GALAXY QUEST [1999 /2019] [20th Anniversary Special Limited Collector’s SteelBook Edition] [Blu-ray] [USA Release] The Show Was Cancelled . . . But The Adventure Has Only Begun!
Twenty years after cancellation, the stars of the ‘Galaxy Quest’ Television Series, cling to their careers appearing at a Sci-Fi Conventions and Electronic Store openings. When a distressed interstellar race mistakes the show for a “historic document.” Jason Nesmith [Tim Allen] and his crew of has-beens are unwittingly recruited to save them from a genocidal warlord.
‘GALAXY QUEST’ features an all-star ensemble, including Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shallhoub and Sam Rockwell, in this hilarious adventure that boldly goes where no comedy has gone before.
For four years, the courageous crew of the NSEA protector – Commander Peter Quincy Taggart [Tim Allen], Lieutenant Tawny Madison [Sigourney Weaver] and Dr. Lazarus [Alan Rickman] – set off on a thrilling and often dangerous mission in space... and then their series was cancelled! Now, twenty years later, aliens under attack have mistaken the ‘Galaxy Quest’ television transmissions for "historical documents" and beam up the crew of has-been actors to save the universe. With no script, no director and no clue, the actors must turn in the performances of their lives.
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 2001 Hochi Film Awards: Win: Best Foreign Language Film for Dean Parisot. 2000 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA: Win: Saturn Award for Best Actor for Tim Allen. Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film. Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Actress for Sigourney Weaver. Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor for Alan Rickman. Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor/Actress for Justin Long. Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Director for Dean Parisot. Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Music for David Newman. Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Costumes for Albert Wolsky. Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Make-Up for Hallie D'Amore, Stan Winston and Ve Neill. Nominated: Saturn Award for Best Special Effects for Bill George, Kim Bromley, Robert Stadd and Stan Winston. 2000 Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival: Win: Silver Scream Award for Dean Parisot. 2000 Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film: Win: Pegasus Audience Award for Dean Parisot. Win: Silver Raven Award for Best Screenplay for David Howard. 2000 Casting Society of America: Nominated: Artios Award for Best Casting for Feature Film and Comedy for Debra Zane. 2000 Hugo Awards: Win: Best Dramatic Presentation for David Howard (story/screenplay), Dean Parisot (director) and
Robert Gordon (screenplay). 2000 Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards: Nominated: Sierra Award for Best Visual Effects for Bill George. 2000 Teen Choice Awards: Nominated: Film – Choice Comedy. 2001 Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America: Win: Nebula Award for Best Script for David Howard and Robert Gordon.
FILM FACT No.2: Filming Locations: Goblin Valley State Park – Highway 24, Green River, Utah, USA. Stahl House, Case House 22 – 1635 Woods Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA (Jason Nesmith's house). Culver Studios at 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA. Hollywood Palladium at 6215 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA (Convention).
FILM FACT No.3: ‘GALAXY QUEST’ went on to achieve cult status through the years, especially from Star Trek fans for its affectionate parody, but also to more mainstream audiences as a comedy film in its own right. Several former cast and crew members of Star Trek also went on to praise the film. It was included in Reader's Digest's list of The Top 100 + Funniest Movies of All Time in 2012, while Star Trek fans voted it the seventh best Star Trek film of all time in 2013.
Cast: Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell, Daryl Mitchell, Enrico Colantoni, Robin Sachs (General Roth'h'ar Sarris), Patrick Breen, Missi Pyle, Jed Rees, Justin Long, Jeremy Howard, Kaitlin Cullum, Jonathan Feyer, Corbin Bleu, Wayne Pére, Sam Lloyd, Bill Chott, Morgan Rusler, Gregg Binkley, Brandon Michael de Paul, Paul G. Kubiak, Gregory Colbrook, Jennifer Manley, John Patrick White, Todd Giebenhain, J.P. Manoux, Dan Gunther, Matt Winston, Brandon Keener, Dian Bachar, Rainn Wilson, Isaac C. Singleton Jr., Jerry Penacoli, Joel McKinnon Miller, Kevin Hamilton McDonald, Daniel T. Parker, Dawn Hutchins, Joe Frank (Voice of the Computer), Larry Richards, Mic Tomasi, Heath Castor (uncredited), Mike J Daugherity (uncredited), Joseph J. Dawson (uncredited), Paulie DiCocco III (uncredited), David Dorfman (uncredited), Andrew Doucette (uncredited), Michael Haboush (uncredited), Erik Johnson (uncredited), Janis Jones (uncredited), Danilo Mancinelli (uncredited), Paul McMichael (uncredited), Molly O'Brien (uncredited), Brian Penikas (uncredited) and Rocco Salata (uncredited)
Director: Dean Parisot
Producers: Allegra Clegg, Charles Newirth, Elizabeth Cantillon, Janet Lewin, Mark Johnson, Sona Gourgourisand Suzann Ellis
Screenplay: David Howard (story/screenplay) and Robert Gordon (screenplay)
Composer: David Newman
Cinematography: Jerzy Zielinski (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Audio: English: 5.1 Dolby TrueHD Master Audio
Spanish: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
Thermian: 2.0 Dolby Digital Surround
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Português
Running Time: 101 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Paramount Pictures / DreamWorks Pictures
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: ‘GALAXY QUEST’ is the type of comedy that sneaks up on you without warning. During its theatrical run in 1999, the film had the misfortune to be marketed as a typical Tim Allen slapstick farce and the trailers made it look like 'The Santa Clause' in outer space. That really undersells its charms, to both the actor's usual fans, who may not be so interested in science fiction and to the fans that might be put off by Tim Allen’s presence. The comedy Sci-Fi film therefore comes as a massive pleasant surprise. Over the years ‘GALAXY QUEST’ and its history has been marked by viewers claiming that they expected to hate it, only to be won over in the end and I never saw it in the cinema, but it was well worth the wait, as I think this film is totally brilliant and now I am a massive fan.
