Galaxy Quest - Planlos durchs Weltall

I didn't even know about this movie until a friend talked me and my family into seeing it. The title sounded like a low budget B-movie. It turned out that some of the funniest people in the business were in this. The premise is great. A group of actors are part of a "Star Trek" type show. They have gone their separate ways. They are tired of each other, and often not very friendly. Some have managed to earn a few bucks doing public appearances with nerdy people adoring them. This is certainly true of the real "Star Trek" cast. What happens is that some aliens who don't understand television believe that when watching "Galaxy Quest," they are seeing the real activities of real space explorers. The come and expect that these people will be able to do their will. Of course, there are the usual, "You are an idiot" moments, trying to explain what actors do. The charm comes from the great cast which finds themselves in over their heads, eventually having to submit to the will of these guys. Very funny movie.

I must admit I was initially really wary of this movie. From what I saw on the Pay Per View Trailers, I envisioned basically what it's been made out to be, and that was some sort of childrens' screwy Disney-esque space adventure

Harsh enough? Don't worry, I turned out to be 100% wrong-o! In fact, as a loyal Trekkie, I had such a blast watching this movie. The inside jokes and references to unnecessary plot complications that have been duplicated down to the last detail on the real-life NSEA Protector scream Star Trek, but it's been so lovingly parodied that no Trek fan could possibly be offended. A total classic, much much funnier than it's given credit for being. I especially enjoyed the pre-teen fans who had the entire ship schematics on their PC at the age when most people are still playing with Power Rangers figures and Barbies, which is an all-too real phenomenon in the Trek fan community.

The acting is top-notch, (Tim Allen plays the scene-stealing hack down to the last detail, Sigourney Weaver is hilarious as the token female on the ship, Alan Rickman adds wonderful conflict as a furious Shakespearian actor who is convinced his role on the show ruined his career) the special effects are just fabulous, and the few poignant moments are done so well that it's damn near tear-jerking. Do yourself a favor and buy this movie. Don't even rent it first, just buy it!

GALAXY QUEST (1999) ***1/2

Starring: Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Tony Shalhoub, Alan Rickman, Daryl Mitchell and Sam Rockwell Directed by Dean Parisot, written by David Howard. Running Time: 104 minutes. Rated PG (for action violence and some gore, mild language, and brief sex-related material)

By Blake French:

As I walked out of the theater in which I screened "Galaxy Quest," I thought how surprised I was to have enjoyed what seemed as a cheesy family spoof. But the film turned to be an action adventure with some really hilarious moments. I loved the film. It has qualities of a successful science fiction drama, but also contains a variety of comical characters that had the whole audience overwhelmed in laughter. "Galaxy Quest" is right up there with "Toy Story" in merit, it entertains adults and children alike, standing out as one of the year's best family films.

The story details the adventures of a canceled television science fiction fantasy cast, similar in content to "Star Trek." "Galaxy Quest" is the name of the program. In their years, the stars, including Jason Nesmith, Gwen DeMarco, Fred Kwan, Alexander Dane, and Tommy Webber, were some of the biggest, most popular names in TV. Now, their means of making a living is signing fans' autographs for a price and being cast in amateur presentations.

There is very detailed character development here. The characters are wonderfully cast and brilliantly portrayed. Unfortunately, most family films don't contain the patience for such necessary material. We bond with these characters; they are likable, funny, energetic and independent. These individuals are the key of success to this kind of movie.

The real plot begins when strange people come to Jason beging for him to save their existence from a powerful evil force who wishes to wipe them out of the universe forever. Naturally, at first our television star is skeptical, but when the strange people turn out to be humble aliens and transport Jason to their spaceship, he realizes this is something serious. The aliens begin to explain that they think he and his "Galaxy Quest" team are the only people in the universe who can save their race. He rushes to the members of his old cast and tries to justify his experience. He says that there are extraterrestrial creatures who require the help of their "Galaxy Quest" characters. None of his friends believe him, but once again give in when they find themselves transported off earth, onto the creature's spaceship. Of course, the aliens don't realize that their hopeful heroes are simply out of work actors, but who needs to tell them? So it is up to Commander Peter Quincy Taggart, Lt. Tawny Madison, Tech Sergeant Chen, Dr. Lazarus of Tev'Meck, and Lt. Laredo to save the day for our innocent and haunted alien life forms.

