Galaxy Quest (1999)

The alumni cast of a space opera television series have to play their roles as the real thing when an alien race needs their help. However, they also have to defend both Earth and the alien race from a reptilian warlord.

Director:

Dean Parisot

Writers:

David Howard (story), David Howard (screenplay)

Stars:

Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman

7 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tim Allen	...	Jason Nesmith
Sigourney Weaver	...	Gwen DeMarco
Alan Rickman	...	Alexander Dane
Tony Shalhoub	...	Fred Kwan
Sam Rockwell	...	Guy Fleegman
Daryl Mitchell	...	Tommy Webber
Enrico Colantoni	...	Mathesar
Robin Sachs	...	Sarris
Patrick Breen	...	Quellek
Missi Pyle	...	Laliari
Jed Rees	...	Teb
Justin Long	...	Brandon
Jeremy Howard	...	Kyle
Kaitlin Cullum	...	Katelyn
Jonathan Feyer	...	Hollister

Storyline

The sci-fi television series "Galaxy Quest", which took place aboard the intergalactic spaceship NSEA Protector, starred Jason Nesmith as suave Commander Peter Quincy Taggart, Gwen DeMarco as sexy communications person Lt. Tawny Madison (a role which consisted solely of repeating what the computer stated, much to Gwen's chagrin), Shakespearean trained Sir Alexander Dane as alien Dr. Lazarus, Fred Kwan as engineer Tech Sergeant Chen, and Tommy Webber as child pilot Laredo. Eighteen years after the series last aired, it lives on in the hearts of its rabid fans. However, it lives on in infamy for its stars, who have not been able to find meaningful acting work since. Their current lives revolve around cashing in on however those roles will afford, which usually entails attending fan conventions or worse, such as electronic store openings. Only Jason seems to relish his lot in life, until he finds out that his co-stars detest him because of his superior attitude as "the Commander", and ...

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Plot Keywords:

sexy woman | shapeshifting | cult film | male alien | time bomb | 

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Taglines:

These actors... are now outer space heroes.

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some action violence, mild language and sensuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Captain Starshine

Filming Locations:

Petersen Automotive Museum - 6060 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$45,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,012,630, 26 December 1999, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$71,583,916

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$90,683,916

Company Credits

Production Co:

DreamWorks, Gran Via Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the beginning of the film, Tommy's line "You are so full of sh**, man!" was redubbed to "You are so full of it, man!" When faced with going through "the chompers", Gwen's "Well, f*** that!" was redubbed to say "Well, screw that!". These edits were to avoid a PG-13 rating. The original lines are still obvious when reading their lips.

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Goofs

At the convention, when Guy Fleegman is about to introduce Jason Nesmith, the backing band's only guitar player can be heard playing a simple 8th note pattern. Yet this very musician can be seen in the frame to the far right side, doing nothing.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Laredo: Exiting the time knot now, Sir.
Tech Sgt. Chen: We're alive.
Laredo: We made it, Commander. We made it.
Dr. Lazarus: By Grabthar's hammer, we live to tell the tale.
Voice of Computer: Systems registering functional.
Lt. Tawny Madison: All systems are working, Commander.
Commander Peter Quincy Taggart: I don't like it. It was too easy.
Laredo: Wait. Oh, no! They're everywhere. There are time knots opening everywhere.
Lt. Tawny Madison: A trap!
[...]

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Crazy Credits

At the end of the closing credits, Enrico Colantoni, as Mathesar, says "Never give up... Never surrender!".

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Alternate Versions

The theatrical version was screened at three different aspect ratios: the early scenes, featuring clips of the TV series, were shown at 1.33:1; the initial part of the story, set on Earth, was framed at 1.85:1; the scenes set in outer space were screened at 2.35:1. The DVD release keeps only the initial 1.33:1 full frame scenes, then shows the rest of the film at the wider aspect ratio of 2.35:1. This was done on purpose because director Dean Parisot felt it played better on home video screens.

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Connections

References Duck Dodgers in the 24½th Century (1953)

User Reviews

The best science fiction comedy ever made? CERTAINLY!

This is what I would call a PERFECT film. As a long-time Star Trek fan I have waited for a movie which had that total feelgood factor, not a spoof, but a humourous and heartfelt homage. A film which shows fans in a good light, in a way that, of course, we can laugh at ourselves, but in an unoffensive and entertaining manner. I never thought it would arrive, and so in GALAXY QUEST, I found one of the best films in cinema history. Everything is spot on. The story is fantastic, and telling it from the point of view of normal people was great. Making them play those stereotypes that we know and love was just the tip of the iceberg, and everyone played the parts superbly. The special effects speak for themselves. When the Protector leaves space dock...Wow. When she goes through the minefield...Wow! When Tim Allen faces the biggest rock monster since The Never Ending Story...Wow Wow WOW! The score is also great, capturing the adventure of the old Star Trek shows, and the epic scope of the story at hand. And then there's the way everything just comes together at the end into a sensational package of laughs, thrills, sometimes bitingly moving scenes, and a genuine feeling of warmth inside. Go and see this, buy the DVD, whatever. Just see it. Never give up, and never surrender!