fun, you'll be hooked from the first episode (which Fox really should have broadcast first instead of the episode they insisted on!). The DVD set lets you see them in the order creator Joss Whedan intended which just goes to prove yet again how much more intelligent he is than the network! And there are so many bonus features, it's wonderful! Every episode has commentary! Yeah! And a ton of interesting special featurettes too!

Bottom line is, get the series and you'll be hooked! Bad side of that is that you'll be wanting more!

the character interaction is great almost as if they had been making the show for a couple seasons. just wish they had made some more episodes.

From the back of the DVD set:
"Fire hundred years in the future there's a whole new frontier, and the crew of the Firefly-class spaceship Serenity is eager to stake a claim on the action. They'll take any job, legal or illegal, to keep fuel in the tanks and food on the table. But things get a bit more complicated after they take on a passenger wanted by the new totalitarian Alliance regime. Now they find themselves on the run, desperate to steer clear of Alliance ships and the flesh-eating Reavers who live on the fringes of space."

Firefly is the creation of Joss Whedon, the creator of Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel. While the series only ran for a total of 14 episodes (only 11 were aired, the remainder are available in the DVD set) it gained a large following and resulted in the movie "Serenity" which tied up the series nicely.

The series is a blending of several different genres, while it is most certainly a Science Fiction story, the feel of the show also owes a great deal to the classic Western tradition, down to the costumes and weapons of the show. At the same time this is an ensemble drama, and deals with unique characters in strange settings and even stranger situations.

The absence of aliens in the show keeps the stories centered on human goals and desires. This is a show about survival in a universe that none of the cast members feel a part of and in which they are all running from in one way or the other. The focus is on doing what needs to be done in order to ensure that the crew keeps flying and eating.

This was a very unique approach to the ensemble science fiction shows of the time and is highly recommended.

Also, the theme song is fabulous and the fact that they actually built the Serenity as a sound stage adds a level of continuity that makes the ship seem familiar and comfortable from the first episode.

My only complaint is that the short-sighted folks at FOX didn't understand how good this series was when they killed it.

Joss Whedon, hot off his success with "Buffy", came out with this one, proving that what comes around goes around, it's the future, but it plays like a western. That's fine by me, I like BOTH types. Well plotted and acceptably acted this series can honestly drag a little, but the high points and unexpected laugh out loud quips where you least expect them, make this one as fun to watch as reading your favorite comic title. I found myself liking Adam Baldwin's character, despite it's lack of depth or development. If you're not a sci-fi nut, this may not be for you, but if you count yourself among those who believe in IDIC then this is a don't miss series.

We loved the movie Serenity (except for the sexual references). Then we found out it was based on a sci-fi tv series called Firefly. So we bought it.
The negative first:
Obviously the screen writers don't think much of Christianity and the Bible as there are some disturbing elements that portray it very negatively.
Also there is nudity, sexual scenes, sexual comments, at lease one scene of homosexuality, and professional prostitution is glamorized and approved of.
So as it stands it is not suitable for children whose parents are trying to raise them with wholesome values.

What we loved about it.
The dialoge is surprising, hilarious, intelligent, and quirky.
The actors meld well together in their screen personalities and are excellent actors.
Each plot is surprising and creatively done.
We loved the dialog, acting and plots so much that we were greatly saddened by the fact that there are no more firefly or serenity movies.

Absolutely FLOORED by the depth, imagination and RARE down-to-earth characters.
There is no feeling of fantasy or, even watching a show or, movie. After just a few moments, you are drawn into the story so completely that when it's over there is a feeling of joy, laughter and loss..... You want more, you need to know these people better and you have to buy or, share this experience with all you know. I bought a set for every family member and friends. I could not wait to share! Don't miss these, They're Wonderful!

In the distant future, Captain Malcolm 'Mal' Reynolds is a renegade former interstellar officer now turned smuggler/rogue whom is the commander of a small spacecraft with a loyal hand-picked crew making up of first mate Zoe Warren; pilot Hoban 'Wash' Washburn; gung-ho grunt Jayne Cobb; engineer Kaylee Frye; fugitives Doctor Simon Tam and his psychic sister River, where they travel the far reaches of space in search of food, money, and anything to live off of.

