Affectionate Spoof of a Sci Fi Phenom
Added 11/15/2009
GALAXY QUEST could have been the greatest STAR TREK film ever made. I wonder if the filmmakers had bothered pitching it to the Trek franchise. Can you imagine if Shatner had played the lead? Shatner playing Shatner playing Kirk. If the original Trek cast had been in this movie--and it would not have been tough to taylor it a bit back to its original source--it could've been a hilarious classic in the Trek canon.
But I don't want to take anything away from the cast in the film. Tim Allen really breaks out of his stand-up/sitcom persona and plays a Shatner-esque role. I was really surprised as to how good he was in this movie.
Sigourney Weaver is almost too intimidating as a serious actress. Depsite the blond hair and push-up bra, she's still Sigourney Weaver, Academy Award nominated actress. In GHOSTBUSTERS, she played the straight gal to Bill Murray, an Academy Award nominated comedian. In GALAXY QUEST, she's playing another washed-up sci fi actress...but I still see Sigourney Weaver! Wasn't too distracting and she was very good. (But when you think about it, how great could some of the typecast actors and actresses have been if they hadn't been pigeon-holed by a iconic role?)
Alan Rickman is another incredibly talented actor (although best known as Hans Gruber, the slick German mastermind in DIE HARD). If he hadn't been hidden under his silly alien makeup, his impressive talent might have been distracting as well--but it's not! He's excellent. The rest of the cast is great as well, especially Tony Shalhoub and Sam Rockwell.
One of the reasons I waited to see this film was because I thought it would goof on the Trek fans. With scenes at a sci-fi convention and fans as characters, I was afraid that the film would pile on to make fun of them. Kind of like when Shatner did the "Saturday Night Live" sketch where he tells the Trekkies to "get a life." Funny, but too easy of a target.
Well, GALAXY QUEST doesn't take that easy route. It doesn't poke fun at the fans. In fact, the fans actually come out as heroes in some scenes. It's a film that understands the fan's affection and doesn't insult them.
A funny and fun movie! Check it out.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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"I've got one dumb job to do on this show, and I'm doing it"!
Added 10/4/2009
I thought Galaxy Quest was funny, smart and beautifully acted the first time I saw it, and it holds up after repeated viewings. The writing is first-class, essential for any good film. But the talented cast - Alan Rickman, Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell and surprise standout, Enrico Colantoni as the lead Thermian - wring every laugh and, yes, every poignant moment out of the script and its unlikely situations. All Star Trek fans should love it for its knowing and affectionate spoof of the shows and sci-fi conventions. But lovers of good writing, fine acting and comedy in general should enjoy this movie too.
The extras are a treat, lots of interviews revealing interesting tidbits, like the way Enrico Colantoni developed the Thermian way of speaking and moving which was then taken up by the other actors playing the aliens. It was funny to learn too that Sigourney Weaver had to fight to get her part because the filmmakers didn't want anyone who had actually done sci-fi! As she says, who better to spoof the genre than someone who's been there and done that? (She's the one whose character has "one dumb job" to do in the TV show the Thermians think is a documentary).
This film, and particularly the deluxe edition DVD, are highly recommended for a good time.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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This movie is a classic. You need it in your library!
Added 9/14/2009
Awesome movie. You should have this movie in your "historical documents" library for the all the generations to come.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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Galaxy Quest
Added 9/7/2009
I was very impressed with this retailer. I complained about the DVD not working and found out, that in fact, it was my DVD player that was the problem. I contacted the retailer and told them not to send the replacement DVD since it was not there fault. They were generous enough to allow me to keep the extra copy at no cost. I gave it to my brother-in-law for his birthday.
Very nice services
0 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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Outstanding, uplifting, sci-fi fun
Added 9/3/2009
This movie should be considered a "classic". I greatly enjoyed it and was surprised to learn it was 10 years old. One of the major themes that resonated with me was the idea that people won't know their true capabilities until they are thrown into a situation where they need to rise to the challenge. Another important point that came across in the movie is that everyone needs to work together to succeed, and that there is nothing wrong with asking for help. This is a movie that is fun and makes you feel good. In the age of dark and pessimistic movies, Galaxy Quest is rare gem.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Affectionate Spoof of a Sci Fi Phenom
Added 11/15/2009
GALAXY QUEST could have been the greatest STAR TREK film ever made. I wonder if the filmmakers had bothered pitching it to the Trek franchise. Can you imagine if Shatner had played the lead? Shatner playing Shatner playing Kirk. If the original Trek cast had been in this movie--and it would not have been tough to taylor it a bit back to its original source--it could've been a hilarious classic in the Trek canon.
But I don't want to take anything away from the cast in the film. Tim Allen really breaks out of his stand-up/sitcom persona and plays a Shatner-esque role. I was really surprised as to how good he was in this movie.
Sigourney Weaver is almost too intimidating as a serious actress. Depsite the blond hair and push-up bra, she's still Sigourney Weaver, Academy Award nominated actress. In GHOSTBUSTERS, she played the straight gal to Bill Murray, an Academy Award nominated comedian. In GALAXY QUEST, she's playing another washed-up sci fi actress...but I still see Sigourney Weaver! Wasn't too distracting and she was very good. (But when you think about it, how great could some of the typecast actors and actresses have been if they hadn't been pigeon-holed by a iconic role?)
Alan Rickman is another incredibly talented actor (although best known as Hans Gruber, the slick German mastermind in DIE HARD). If he hadn't been hidden under his silly alien makeup, his impressive talent might have been distracting as well--but it's not! He's excellent. The rest of the cast is great as well, especially Tony Shalhoub and Sam Rockwell.
One of the reasons I waited to see this film was because I thought it would goof on the Trek fans. With scenes at a sci-fi convention and fans as characters, I was afraid that the film would pile on to make fun of them. Kind of like when Shatner did the "Saturday Night Live" sketch where he tells the Trekkies to "get a life." Funny, but too easy of a target.
Well, GALAXY QUEST doesn't take that easy route. It doesn't poke fun at the fans. In fact, the fans actually come out as heroes in some scenes. It's a film that understands the fan's affection and doesn't insult them.
A funny and fun movie! Check it out.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
"I've got one dumb job to do on this show, and I'm doing it"!
Added 10/4/2009
I thought Galaxy Quest was funny, smart and beautifully acted the first time I saw it, and it holds up after repeated viewings. The writing is first-class, essential for any good film. But the talented cast - Alan Rickman, Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell and surprise standout, Enrico Colantoni as the lead Thermian - wring every laugh and, yes, every poignant moment out of the script and its unlikely situations. All Star Trek fans should love it for its knowing and affectionate spoof of the shows and sci-fi conventions. But lovers of good writing, fine acting and comedy in general should enjoy this movie too.
The extras are a treat, lots of interviews revealing interesting tidbits, like the way Enrico Colantoni developed the Thermian way of speaking and moving which was then taken up by the other actors playing the aliens. It was funny to learn too that Sigourney Weaver had to fight to get her part because the filmmakers didn't want anyone who had actually done sci-fi! As she says, who better to spoof the genre than someone who's been there and done that? (She's the one whose character has "one dumb job" to do in the TV show the Thermians think is a documentary).
This film, and particularly the deluxe edition DVD, are highly recommended for a good time.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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This movie is a classic. You need it in your library!
Added 9/14/2009
Awesome movie. You should have this movie in your "historical documents" library for the all the generations to come.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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