Review of Galaxy Quest (1999) by Nathaniel B — 06 Jul 2014

Galaxy Quest might be just about the best movie every made! Well no, it's clearly not. For me, it's a top 50 movie, with top 25 levels of enjoyment - but I simply cannot put a spoof ahead of the real thing. That doesn't change the fact that multiple times during the movie, I thought the first sentence of this review. It's not the best movie ever made, but I certainly wouldn't disagree with someone who calls it is the best parody ever made. But the whole parody thing can wear thin, if overused.

Which is what puts Galaxy Quest head and shoulders above the competition. It's not only a sarcastic parody, it's also a loving homage. The movie obviously respects and enjoys what it's parodying, Star Trek. But it also appreciates all the goofy little things that the show was prone to. In short, it's a totally legitimate movie - while simultaneously being totally absurd... I doubt that makes much sense, but it's hard to articulate about this movie. It's simply amazing and hilarious and one of those rare movies that I absolutely loved as soon as the credits started to roll.

As a huge Star Trek fan since forever, I can't believe it's taken me this long to see Galaxy Quest. And being a Star Trek fan (or at least knowing the eccentricities of the material) is practically a requirement before watching this movie. And I'm not saying that you HAVE to be a Star Trek expert to enjoy this film, you will get a lot more out of it if you've already take a few journeys on The Enterprise.

The story is hilarious and extremely clever! A massively popular sci-fi show called Galaxy Quest is 18 years removed from being cancelled. Now, the old cast members are stuck doing conventions, signing autographs, and trying to relive their glory days. But when the lead actor of the show, and subsequently the rest of the cast, is transported up to a real alien ship, they must save the Thermian race from destruction.

The comedy in Galaxy Quest is ... perfection! This was the kind of movie I thought Ghostbusters was going to be: a legitimately hysterical classic! There are so many phenomenal Star Trek references. Guy's inevitable death, the "beam me up" style transportation, the totally convenient MacGuffin, and a host of other jokes ring true and hit hard! I haven't laughed this much in a movie for a while! It's hard to describe if you haven't seen it, but I'll just say that I can recommend the movie on the humor alone.

The delivery of the humor is what really pulls it all together, thanks to the flawless cast. But you can tell that Galaxy Quest is very much a movie "of its time" based on the cast. Tim Allen would never lead a blockbuster nowadays. This was back in the day when Sigourney Weaver played something other than motherly characters. This was back when Alan Rickman actually acted in more than one movie every two years. In short, this is a movie made in 1999.

But about that cast, Tim Allen is awesome as the actor Jason Nesmith! Even though this is a comedy, he has some legitimately dramatic moments. But Allen is even better as Commander Taggart, captain of the NSEA Protector. He has the Shatner impression down pat! The whole bit with him summersaulting during the action was fantastic!

I've never seen Sigourney Weaver like she is in this movie. She is really funny! Something I didn't see in her performance in Ghostbusters. The character's function on the ship is also hilarious! Alan Rickman plays Alexander Dane, a classically trained actor who had to play an alien on Galaxy Quest. Rickman can do very little wrong, and there's certainly none to be found in this movie. Sam Rockwell should probably be cast in every movie, because he is always so exceptional! His character, Guy (or Crewman #6) is the Galaxy Quest version of a Star Trek Red Shirt. Because of this, there is a bunch of clever humor about the demise of the character. (see: "Let's get out of here before one of those things kills Guy.).

The lesser supporting cast offers some surprising faces. Look for a young Rainn Wilson and an even younger Justin Long. But the best minor supporting performance is from Enrico Colantoni as Mathesar. It's just so bizarre, but the role is delivered with conviction.

David Newman, a composer who can never seem to get a mainstream Hollywood career off the ground, provides the score to Galaxy Quest. Though being the son of legendary composer Alfred Newman does suggest some talent and ability. And this movie proves to be one of Newman's best! He nails the TV theme song. He adds elements of sci-fi and fantasy. And he does so without slipping completely into parody mode. It's an admirable effort!

Much like the music, the movie itself never slips into being a simple parody of sci-fi and Star Trek. It remains a loving homage throughout, while remaining completely legitimate. It's a clever story that incorporates everything a movie of this sort should... I probably did a poor job of expressing why this movie is so fantastic, but believe me when I tell you, I love Galaxy Quest!

"As long as there is injustice, whenever a Targathian baby cries out, wherever a distress signal sounds among the stars, we'll be there. This fine ship, this fine crew. Never give up, never surrender." 10/10.