Actors: Nathan Fillion, Gina Torres, Alan Tudyk, Morena Baccarin, Adam Baldwin,
Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
Number of discs: 4
Studio: 20th Century Fox
DVD Release Date: December 9, 2003
Run Time: 675 minutes
DVD Features:
Available Subtitles: English, Spanish
Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
14 episodes, including 3 that never aired
Commentary on Serenity Part 1 & 2, The Train Job, Shindig, Out of Gas, War Stories, Objects in Space, and The Message
Deleted scenes from Serenity, Our Mrs. Reynolds, Objects in Space
Featurettes: "Here's How How It Was: The Making of Firefly," "Serenity: The 10th Character," "Joss Tours the Set"
Alan Tudyk's audition
Gag reel
Joss sings the Firefly theme
Easter egg: Adam Baldwin sings "Hero of Canton"

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.

This Series was extreamly underated and over looked. This is a must see series. I resently discoved this show after watching the Movie serenity. I have not purched both Movie and TV Series. Along with many collectable items. If you love scfi on any level You will love this show.

I did not get a chance to watch Firefly on the air, but I rented the DVD's and thoroughly enjoyed this short lived but much beloved series. Written as only Joss and company can write, it was a story of flawed heros, decent people, set upon a beautiful canvas. I enjoyed that it wasn't a typical sci-fi show with strange aliens, but just the world as it may be one day in the future with the improvements made in technology and space travel. Excellent series!

If you are a Joss Whedon fan or a Sci Fi fan or an action adventure fan or you like hunky men or beautiful women then you have got to see this from the beginning. I like that there are no aliens or magic in this series. It's more like what life could really be like in the future. This is Whedon's best work. Excellently written and acted. Lots of behind the scenes bonus material too.

This is definitely one of the best television shows of all time. Unfortunately it was canceled way before it's time. Only 10 out their 12 episodes made it to air, but all 12 plus many bonus features like commentary and outtakes are included on this wonderful DVD set.

Joss Whedon definitely is a genius, he knows how to incorporate different themes perfectly within a television series. You get so much in this show: humor, love, drama, adventure, suspense and so much more! It also crosses all genres so everyone is sure to find something they love about it. It's unlike anything you've ever seen, it will have you on the edge of your seat. Each episode will have you wanting more and more!

The show takes place in space on a ship called Serenity run by Captain Mal Reynolds along with his crewmates Zoe, Wash, Jayne, Kaylee, River, Simon, Inara, and Book. All the characters have great story-lines behind them. First we have Zoe who is second in command to Mal. Next we have Wash who is flies the ship and is married to Zoe. Next is Jayne who is the muscle and loves guns. Then Kaylee who is the ship's mechanic and loves frilly dress. Simon is a doctor on the run to protect his sister River. Inara is a Companion (a prostitute as Mal calls her). And finally we have Book who is a Shepherd (a man of God). The more complicated story lines of these characters are for you to find out and enjoy!

All in all, this is definitely a DVD set you should pick up and enjoy!

Firefly is by far the best tv show of all time. It has a solid plot, the acting is impeccable, the storyline is gripping and Fox dropped the ball on this one. Even if you don't like sci-fi, you will like this...no strange weapons or futuristic aliens...just simple, good ol' fashioned fun. BUY THIS NOW!!!

If you're a fan of Joss Whedon's other series, such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, you should definitely look into buying this series. The thing I like best about his series are the way that he seamlessly blends drama, humor, character progression, and action all into one show. The characters and actors are great, and you have an immediate desire to learn about every character's past and how they became what they are at that moment. And the series definitely keeps you guessing at who these people really are. Unfortunately, there are many unanswered questions by the last episode because the series was cancelled. On a positive note, three unaired episodes are included, and the special features are definitely worth looking at. If you do decide to buy this series, I would definitely recommend that you buy the movie that was made to provide an end to the Firefly series, Serenity. It was wide-released in theaters and it is awesome. The action and special effects are even better than the series, and it has an awesome story.