Bears Watching Again and Again
Added 3/20/2010
The most marvelous thing about a gem like "Galaxy Quest" is how it manages to skewer - but gentle affection - science fiction conventions, a cheesy and long-canceled television science fiction show, the rabid fans of said show, the long-unemployed actors who played the leads in it, and yet at the same time tell a rather ripping-good yarn incorporating some genuinely moving moments. (And Leonard Nimoy, Patrick Stewart and William Shatner have, at the very least, proved that they are jolly good sports about being ribbed so mercilessly.)
A lot of the comedy in Galaxy comes from the casting - and not just that there were top-flight acting talents in the lead roles - it is the actors, playing actors, who are playing characters who are so deliciously off-type from their actor-persona. For instance, Tony Shaloub plays Fred Kwan, (passive and suspiciously substance-addled) who is cast as TSgt. Chen, supremely competent spaceship engineer. Alan Rickman is Alexander Dane, over-wrought Shakespearean, passionate about his "craft" - who apparently has hated every minute of being the lizardoid alien, Doctor Lazarus. Sigourney Weaver as Gwen DeMarco - grounded and rather level-headed - is the sexpot Lt. Madison, the communications officer who apparently went through episode after episode repeating whatever the computer told her. And Tim Allen is Jason Nesmith - self-centered and defiantly not the heroic type - is playing Captain Peter Quincy Taggart, of the NSEA Protector, who never gives up, and never abandons his crew. Along with Daryl Mitchell, as the grown-up kid actor Tommy Weber, once the helmsman Laredo, and Guy (Sam Rockwell), who had a bit part in a single episode, and "died" in true red-shirt Enterprise crewman fashion - all of them are transported into space, onto a ship which in every detail is the NSEA Protector. To their astonishment and horror, they are being asked to be the characters they only played, on behalf of the Thermians. The Thermians are a race of aliens who have unfortunately run afoul of a particularly brutal enemy, Sarris and his evil minions. The NSEA Protector is their last, best hope. Alas, although technologically sophisticated, the poor Thermians know not of story-telling and entertainment. And that's the plot - of the actors being given a chance to be what they only appeared to be, and the leader of the Thermians, Malthezar becoming what he wants to be - an inspiring leader. It's a movie that bears watching again, and again.
Of the extras on this release, the funniest are the omitted scenes - Doctor Lazarus being given a tour of his quarters on board the Protector by the hospitable Thermians is hysterically funny. According to the commentary, some thought was given to showing the Thermian's idea of the other characters' quarters as well - which would have been also terrifically funny, but there are so many other comic scenes, lines and throw-away-bits that omission of that gag is hardly noticed. The other notable feature is a version of the movie entirely in the Thermian language. A little of that bit goes a very long way.
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movie feedback
Added 3/15/2010
Watch this after watching Star Trek and you'll howl--at least my husband did! Till his side hurt!!!
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Smart, affectionate parody of Star Trek
Added 3/11/2010
I have always enjoyed Star Trek in all its incarnations, and that doesn't stop me from enjoying Galaxy Quests witty digs and inside jokes that parody both the show and the people who were in the show. This is a movie that you can watch several times and still catch action at the edge of the screen that's worth a second laugh or a third. Very much enjoy this movie.
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A very funny & well-conceived spoof!
Added 3/9/2010
I recently re-watched GALAXY QUEST after a roughly decade long hiatus. I think it may have gotten even better with time. If you wanted to make a movie spoofing the original STAR TREK series and the cultural phenomenon it has become...you simply couldn't do better than this film. It pokes fun of the genre, the cast, the fans, the cheesiness and the conventions. Often, rather pointed jabs. But it's infused with real affection, and it even tells a pretty exciting and moving story of its own.
"Galaxy Quest" was the name of a `60s TV series that looks an awful lot like STAR TREK, the original series. You've got the handsome, womanizing captain whose shirt is often ripped off to expose a glistening bare torso (Tim Allen), you've got the token woman working on the bridge, whose only job is to repeat the things the computer is saying outloud already (Sigourney Weaver), the alien with the serious demeanor and no sense of humor (Alan Rickman), and even the guy without a name who always beams down to the planet and gets killed in the opening few minutes (Sam Rockwell). And while Engineer Scotty isn't directly spoofed, you've got Tony Shaloub as the blissed-out, mellow actor who once filled that role.
Twenty years later, these actors have little to do but make paid appearances at conventions, in costume. Some absolutely hate it (Rickman), others tolerate it and for Allen, it's the highlight of his life...although at home, he's a hopeless lush. These old cast members can barely stand each other, and lord knows they are pretty sick of never getting to do anything else.
Turns out, though, that the broadcasts of their shows have traveled through space and been intercepted by an alien race on a distant planet. These aliens, however, think the broadcasts are "historical documents" and they create the science needed to perfectly replicate what they see on the show. And now these gentle aliens are in trouble and so travel to earth to enlist the help of their old heroes...the cast of "Galaxy Quest."
