Review of Galaxy Quest (1999) by Grayson D — 07 Jan 2011

I don't normally give five-star ratings, but this is a film that had not one aspect I didn't enjoy. In today's world of nausea-inducing, so-called "parodies" (Seltzer and Friedberg, I am looking at you), Galaxy Quest was able to blend affectionate satire, straight-up action and thrills, moments of genuine emotion and an overall sense of fun, fun and fun very ably - ah, I miss 1999.

The humour in this film runs the gamut of one (thankfully) fart joke to sophisticated references that perhaps only the hardest or hardcore science-fiction television fans will understand. This is brilliant as, if you didn't get one joke, the next is not far away - there truly is something for everybody, which is great after so many comedies that attempt to please everyone and yet please no one in the end.

Oftentimes, giving a comedy an enormous budget ultimately hurts it. But here, it is money well spent. From the flawless casting of Tim Allen, Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver and pretty much everyone else to the very realistic animatronic prosthetic makeup/creature effects by Stan Winston Studios, this was one Quest that was on-key all the way.

It's often said that it's hardest for actors to play actors, but everyone is in fine form here - special mention must be given to Alan Rickman, whose portrayal of a beleaguered, typecast stage thespian who has fallen from grace after a stint on the titular TV show is hilarious. And then, when his character finally says a line he loathes, in a genuine manner, you can't help but feel a tad misty-eyed.

Such is the equilibrium of this Galaxy.