starring Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman; directed by Dean Parisot; story by David Howard, screenplay by David Howard and Robert Gordon
For anyone who loves television science fiction shows, but especially those who love the original Star Trek, Galaxy Quest is a complete delightful romp. The script presents an observant yet affectionate portrait of fan phenomena, from the young geeks fans (born after the original show as off the air) to the effect on the actors.
That may sound deep for a comedy that speculates on “what if aliens thought the broadcasts of a corny science fiction show were historical records?” That proposition sets the story rolling. And along the way, we’re given a rather substantial story about the nature of leadership, of heroism. It touches on how we can acquire those qualities we have only been pretending to have. And above all, it shows us the power of inspiration and the need for heroic models.
Cast of “Galaxy Quest”
This is currently one of my favorite “feel good movies”. It cheers me up.
The cast is outstanding. Alan Rickman obviously has fun playing the sour, classically trained actor stuck with a nonsensical tag-line — well, nonsensical until he is given real cause to recite it. Sigourney Weaver, known for playing many smart characters, flounces along as the air-head actress who has a truly empathic heart. But the most exceptional performance, in my book, belongs to Tim Allen, who plays the Shatner parody without making a cartoon of it: instead, his blow-hard actor visably learns that playing a hero and leader doesn’t make you one, at least not until you accept the responsibility of the job.
