Pitfalls, traps, villains, world-exploding disasters, corny lines, predictable fallouts, it has all the usual clichés of a tv show based in space, ahem* Star Trek……more Star Trek and then others. And it’s bloody wonderful, not just for Trekkie geeks like me, though there are certainly more inside jokes to be had if you are, but this is a happy all-round family film, with plenty of sci-fi moments; aliens, space chases, new planets, not to mention the CGI hasn’t aged too badly. Action scenes of combat, laser shoot outs, and touches of romance all while having that large and looming threat to the existence of life. What better way is there to say thanks to all the fans of these sci-fi shows than Galaxy Quest – but only if you stay till the end, prior to this you may feel a little targeted.
Parodying sci-fi shows through a fictional portrayal of a once successful TV show named ‘Galaxy Quest’ – this space crew having gone from being hugely successful at the time of airing, to now finding their fan base slowly decreasing to just the most loyal of fans, and with it they are reduced to doing just openings and autograph signings. But then actor Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen) who once played ‘Commander Peter Quincy Taggart’ is contacted for his biggest role ever; to be an actual Commander of a spaceship. At first he believes this to be another TV/film role of the show, and the aliens that have approached him are just really committed method actors. However, he soon discovers that they’re not and that these aliens, known as the Thermians are very real, unlike his show, and that they have received earth’s TV transmissions for many years believing all of it to be a reality including ‘Galaxy Quest’. Knowing nothing of lies, make-believe or acting they truly believe this space crew of misfits to be their ‘last hope’ in defeating the evil warlord ‘General Sarris’ who threatens their planet.
Seeing this as the biggest role of his life, Jason the now failing actor, tricks his tv space crew into boarding a life-size ship based on the workings of the show, and to assume the roles they’ve been playing for decades. This includes ‘Lt. Tawny Madison’ acted by Gwen DeMarco (Sigourney Weaver) the show’s love interest and communications expert (though she repeats only what the computer says). ‘Dr. Lazarus’ (a clear mock Spock) played by thespian actor Alexander Dane (Alan Rickman). ‘Tech Sergeant Chen’ (Scotty replacement) acted by Fred Kwan (Tony Shalhoub) and in remembering the show’s fake engine specs is actually a pretty able engineer. Then there’s ‘Pilot Laredo’ played Tommy Webber (Daryl Mitchell) as the boy pilot that grew into a man (aka Wesley Crusher for us Trekkies), and lastly the unnamed extra crewman; Guy (Sam Rockwell) who represents the countless disposable crew members in any space show – though he’ll be damned if he’s the first to go.
The crew are full of discord, except in their united dislike of Jason, but in being tricked into playing roles they’ve become so disenchanted with, they come to realise they’ll have to work as a real crew to survive. However, in replaying their iconic characters, without script or direction, they’re able to live out their best acting, and right under the limelight of intergalactic space. Watch them steal the screen to hilarious effect. Light-warped to new worlds, their personalities really come to shine as they imbue their characters’ confidence and with it take on a bit of their own.
Joining Jason, they aim to survive their mission and help the Thermians in their troubles, while Jason (still selfish in his ways) hopes to spend his years cruising round the galaxy. The ‘Commander’ being the role of a lifetime and one he doesn’t want to give up again. It’s of course anything but smooth sailing through these stars, but they’re committed actors and the way they bounce back from catastrophe is hilarious and side-splitting. When parodies are done well (which they rarely are) they can be spectacular, Galaxy Guest being a leading example.
Sigourney Weaver as Gwen/Lt. Tawny Madison is superb, her own gobsmacked, open-drawn mouth at the situations she finds herself in, perfectly encapsulating our own sheer disbelief. While Justin Long as sci-fi fan Brandon, epitomizes the true-believer of these shows and people’s lasting-love for them (it’s also utterly endearing and, errmm, slightly relatable). Then there’s Alan Rickman as Alexander/Dr Lazarus playing an actor who falls in love with his character, and in doing so causes us to love him just as much, if not more.
Galaxy Quest is a must-see for anyone who’s addicted to their sci-fi. It might poke fun at some of its most beloved themes and repeating formulas, but it does so while also playing homage and returning a little bit of that first magic you felt when watching them as a child.
Director: Dean Parisot
Other notable works:
- Good Girls 2018-2021
- Santa Clarita Diet 2017-2019
- Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency 2016-2017
- Justified 2010-2015
Writer: David Howard
Writer: Robert Gordon
