M.E. Russell writes a fantastic review (if you can review a preview of an unfinished movie) of Serenity, the movie based on the sadly-cancelled Firefly.
If you’re not familiar with it:
Created by Joss Whedon (of Buffy and Angel fame), Firefly is one of those shows like Sports Night — beloved by fans and critics alike, but it just didn’t pull in the ratings numbers, so Fox cancelled it. They subsequently released the entire series (including un-aired episodes) on DVD, and sales went through the roof.
On the strength of those sales, and the online community that has built up around the series, Universal green-lit (green-lighted?) Serenity, named for the series’ spaceship. The fans are going crazy, and the movie is sure to be a success.
I caught on to the hoopla a few months ago, when I finally Netflixed the DVDs. The show is really, really good. The perfect writing, the unique world-view and the fantastic chemistry the actors have make it truly great television.