Amazon.com video review:
You don't have to be a Star Trek fan to enjoy Galaxy
Quest,
but it certainly helps. A knowingly affectionate tribute to Trek and
any other science fiction TV series of the 1960s and beyond, this
crowd-pleasing comedy offers in-jokes at warp speed, hitting the bull's-eye
for anyone who knows that (1) the starship captain always removes his shirt
to display his manly physique; (2) any crew member not in the regular cast
is dead meat; and (3) the heroes always stop the doomsday clock with one
second to spare. So it is with Commander Taggart (Tim Allen) and the
stalwart crew of the NSEA Protector, whose intergalactic exploits on TV
have now been reduced to a dreary cycle of fan conventions and promotional
appearances. That's when the Thermians arrive, begging to be saved from
Sarris, the reptilian villain who threatens to destroy their home planet.
Can actors rise to the challenge and play their roles for real? The
Thermians are counting on it, having studied the "historical documents" of
the Galaxy Quest TV show, and their hero worship (not to mention
their taste for Monte Cristo sandwiches) is ultimately proven worthy, with
the help of some Galaxy geeks on planet Earth. And while Galaxy
Quest serves up great special effects and impressive Stan Winston
creatures, director Dean Parisot (Home Fries) is never
condescending, lending warm acceptance to this gentle send-up of sci-fi TV
and the phenomenon of fandom. Best of all is the splendid cast, including
Sigourney Weaver as buxom blonde Gwen DeMarco; Alan Rickman as frustrated
thespian Alexander Dane; Tony Shalhoub as dimwit Fred Kwan; Daryl Mitchell
as former child-star Tommy Webber; and Enrico Colantoni as Thermian leader
Mathesar, whose sing-song voice is a comedic coup de grâce.
--Jeff Shannon
