I enjoyed the show a lot. I got into it just as the film was being released, and there was some notion that the story could continue beyond the film.
After watching the film a few times...I'd have to say that I'd just watch the show and leave it at that. It ends without resolving several mysteries, but the end of the series/season feels basically "ok." The film shakes a lot of that stuff up and is a good bit darker and less pleasant and fun. It has fun moments, but it's also got some moments in it which I think were....poorly constructed. It's a shame, because there's a lot to like about the film.
But honestly, here's the truth: Firefly is NOT the be-all/end-all that its most rabid fans claim it is. It's a good show. It was entertaining. It was well written. It had a novel premise. But it's not TEH GREATAST SHOW EVAR!!!11!!ONE!!ZOMG!!! And it is also, most certainly, DEAD. This show isn't coming back. Ever. It had it's moment, and that moment passed. I think much of the fandom is oriented around this romantic notion that they can somehow rally together to bring it back some day, but that day has come and gone.
Lastly, it's Joss Whedon. That means that all the good (clever writing, solid stories, interesting characters) comes with all the bad (romance is handled...somewhat poorly; characters are killed for apparently capricious reasons).
If you can handle all of that, then enjoy the ride. It is a fun show. But don't buy into the hype that surrounds the show or the zeal of the hardest of hardcore fans. It's a good show. That's all.
