Jun 02 2011
Weekly Movie Rec: Galaxy Quest
A Star Trek spoof starring Tim Allen sounds about like one of the more terrible ideas for a movie you could think of, but trust me when I say, Galaxy Quest is an underrated comedy gem, and a great film for not just sci-fi fans, but anyone.
Allen is actually hilarious here, as a Shatner-type Captain long past his glory days. He and his crew, made up of an excellent supporting cast that includes sci-fi legend Sigourney Weaver, a perfectly deadpan Alan Rickman, pre-Monk Tony Shaloub and even a goateed Sam Rockwell, travel the country signing autographs at Comic-cons and opening supermarkets.
But a race of aliens who have been watching episodes of their show that have been beamed into space for years believe they’re the real deal, and they abduct the crew to try and get them to save them from annihilation by a rival alien race. It takes a while for them to catch on the whole thing is for real, and it all builds to one of the most satisfying endings I’ve ever seen.
It’s a hilarious film from start to finish, even if this premise sounds a bit wonky. I’m sure many of you have already experienced it, but if you haven’t, and you like the kind of sci-fi crap we normally talk about on the site here, you’ll definitely love Galaxy Quest, Tim Allen and all.
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/agreed
i’m not a star trek fan at all and was still able to catch most of the jokes in this hilarious movie! great cast too!
What a solid movie. Also, it had the dad from Veronica Mars in it and Justin Long.
Yeah, that movie was much better than expected going in.. Sure, it’s 3 Amigos in Space, but that’s pretty much everything good about that high concept pitch.
And Rainn Wilson is TOTALLY one of the aliens!!!
I remember watching this years ago and genuinely enjoying it, and being surprised that I did. I should probably pick it up again, thanks for the recommendation!
Absolutely. I got this years ago for my family on rental night and it became an instant favorite. Each character is funny in their own way.
I don’t know what the definition of “spoof” is, but this movie stands alone as a movie without resorting to lame parody gimmicks like breaking the fourth wall or getting ridiculously unbelievable in its premise. The humor will be more appreciated if the viewer is acquainted with Star Trek, but it’s hilarious enough on its own and like “Shaun of the Dead” it should never be put in the same category as The Scary Movie franchise or Mel Brooks movies.
“It’s inside out?!”
“Then it exploded!”
By Grabthar’s hammer, by the suns of Warvan, you shall be avenged!!!!!!!!!
“Never give up, never surrender!”
Best use of the Alternate Language track on a DVD, also.
By Grabthars hammer…what a savings.
Not to mention that Sigourney Weaver looks totally hot in this movie