Alwin was all psyched up about getting an early peek at the upcoming Serenity movie and being able to blog about it, but then came all the terms and conditions of the offer, and following them didn’t even guarantee he would still be able to see it:

I was more than willing to engage in a fair exchange - publicity and Google rank for a early shot to see a movie I’ve really been looking forward to seeing. Instead you tried to dictate the content of my space on the web for a nebulous offer that could disappear at a whim.

Alvin’s bummer pre-marketing experiences aside, I wonder if Serenity, based on Josh Whedon’s most excellent, but short-lived sci-fi TV Series will live up to and/or surpass the hype. The bar has been set pretty high, but it’s pretty hard not to bet on the underdog. And the good ship Serenity has flown as the underdog for years.

This is Whedon’s feature film directorial debut and one of the most eagerly anticipated fan films since Star Wars Episode III.

During a really early, and rough showing, Whedon explained to the crowd in attendence the importance of getting out the word about a film that was made because of fan support:

… this movie does not have stars. It doesn’t have a giant mega budget. It doesn’t even have a simple saleable premise. What it has is us—the people who believed unreasonably. If this movie matters to you, let somebody know. Let everybody know. Make yourselves heard. If you don’t like the movie…this is a time for quiet, for months of silent contemplation. But when the unfinished credits roll—if you still call yourself a Browncoat—remember the millions of people who don’t…who might. I want us to do this together. The cast will be appearing wherever they can. I will be blogging and stumping and whatever I can think of.

Serenity flies to theaters everywhere next Friday, September 30.

• Review: Serenity soars
• Serenity DVD extras ravaged by Reavers?
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• Robot powered by dead flies
• Review: A Sound of Thunder