Review of Galaxy Quest (1999) by Lorenzo V — 11 Sep 2011

""By Grabthar's Hammer, By The Sons Of Warvan, You Shall Be Avenged."!".

The alumni cast of a cult space TV show have to play their roles as the real thing when an alien race needs their help.

REVIEW.

Galaxy Quest is a congenial goof on Star Trek, fanatical fans and showbiz--concerns a fictional TV series, "Galaxy Quest," which, though off the air for years, spawned a die-hard, costumed legion of followers known as Questarians. The stars, now mostly out of work, still pick up spare cash by signing autographs at conventions for nominal fees. Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen) played Commander Taggert, and relies almost exclusively on convention adoration to massage his sizeable ego. Blonde Gwen DeMarco (Sigourney Weaver) provided the sex appeal on the show. Her character, Tawny, recited the on-board computer information while struggling to keep her bosoms in her space suit. Alexander Dane (Alan Rickman) played the Spock-like Dr. Lazarus, part Shakespearean actor/part lizard. Fred Kwan (Tony Shalhoub) was the obviously non-Asian Tech Sergeant Chen who kept the ship, the NSEA Protector, airborne. Things get complicated when some honest-to-goodness aliens show up and expect help from the Galaxy Quest crew in battling evil forces. The aliens (who have cute little pixie haircuts, jerky body movements and the ability to spout tentacles), take Earth's old TV shows and movies as historical documents, and the Galaxy Quest actors as authentic astronauts. Tim Allen makes an affable swell-head offered the opportunity to explore his own inner hero potential. According to historical documents, Ms. Weaver has ample experience kicking alien butt. She does so here with a healthy sense of humor, while making Tawny more than the predictable punchline of a blonde joke. Rickman is droll indeed as the consummate actor trapped in a role more Gila than Hamlet. The rest of the cast is right on target too, and the script, while never fall-out-of-your-seat funny, will keep a smile on your face throughout. Galaxy Quest also features creatures courtesy of Oscar-winning Stan Winston and the slickest visual effects conceivable from Industrial Light and Magic.