SERENITY: The Deluxe Edition (2CD)

Serenity (2005) was the feature film sequel of Joss Whedon’s short-lived space-western TV series, Firefly (2002?03). When fans lamented the loss of the canceled show, Universal rescued the titular spaceship and its charismatic crew (including Nathan Fillion, Morena Baccarin and Alan Tudyk) for a big-screen adventure written and directed by Whedon.

Scoring Serenity was David Newman, whose vast and diverse filmography lent him well-prepared for anything the film might throw at him. From worldbuilding to character comedy to harrowing action, the score runs the gamut?but always hews to a sense of family and “home” for the Serenity and her offbeat crew. Solo cello and folksy percussion are found alongside eerie “ethnic” approaches, which turn dark and brutal for the barbaric villains, the Reavers, as the film explores their secret origin. But Newman balances the weirdness with familiar, dramatic orchestral scoring, ultimately creating an eclectic tapestry for Whedon’s unique vision.

Features:

Varese Sarabande’s 2005 soundtrack CD for Serenity was released as a 23-track, 50-minute program. This Deluxe Edition expands the album into a 2CD set, with 54 tracks featuring 90 minutes of prime David Newman sci-fi action, adventure, and emotion, as chronicled in new liner notes by Daniel Schweiger. --- *Excerpt from the label

CD1:
1 Opening/Intro To River 3:11
2 Escape 1:30
3 The Operative 0:49
4 Death Of Mathias 3:12
5 Serenity 0:50
6 Going For A Ride 2:24
7 Trading Station Robbery 3:08
8 Reaver Chase 3:41
9 Pop Goes The Reaver 0:15
10 They Never Lie Down 0:39
11 Mal Reminices 1:25
12 Transition 1:23
13 Maidenhead Bar 2:14
14 River Goes Wild 1:28
15 Mal Takes River In 1:04
16 River’s Eyes 0:12
17 Mal’s Decision 0:45
18 Mr. Universe 0:28
19 Subliminal Message 1:08
20 River & Simon In Locker 0:55
21 Haven Guitar 1:01
22 Come At You Sideways 1:26
23 School Flashback 0:35
24 Mal & Inara 0:28
25 Flight To Training House 0:57
26 Training House Fight 1:57
27 Escape From Training House 0:56
28 School Flashback/Miranda 1:37
29 River Gets Out 2:08
30 River Shows Mal & Miranda 0:29
31 Haven Destroyed 0:54
32 Shepherd Book’s Last Words 1:00
33 Warn Everyone We Know 0:36
34 You’re Not A Reaver 0:57

CD2:
1 Mal Decides 3:09
2 Population Dead 3:55
3 Truth/Mal’s Speech 3:36
4 Universe Gets It 1:17
5 Space Battle 3:21
6 Crash Landing 1:59
7 Wash Killed/Run To Black Room 2:55
8 Mr. Universe Dead 2:28
9 Generator Room 3:06
10 Mal & OP Fight 2:11
11 Simon Shot/River Runs 1:57
12 Jayne & Zoe/Final Battle 2:44
13 Broadcast Beams/River Is Alive 1:39
14 Funeral/Rebuilding Serenity 2:19
15 Prep For Flight 1:33
16 Love/Serenity 1:06
17 Serenity End Credits Pt. 1 1:38
18 Serenity End Credits Pt. 2 2:03
19 Serenity End Credits Pt. 3 0:43