Review of Galaxy Quest (1999) by Rameshwar N — 20 Aug 2011

I was laughing out loud from start to end watching this. It is as good if not better than Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy. I am not sure how to be a critic for this movie, I'll do a simpler thing by writing a synopsis for it. All is executed well, if you like the concept there is no way you wouldn't enjoy it.

It is the story of 4 lead characters who play the crew of NSEA Protector and one extra 'Crew No. 6' of an age old Trekkie kind of show 'Galaxy Quest'. An alien race watches this show and assumes them to be historical documentation and gets impressed. They build their entire ship, it's systems and their ship culture based on what they saw on the show and even names it Protector 2. This alien race encounters a trouble which they feel they can't solve, so they come to earth in search of Protector's commander to help them. It's better I introduce a bit about the crew.

Tim Allen as the Commander who steals the show and it is always about himself.

Sigourney Weaver as the pretty blond and her role is to repeat what the Ship Computer says.

Alan Rickman is somewhat like Spock or similar character, but always have the resentment that Tim Allen steals the lines and focus from him. The tone of this character feels similar to Marvin the Robot from Hitchhikers.. which is also voiced by Rickman.

Tony Shalhoub as the Chief Tech of the ship who has not forgot the lines or scenes of the show.

Sam Rockwell is an extra in one episode who gets to say 'Hey look some thing's up there' and get eaten by a monster. Now he is the presenter of the show but always regrets not being an active member.

With these hilarious characters introduced, when the aliens approach Tim Allen, he assumes them to be organizers of some gig and says yes. Then starts the real deal where these lead actors has to do the real thing and Sam Rockwell just tags along. At the end when they have to surf through the ship to locate something, they get help from a bunch of geeks from Earth who are hardcore fans of the show who has all information as ships schematics, sequences, overrides etc.

It is a silly satire but also has a solid and funny script of it's own. The performances are guaranteed by looking at it's terrific cast and the production values are excellent for a comedy as they go all out in terms of ships and aliens look as well as the visual effects. I strongly recommend watching this movie if you have not already in case you are a sci-fi or a comedy fan.