Galaxy Quest
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Movie Reviews of Galaxy Quest
Movie Review: A very pleasant surprise!
Summary: 5 Stars
I vaguely recall hearing about this film, and I don't even remember what it was I heard. All I know is I had no desire to see it because Mars Attacks! kept coming into my head, and I hated that film.
In 2006, on a Chrismtas flight back home, I happened to look up at the monitors from time to time and caught a few bits and pieces of the film while listening to my MP3 music. Without sound, the film seemed stupid, the villain seemed corny and the acting looked horrible. The only thing that kept my attention was wondering if the blonde was actually Sigourney or just a younger look-alike. Hey, the in-flight monitors are small! Bottom line is, I never realized the film was mainly a comedy.
Flash ahead four months when I was moving into a new place and a friend had given me the Galaxy Quest DVD as a house-warming present. I hooked up the home theater system first thing so I could get some activity going in the new place, and I took a break and watched a little of Galaxy Quest - and the rest is history. I instantly loved it and have watched it more times than I care to admit.
For all the reasons and more that many of the previous reviewers enjoyed this film, I do, as well.
It's a solid story with great acting and writing, terrific spoofs, excellent special effects, and is tremendously pure and funny. Move over, Spaceballs, there's a new kid on the block! Without a doubt, the single-best sci-fi comedy ever created! And the drama is good, too. It's a great combination of everything, which is why it's so entertaining and can be watched countless times. Can't believe as an avid sci-fi moviegoer that I somehow neglected to find this gem sooner.
Other sci-fi flicks I enjoy include: Alien, MIB, Evolution, Deep Rising, Zathura, Explorers, Bi-Centennial Man, iRobot, H.G. Wells' The Time Machine, King Kong (2005), Jurassic Park 3, Cube Zero.
Sci-fi flicks I don't like include: Star Wars series, Harry Potter series, LOTR series,
Movie Review: It's hard not to like it!
Summary: 5 Stars
Everybody must have realized it! It is a "Star Trek" parody gone out of control! You know the story from the numerous reviews here at Amazon: 1- Actors from a cancelled show are reduced to doing conventions and ceremonies; 2- Aliens, thinking everything on TV is real, "beams" the actors on a REAL starship to help them save the world; 3- The actors, caught off guard (and without a script or stunt double to back them up) must save the world.Brilliant! Why did nobody think of this before? This movie appeals to those who can relate to the Star Trek experience, as well as to those who believe all the people who dresses up in alien costumes are whacked!
Since there were numerous reviews about the movie (most of them positive), I'll concentrate on the DVD version.
DreamWorks really knows how to do DVDs. Grab a copy of "The Prince of Egypt" for an example. In "Galaxy Quest", the extras that I have noticed and liked:
-the "Making of" short documentary, well made, interesting facts about the movie;
-lost clips (Really, some of them were touched up! The clips were edited before post-production actually began, but the director liked them so much that FULL FX were added to them! You got to admire that! The only weak clip where the effects were obviously not on par was an edited clip of the rock monster battle, but it is still entertaining.);
-The ENTIRE movie dubbed in ALIEN LANGUAGE audio track! Interesting, but it does get annoying. Recommend watching it with English subtitles if that's you stuff;
-Three other movie trailers (Chicken Run, Road Trip, El Dorado).
The presentation is great as well. Most studios don't seem to put much effort in the visual menus, but DreamWorks matched an excellent interface with an excellent movie. This DVD movie is highly recommended. I urge you to buy it, even if you already have the VHS version...
...of course you should have a DVD player first...
Movie Review: "That Was a Hell of a Thing"
Summary: 5 Stars
Sometimes you're taking a chance when the only description in the review on the front of a DVD box is the single word, "Funny." Is it "ha-ha" funny or "my soda tastes funny, try it" funny? Fortunately Galaxy Quest delivers more than great laughs, it has well-done special effects, good writing and characterization, and acting that's well above average. Tim Allen does a good job of distancing himself from the Home Improvement Tool-Man character, while Sigourney Weaver and Alan Rickman portray their characters with a vulnerability they don't usually show in their more commercial work. Tony Shaloub is excellent as always.Plot-wise, Galaxy Quest is little more than "The Three Amigos in Space" (of course, Star Trek was pitched as "Wagon Train in Space," so perhaps the similarity is apropos). It does enough new and differently with the premise, however, to make this a good film in its own right. The inclusion of the Sci-Fi convention fanboys in the climactic scene was hilarious, and at the same time managed to ring true. Cmdr. P.Q. Taggart, having to fight the twin El Guapos of the alien, Sarris, and egomania - well, that's one more El Guapo than The Three Amigos had, isn't it?
