Review of Galaxy Quest (1999) by Kirby W — 13 Jul 2010

Galaxy Quest (1999) -- [8.0] -- I enjoyed this formulaic sci-fi parody more than I ever thought I could. The story basically pulls back the curtain to give us a glimpse of what it must be like for the cast of the original "Star Trek" series to live out their lives under the shadow of their alter egos.

Tim Allen's character is a doppelganger for William Shatner (smug, pompous, loveable) and Alan Rickman, as a Shakespearean actor trapped behind prosthetic head gear, is certainly informed by the much publicized lament of Leonard Nimoy (author of "I Am Not Spock.

") While cutting the ribbon at an electronic store's gala opening, Allen, Rickman, and the rest of their castmember/shipmates get recruited by real aliens to help defeat some lizard-like invaders in a galaxy far, far away.

In lesser hands, this flick could have been absolute dreck. But it isn't! It's very funny, very sweet, and highly entertaining. Fun supporting performances from Sigourney Weaver as a useless communications officer (Uhura?), Tony Shalhoub as a stoned Scotty, and Sam Rockwell as the nervous actor who plays the 'red shirt' (in "Star Trek" lore, that's the guy we all know is going to die before the first commercial break).

You also get a solid score from the ever-underappreciated David Newman and super-nifty makeup effects from the late Stan Winston. Favorite joke: the teleporter crew's reaction to a really bad beam-up involving an exploding pig-beast.