Space to Earth? Or is it vice versa? Whichever, this reviewer has found himself spending an increasing amount of time off terra firma, first by docking with the recent movie "Serenity," then with "Battlestar Galactica," the 2004 syndicated TV series whose first 10 second-season episodes are now boxed as "Season 2.0" (Universal).

"Galactica," more inspired by than based on the 1970s "Star Wars" cash-in network series of the same name, is easily the best sci-fi space-opera adventure since the short-lived "Firefly," created by Joss Whedon, the brain behind "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." The success of the "Firefly" collected episodes on DVD prompted Paramount to re-launch the concept in a feature film, "Serenity." It failed to make much of a dent in the box-office ionosphere. But who knows, maybe the film's release on DVD (Paramount) will get the crew back in action.

"Serenity" finds the freelance rogues in the employ of Capt. Reynolds on the run from a representative of the powerful Alliance, who believe they are harboring a spooky stowaway whose psychic gifts could be used as a weapon. All of the primary cast of the TV series returns for the film, which reflects the show's freewheeling spirit — fast and furious, cleverly written and driven by its characters, not the special effects.

Extras include a couple of deleted scenes and commentary by Whedon, who fills us in on the life, death and (brief) resurrection of "Firefly," which is also examined in a short documentary. But anyone who gets into the movie will almost certainly want to see the 14 original episodes (three of which never aired), available in a boxed set.

Who knows what fate awaits the retooled "Battlestar Galactica," a similarly styled, if far more visually elaborate and action-oriented, series from the Sci-Fi Channel.

The premise was established in a miniseries (which was thoughtfully included on the "Season One" DVD box released earlier this year). The Battlestar, captained by the astute Cmdr. Adama (Edward James Olmos), is leading a fleet containing survivors of 12 space colonies defeated by a race of robots called Cylons in a desperate search for the 13th lost colony — our very own Earth.

Along with a crew that includes Adama's fighter pilot son Lee (Jamie Bamber) and the forever-insubordinate, passionate and impossible-to-pin-down Starbuck (Katee Sackhoff), the ship also carries the erstwhile president of the colonies, Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell), whose political savvy might impress Karl Rove but often leaves her at odds with Adama.

Though overall viewership remains small, once you're hooked, you're as committed as any "Lost" or "Desperate Housewives" fan.

IF YOU MISSED IT EARLIER

The week's batch of recent theatrical releases is composed primarily of misfires.

"Four Brothers" (Paramount) has a promising concept: Four far-flung, streetwise, foster brothers from Detroit reunite at the funeral of their beloved mother and quickly surmise she wasn't just an innocent victim of a neighborhood grocery hold-up. A search for truth and justice ensues.

The very different but very bonded siblings are played by Mark Wahlberg, Garrett Hedlund, Tyrese Gibson and OutKast's Andre Benjamin. Probable Oscar nominee Terence Howard (for "Hustle & Flow") is a detective who knows all the brothers from back in the day.

None of it seems authentic, from the Canadian locations that pawn themselves off as Detroit, to the racially charged relationships of the brothers, or the motives behind the murder and the vengeance that follows.

More egregious lapses of credibility befall the sodden "Must Love Dogs" (Warner), which has utterly adorable Diane Lane unable to find a soul mate who, among other requirements, lives up to the film's title, though John Cusack has the best shot.

"Cry Wolf" (Universal) is a suspense thriller about boarding school students who start an Internet rumor that a serial killer they dub the Wolf is responsible for the murder of a young woman, and that any of their classmates could be next. It's the sole result of the short-lived and much-hyped Chrysler Film Festival, which promised its winner a studio release. Now you see it, now you didn't.

By contrast, "The Brothers Grimm" (Miramax) is more entertaining than its box-office showing might suggest. The clever comic fable from director Terry Gilliam stars Matt Damon and Heath Ledger as con men who spin fantastic tales of witchcraft, spells and wizardry to separate ignorant 18th-century villagers from their money.

Even more underrated was "The Great Raid" (Miramax), a drama based on the daring and desperate 1945 mission to rescue mistreated British and American prisoners of war in the Japanese-occupied Philippines. "The Great Raid" was, like "The Brothers Grimm," abandoned in the marketplace by Disney while it negotiated the exit of executives Harvey and Bob Weinstein from its Miramax division.

Both films deserved better, as their DVD releases will testify.