There are a few bonuses on the DVD, but an actor and/or director commentary would have been nice, too. The Thermian audio track is of the native Thermian squeaking variety, not the mis-inflected English spoken most frequently in the film. Usually deleted scenes are cut for a reason: they're not very good. Several of the extra scenes on the DVD, however, could have been included in the final release without any problem (one clears up a continuity problem involving Sigourney Weaver's uniform zipper). The "making-of" documentary is nice. The cast/crew bios are good and provide a nice little Easter Egg Hunt, as well.
I really enjoyed this movie. More than just funny, it's clever and witty, too. If the DVD packaging is ever redesigned, that's three words they can put on the cover. Check it out.
Movie Review: Pitch Perfect Trekker (or "ie"!) Sendup!
Summary: 5 Stars
I watch a lot of movies. Most good movies excel at making you feel something. Most good comedies make you laugh. But it's the rare comedy that can make you laugh and also make you feel so good.
I have also been an irredeemable Trekkie (yes, Trekkie, though I did watch the later series, I am truly a child of TOS) from childhood. It is amazing how this film walks that fine line of poking fun, yet at the same time showing enormous respect for both the series and the conventiongoing fans (of which I am an occasional one.)
The beauty of this movie (and as I understand it, it was originally written with all the Star Trek characters in place and later revised due to all kinds of legal and logistical issues) is that the story itself, even without the reference to the original Star Trek series, is a heartwarming story of the real nature of heroes, the value of loyalty and friendship, and the power of myth.
One of the best examples of this is in a scene later in the movie when Sir Alexander Dane (played beautifully by Alan Rickman, better known as "Professer Snape") sets aside his pride and immerses himself in his role for the good of the Thermians as he and Quillig begin the Mok Tarr (sp?) Chant of Strength together trying to open a door to save their friends.
Really, the Thermians' child like belief in the Galaxy Quest crew and the way their faith (and that of a few dedicated earthbound fans) both redeems the actors and is rewarded in the end is as satisfying as the very best fairy tales. It may even leave a lump in your throat!
This movie has great effects, wonderful action, spot-on acting, loads of laugh-out-loud moments. It is simply fun from front to back. They don't usually give academy awards to these kinds of pictures, which is understandable in a way, but I would wager that there are very few award winners that will warm your heart and have you feeling as good as this one will by the end.
Movie Review: "Never give up ... never surrender!"
Summary: 5 Stars
Have you ever wondered what would happen if Bill Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and the cast of "Star Trek" actually wound up on the U.S.S. Enterprise? (There actually was a short story written about just that subject, but that's for another time.) That's the premise of "Galaxy Quest", absolutely the funniest movie I have seen in a long time. The basic plot: washed-up actors from a cancelled science fiction TV show are enlisted by aliens to help them in their fight against a genocidal aggressor. Tim Allen, who now has played two space cadets ("Buzz Lightyear"), gives an excellent turn as Jason Nesmith, the Shatner-esque star of "Galaxy Quest" who chews the scenery at every opportunity. Allen brought a wonderful mixture of camp and honesty to the role of an actor who actually believed himself to be "the star" -- until overhearing a conversation that made him doubt his star status, especially among his friends. Alan Rickman is funny as the actor Alexander Dane, who played the alien Dr. Lazarus, and I can just imagine Leonard Nimoy saying, "If I have to say 'live long and prosper' one more time, I'll puke!" That is the attitude Rickman brings to the role, and he pulls it off convincingly. Probably the most stunning casting decision was Sigourney Weaver as Gwen DeMarco, who played Lt. Tawny (where did they get that name?) Madison. It's hard to play a blonde bimbo, especially when you're an intelligent actress. Weaver gives a very intelligent performance as the intelligent actress whose main assets are her breasts, and her only job is to parrot the ship's computer. "Look, I have one job on this lousy ship, it's stupid, but I'm gonna do it! Okay?" The rest of the cast gives excellent, believable performances, and Sam Rockwell ("Crewman No. 6") almost steals the show. Invite your Trekker friends over to see it...it's worth watching again and again.