I won't say much about the plot, except to note that it plays out much like a Star Trek episode...it's a legitimate adventure story, coupled with a great spoof. Will our weary cast members rise to the challenge? Will they find redemption? Can you guess the answer? And because you can guess...your enjoyment should actually be enhanced, because the film finds delightful ways to surprise you throughout.
The script is very good. The jokes aren't exactly Oscar quality...but neither are they cheap. The film takes the time to develop real characters...and is careful to make the aliens quite unique themselves. These aren't just cookie-cutter aliens designed to fill the needs of the plot. We can actually see how these actors might actually take a liking to these aliens.
And if the script is good, the cast is GREAT. This is a modest film, overall (even though the special effect still look pretty good even today)...but these actors are clearly fully engaged in what they're doing. Weaver is hilarious, really spoofing both Star Trek and Ellen Ripley. Often, I find Weaver to be a bit tight as an actress...very good, but lacking a breezy quality. In GALAXY QUEST, she's relaxed and having great fun. Shaloub is a delight, stealing most of the scenes he's in. Sam Rockwell takes his manic energy and puts it to perfect use...he's convinced that he's destined to be "that guy who dies on that planet." Rickman is droll and understated. At first, his character is seething with resentment at having to wear that awful makeup and say those stupid lines. Watching his gradual growth is a subtle pleasure of the film. And Tim Allen (outside of his great voicework in the TOY STORY films) may actually give his most credible film performance here. He's not a great actor, nor even a particularly adept comic...but this role is almost custom-fitted to him. He only has to be "serious" a little bit, and he can handle it. He is called on to be glib and self-mocking...and is able to muster than quite readily.
GALAXY QUEST was a real treat to revisit, and I heartily recommend it for either a repeat viewing or a first time adventure...particularly if you're familiar with what it is spoofing!
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Great movie, worth every penny
Added 3/3/2010
Just one question, why on the Blu-Ray version cover do they have names wrong under
Alan Rickman and Tim Allen. They should be reversed.
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Bears Watching Again and Again
Added 3/20/2010
The most marvelous thing about a gem like "Galaxy Quest" is how it manages to skewer - but gentle affection - science fiction conventions, a cheesy and long-canceled television science fiction show, the rabid fans of said show, the long-unemployed actors who played the leads in it, and yet at the same time tell a rather ripping-good yarn incorporating some genuinely moving moments. (And Leonard Nimoy, Patrick Stewart and William Shatner have, at the very least, proved that they are jolly good sports about being ribbed so mercilessly.)
A lot of the comedy in Galaxy comes from the casting - and not just that there were top-flight acting talents in the lead roles - it is the actors, playing actors, who are playing characters who are so deliciously off-type from their actor-persona. For instance, Tony Shaloub plays Fred Kwan, (passive and suspiciously substance-addled) who is cast as TSgt. Chen, supremely competent spaceship engineer. Alan Rickman is Alexander Dane, over-wrought Shakespearean, passionate about his "craft" - who apparently has hated every minute of being the lizardoid alien, Doctor Lazarus. Sigourney Weaver as Gwen DeMarco - grounded and rather level-headed - is the sexpot Lt. Madison, the communications officer who apparently went through episode after episode repeating whatever the computer told her. And Tim Allen is Jason Nesmith - self-centered and defiantly not the heroic type - is playing Captain Peter Quincy Taggart, of the NSEA Protector, who never gives up, and never abandons his crew. Along with Daryl Mitchell, as the grown-up kid actor Tommy Weber, once the helmsman Laredo, and Guy (Sam Rockwell), who had a bit part in a single episode, and "died" in true red-shirt Enterprise crewman fashion - all of them are transported into space, onto a ship which in every detail is the NSEA Protector. To their astonishment and horror, they are being asked to be the characters they only played, on behalf of the Thermians. The Thermians are a race of aliens who have unfortunately run afoul of a particularly brutal enemy, Sarris and his evil minions. The NSEA Protector is their last, best hope. Alas, although technologically sophisticated, the poor Thermians know not of story-telling and entertainment. And that's the plot - of the actors being given a chance to be what they only appeared to be, and the leader of the Thermians, Malthezar becoming what he wants to be - an inspiring leader. It's a movie that bears watching again, and again.
Of the extras on this release, the funniest are the omitted scenes - Doctor Lazarus being given a tour of his quarters on board the Protector by the hospitable Thermians is hysterically funny. According to the commentary, some thought was given to showing the Thermian's idea of the other characters' quarters as well - which would have been also terrifically funny, but there are so many other comic scenes, lines and throw-away-bits that omission of that gag is hardly noticed. The other notable feature is a version of the movie entirely in the Thermian language. A little of that bit goes a very long way.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
movie feedback
Added 3/15/2010
Watch this after watching Star Trek and you'll howl--at least my husband did! Till his side hurt!!!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Smart, affectionate parody of Star Trek
Added 3/11/2010
I have always enjoyed Star Trek in all its incarnations, and that doesn't stop me from enjoying Galaxy Quests witty digs and inside jokes that parody both the show and the people who were in the show. This is a movie that you can watch several times and still catch action at the edge of the screen that's worth a second laugh or a third. Very much enjoy this movie.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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