Galaxy Quest

 Roger Crow's review


United States, 1999
UK Release Date: 28/04/00 (wide)
Running Length: 1:42
BBFC Classification: 15 (Mild violence)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1

Cast: Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Daryl Mitchell, Enrico Colantoni, Sam Rockwell, Missi Pyle
Director: Dean Parisot
Producers: Suzann Ellis, Mark Johnson, Charles Newirth
Screenplay: Robert Gordon, David Howard
Cinematography: Jerzy Zielinski
Music: David Newman
UK Distributor: Dreamworks SKG

The idea of a spoof version of Star Trek seems great on paper but Mel Brooks' leaden attempt to take the mickey out of Star Wars (Spaceballs) may have warned off many producers in the past.

The, er, gravity that such a premise needed was so obvious it's a wonder no-one had thought of it earlier.

Galaxy Quest is the cult show in question which has achieved a huge following since its cancellation in 1982.

The stars of the series make a meagre living by bit parts and starring in GQ conventions - that's Galaxy Quest as opposed to the style magazine.

Tim Allen is the swaggering Jason Nesmith (a thinly veiled version of William Shatner), who played Commander Peter Quincy Taggart. Something of a legend in his own mind, the fans love him but his co-stars are not as keen.

Sigourney Weaver is on fine form as the busty blonde female lead Gwen DeMarco (she repeats everything the computer says); Tony Shalhoub plays Fred Kwan and Daryl Mitchell is Tommy Webber. A cast of washed up has-beens worshipped by fans who believe the show is as real as the ground beneath their feet.

Alan Rickman is on excellent form as snooty Brit Alexander Dane - better known to fans of the show as the Spock/Babylon 5 hybrid Dr Lazarus.

Things take a sharp left hand turn when a hung over Nesmith is approached by a group of aliens who he thinks are fans.

Mathesar (Enrico Colantoni) and his people are being decimated by an alien warlord and having witnessed the old Galaxy Quest TV shows (believing them to be historical documents), his race has modelled their own technology and tactics on that of the cult series.

It's not long before Quincy and the other actors are engaged in full combat with the alien bad guys, tackling razor-teethed, child like aliens and a huge rock monster.

A delicious premise which is beautifully executed thanks to some mind blowing special effects and some glorious alien make-up from Stan Winston and his crew.

Easily one of the best sci-fi comedies since Men in Black and ideal for those who felt that Barry Sonnenfeld movie was too short and under-realised.

Don't be too surprised if the joke becomes a little too well realised for its own good as Galaxy Quest (the movie) attracts its own cult following.


© 2000 Roger Crow

Home