Review of Galaxy Quest (1999) by Film C — 05 Mar 2012

Galaxy Quest accomplishes something that I've seldom seen on the big screen. It manages to simultaneously parody classic sci-fi stories while being a quality sci-fi story. I can't remember this combination of parody and genuine story-telling being blended so well. The result almost feels like an homage to classic shows like Star Trek, instead of a spoof. That's probably why I love this movie so much. I'm a fan of those classics, but can easily chuckle at the logical inconsistencies.

The cast of this film is surprisingly good. I'm surprised mostly because I don't usually enjoy Tim Allen or Sigourney Weaver, but somehow the combination of the other actors and the material makes them seem like a perfect fit. Not surprisingly Alan Rickman is brilliant, Tony Shalhoub is amazing, and Sam Rockwell is downright hilarious. The way all the actors throw out these funny little lines that poke fun at the genre is great. The comedic timing and the way all the actors play off each other is perfect.

Then there's the legitimate sci-fi adventure. This story takes you through emotional highs and lows, and it all leads to a superb climactic battle. It almost gets to a point where you forget that all the characters are just actors and not real starship crew members. Then they crash into a convention hall full of rabid fans and reality is restored. I honestly can't complain about anything with this film. It is both funny and exciting, and somehow it never gets old. Perhaps the best sales pitch I could make is that even people who aren't fans of the sci-fi genre can get a lot of enjoyment out of this movie. It is hilarious even when removed from the source material. That is a recipe for not only a great film, but also one of my favorites of all time.