Galaxy Quest (1999)

3.5 out of 4

Starring: Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Rockwell, Enrico Colantoni, Missi Pyle, Robin Sachs

Director: Dean Parisot

Time: 102 mins

Galaxy Quest is one of the funniest send-ups in years, and definitely the funniest film since the sex- and toilet-inspired humour of American Pie. A good-natured spoof of the TV series Star Trek (and its many incarnations, such as Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Voyager), the film also takes numerous digs at the posse of devoted fans, affectionately known as Trekkies, that follow the series and faithfully turn up at conventions and the like. While everything Star Trek is emphasised, right down to the remarkably similar command deck on the space-ship, space films in general are also targeted, including a spot-on jab at the ubiquity of ducts. What results is a hilarious blend of laughs, satire, action and special effects that represents 100 minutes very well-spent.

The film begins at a typical sci-fi convention for fans of the cancelled 80s TV series Galaxy Quest. Its cast, including Jason Nesmith (Allen), who played the Shatner-esque Commander Peter Taggert, Gwen DeMarco (Weaver), who was the busty Lieutenant Tawny Madison, and Alexander Dane (Rickman), as the lone alien crew member, Dr Lazarus (echoes of Spock), spend their days attending these conventions and other demeaning tasks like opening electronics stores. Their lives change when a group of Thermians, real extra-terrestrials, visit Earth and call on their services to fight Sarris (Sachs), the sadistic leader of a rival alien race. It seems these Thermians have been receiving broadcasts of Galaxy Quest, and, believing them to be "historical documents", have modelled their society, philosophies and beliefs after the show. While initially disbelieving at first, Peter, Gwen, Alex and their fellow "crew", Fred Kwan (Shalhoub), Tommy Webber (Mitchell) and cast member-wannabe Guy Fleegman (The Green Mile's Rockwell), go along for the ride. After all, anything has to be better than signing endless autographs, right?

Soon the crew and the Thermians are plunged headlong into an exhilarating adventure involving space battles, magnetic minefields, encounters with gigantic rock creatures, and cuddly little aliens with sharp teeth. Everything is played with tongue firmly planted in-cheek, generating plenty of guffaws. One need not be a Trekkie to appreciate the jokes, but a passing interest in the Star Trek franchise would garner perhaps even more laughs. Director Parisot handles the humour and action with equal aplomb, never once letting the pace flag. There are a couple of philosophical moments, but the laughs never go away long enough for your mind to wander. Indeed, the humour builds and builds to a riotous climax, followed by an even more outrageous finale! This is what a comedy should be, leaving you cackling in your seat even as the end credits roll up.

If it seems like watching the movie is a lot of fun, it looks like the actors were having the time of their lives. Tim Allen, a charismatic performer, is perfect as Nesmith, a failed actor who soaks up all the adulation he can get. His occasional arrogance and unreliability has even his own cast members turned against him, but his effervescence and ingenuity eventually inspire them in the final battle. Weaver looks great as the buxom Gwen, whose clothes seem to deliberately become skimpier as the film goes on. A few Alien jokes were expected, but didn't eventuate and were probably not needed. Rickman is excellent, as usual. With his typically deadpan British drollness, he delivers some very funny lines. Shalhoub, Mitchell and especially Rockwell are also very funny in their roles. The Thermians, played by the likes of Colantoni (from TV's Just Shoot Me) and Pyle, are suitably alien-mannered in a Star Trek sort-of way.

There have been many send-up comedies over the years, ranging from the Naked Gun school of humour (Airplane, Top Secret, Hot Shots) to the more "serious" parodies such as last year's Analyze This. Galaxy Quest belongs to the latter category. While The Naked Gun and similar films can be quite funny, their silly stories leave them oddly unsatisfying. Galaxy Quest is not only a very funny spoof of Star Trek films, it has a gut-busting finish that will leave you howling in the aisles. Highly recommended.

(c) Joe Wong