"Galaxy Quest" is a slapstick comedy that is smart, and does not go over the edge with its humorous material. It leaves room for several other essential elements such as happiness, romance, honesty, excitement, and contains a dramatic purpose. The story is very original, and contains a firm theme of action in its premise. It also has lots of outstanding visual effects and sight gags that are effective and interesting to watch.

Although the film gets a little off-track near the end, "Galaxy Quest" is still high energy laughs audiences will come to the theater expecting. This is one of the most victorious movies of this year in its execution of the script because we anticipate what we are going to view is a silly comic spoof. Even though parts of the film fit that definition, in the end we end up with a lot more than that.

Brought to you by DreamWorks Pictures.

There are some movies that are better watched while you are not eating. 'Galaxy Quest' fits into this category as I made the mistake of watching it while having dinner and I almost choked several times. This is one of the funniest smart comedies I have seen. The film is brilliantly executed and it brilliantly spoofs the science-fiction-spaceship genre. But the film isn't mere silliness as it does have a soul and tells an action adventure story of 5 has-been stars of a famous Star-Trek-type TV show that got cancelled two decades ago. The screenplay is great and the dialogues are witty fun. There is no crude humour or over-the-top-out-of-context joke.

The special effects wonderfully add to the spoofiness. The monsters and aliens are a 'treat' to watch. An intelligent comedy isn't easy to make as the maker has to pay close attention to line delivery, characterization, situation, comic timing and direction. 'Galaxy Quests' fulfills all criteria from start to end. Tim Allen as the pompous hero, Alan Rickman as the whiny has-been 'Shakespearean'-actor-forced-to-play-an-android, Tony Shalhoub as the funny Fred, Sam Rockwell as the terrified-of-being-the-first-one-to-die Guy, Enrico Colantoni as the gullible Mathezar and last but not least, the incredibly sexy Sigourney Weaver as the tired-of-playing-dumb-blonde Gwen (the total opposite of her famous Ripley character) play their parts.

I'm glad that I bought this film on impulse yesterday as most American spoofs I have seen, like the abysmal Scary Movies (puke) or the silly Screams (yawn) and the ridiculous Naked Guns (okay this last one was kind of funny) hardly have anything more to offer than silliness. Actually I was given the choice between this and 'Naked Gun 33 and a Half' and i'm glad I made the right decision. 'Galaxy Quest' definitely surpasses these films by several miles as I wouldn't even mind calling it one of the best comedies.

I'm here to say that this film is Tim Allen's best work, big screen or small. Galaxy Quest is a wonderful satire of the Star Trek phenomenon. We have to remember that these people are very good actors and have succeeded in making many believe they are real. If they didn't we wouldn't have Trekkie conventions.

Tim Allen was the star of a Star Trek like show that has inspired cult like devotion and he and the cast make appearances. It's a living and it does keep their names before the public. Of course some have problems getting cast because casting directors won't see them in anything else.

Allen takes it as it comes, the other regulars who include Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Darryl Mitchell, Tony Shalhoub, and Sam Rockwell have varying reactions to the cult status they have achieved.

But in a system far far away some aliens who have monitored the old series from earth and it's 17 years since it ended. It's taken that long to reach these aliens. They are in some deep trouble as an aggressive other group of aliens is trying to take them over and/or exterminate them.

They send for the Galaxy Quest crew figuring this bunch of warriors are who can help. They even have a ship modeled to the spaceship from the show.

The concept of entertainment and make believe is unknown to these people. And the regulars have to recall their episodes to make it through.

I saw this in theater when it came out and loved it. It's fresh today as it was then because these Trekkie type conventions are still with us.

Great job by Tim Allen and the cast.