DVD review (region 1)
Director Joss Whedon
Starring Nathan Fillion, Summer Glau, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Adam Baldwin
Release date Out now

Captain Malcolm Reynolds and the small crew aboard the spaceship Serenity are trying to eke out a not-entirely-legal living, while avoiding both the governing Alliance and the Berserker-like Reavers. The Alliance wants Mal to turn over a young passenger named River. But no one – even River herself – is aware that she is the key to an enormous, horrific secret…

The chances are that you’ve seen Serenity by now. Directed and written by Joss Whedon, it has been justly acclaimed for its superb cast, snappy dialogue and resonant plotting, as well as its intelligent combination of science fiction and Western elements. The real question is, if you’ve already got the regular Serenity DVD, do you want this new Collector’s Edition?

The short answer is yes. There is still debate as to exactly how much (if at all) fans of the short-lived TV series Firefly were instrumental in getting its big screen continuation made, but there can be no doubt that the fans’ requests are partly responsible for the existence of this damn fine Collector’s Edition.

This two-disc package has all the extras of the first DVD, including Whedon’s thoughtful commentary and a really funny outtake reel, plus a lot of new goodies.

These additions include a second commentary track with Whedon and actors Fillion, Glau, Adam Baldwin and Ron Glass; a charming 20-minute making of featurette that gives a sense of both how the film was made and the great on-set atmosphere; and a more conventional featurette that aired on the Sci Fi Channel.

The highlight, though, is the intriguing “interview sessions” with River as she is slowly transformed by The Alliance, and which acts as a prequel to both Serenity and Firefly. Abbie Bernstein

VERDICT: 9/10
Serenity is well worth owning under any circumstances - and the special features are indeed special.