Is Serenity better than Star Wars ?

It’s tempting to answer yes to the idea of any film being better than Star Wars - even if that film is Carry On at Your Convenience - such is the fantastic smugness of the Star Wars brand, with all its action-figure merchandise and the decision by its creator George Lucas to inflict an abysmal prequel-triology on his loyal fans.

SFX magazine recently solicited votes for the best sci-fi movie ever from its own top 10 : fans could cast their votes by clicking on the website. Serenity has just emerged as the winner (one place ahead of Star Wars). It’s a feisty little sci-fi action adventure from 2005 based on the cancelled TV show Firefly, and created by Joss "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" Whedon. The great man’s fans will now be checking into hospital A&E departments all over the world with repetitive-strain injury on their clicking fingers.

Admirers of the lost tradition of darkness and subversion in sci-fi movies - from Kubrick’s 2001 through Tarkovsky’s Solaris to Ridley Scott’s Alien - will be chuffed to hear of any rotten egg being chucked at the Church of Star Wars.

Serenity, though ? Well, it’s all about an idealist rebel against imperial tyranny who turns into a space pirate with a supercool crew. It is, of course, influenced by Star Wars, and particularly by the original movie, now reconfigured as Episode IV : A New Hope. But when it came out two years ago its sheer energy and fun made it a breath of fresh air compared with the obese catastrophe of the prequels. It has a stunning opening sequence, and the first half-hour is thrilling - after which, very sadly, it tails off. It may not be particularly dark or challenging, but a DVD rental is a must.

As for being better than Star Wars : well, unless you interpret that as meaning the whole six-pack and its bargain bin of attendant tat ... well, I would have to say : no.