The ‘GALAXY QUEST’ film is a pitch-perfect send-up of sci-fi TV shows and films and specifically 'Star Trek' shows and films of the same genre. Tim Allen plays Jason Nesmith, one-time star of a cheesy cult TV series that went off the air in 1982. In the years since, he and the cast of fellow washed-up actors like Alan Rickman as the bumpy-headed alien, Sigourney Weaver as the aging sexpot, Tony Shalhoub as the mildly-offensive racial stereotype, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell as the former annoying child star that has luckily now grown up, have been wasting away in the convention circuit, signing autographs for geeky fans that continue to dress up in costume and demand answers to ridiculous plot holes in the old show. Their lives seem trapped in a dreary cycle of rejection, failure, and despair.
That all changes in a big way when a group of genuine space aliens from a planet with no concept of fiction arrive on Earth. The Thermians have been monitoring the transmission of a “historical documents” from our planet, and now request assistance from the valiant crew of the NSEA Protector to help them deal with an evil grasshopper-like warlord called Sarris who wants to wipe them out. To prepare, they've studied every episode in depth and built an exact replica of the Protector spaceship and one that actually works. All they need is the heroic Capt. Peter Taggart (Jason Nesmith 's alter ego) to tell them what to do. Now, the band of has-beens will need to muster up the courage and conviction to become the people they've long pretended to be.
The genius of ‘GALAXY QUEST’ is that it functions as both a cunning “tongue in cheek” satire of all things science fiction and 'Star Trek' related, and yet also a loving tribute to them. The film's creators obviously love and respect the real 'Star Trek' and its fans, but aren't afraid to poke a little fun. The film is filled with clever references and twists on such things as phasers, tricorders, transporters, communicators, shuttlecraft, warp drive, force fields, the universal translator, and assorted nonsense technobabble. The ship's bridge shakes when attacked. Alien planets naturally have Earth-like gravity and air. The daring captain will of course find excuse to tear off his shirt. When it comes down to it, even the show's fans will play an important role in the adventure.
Tim Allen is surprisingly well-cast as the cocky, vain, attention-hogging blowhard who must find the hero within after his confidence is shaken. Alan Rickman embodies defeated dignity as the classically-trained actor forever trapped in a role he hates. I don't generally think of Sigourney Weaver as a “sex symbol,” but the actress really had it going on in this film and Gwen DeMarco's is really smart, and knows how to deliver an exasperated one-liner. Also hilarious is Sam Rockwell as the anonymous random crewmember convinced that he's expendable and doomed to die horrifically. Backing them up are some very funny supporting actors such as Enrico Colantoni, Rainn Wilson, Missi Pyle and Justin Long.
‘GALAXY QUEST’ is a true sci-fi spoof, but also a legitimately very funny and exciting story in its own right. The characters are well-developed, the dialogue is sharp, and the jokes consistently hit their targets with laser-like precision. You don't have to be a Trekkie to appreciate this comedy, though it certainly doesn't hurt.
One interesting information I found out is the “Reaction quotes from Star Trek actors” and I thought you would like to read these quotes, as I think it shows you how genuinely loved these actors loved ‘GALAXY QUEST’ and now read on:.
“I had originally not wanted to see ‘GALAXY QUEST’ because I heard that it was making fun of Star Trek, and then Jonathan Frakes rang me up and said “You must not miss this movie! See it on a Saturday night in a full theatre.” And I did, and of course I found it was brilliant. No one laughed louder or longer in the cinema than I did, but the idea that the ship was saved and all of our heroes in that movie were saved simply by the fact that there were fans who did understand the scientific principles on which the ship worked was absolutely wonderful. And it was both funny and also touching in that it paid tribute to the dedication of these fans.” — Patrick Stewart.
“I loved ‘GALAXY QUEST’ and I thought it was brilliant satire, not only of Trek, but of fandom in general. The only thing I wish they had done was cast me in it, and have me play a freaky fan boy who keeps screaming at the actor who played “the kid” about how awful it was that there was a kid on the spaceship, alas.” — Wil Wheaton.
“I think it's a chillingly realistic documentary. [Laughs] The details in it, I recognised every one of them. It is a powerful piece of documentary filmmaking. And I do believe that when we get kidnapped by aliens, it's going to be the genuine, true Star Trek fans who will save the day. ... I was rolling in the aisles. And Tim Allen [star] had that Shatner-esque swagger down pat. And I roared when the shirt came off, and Sigourney Weaver [co-star] rolls her eyes and says, “There goes that shirt again” ... How often did we hear that on the set? [Laughs]” – George Takei
Blu-ray Image Quality – DreamWorks Pictures presents ‘GALAXY QUEST’ in a very respectable 2.35:1 aspect ratio and especially in a beautiful 1080p encode image that is well detailed and highly pleasing. Elements in the crew's costumes, against the set design, and across metallic elements are presented in attractively well-sketched fashion, while facial close-ups and the desert location shots aptly preserve natural textures. The computer-generated elements pour through the image to degrees that retained motion and line integrity well, even if they're showing a bit of their age. Contrast levels also look exceptional, holding onto minor gradient shifts in shady sequences and preserving depth to proper degrees. Appearing largely similar in palette to the previous standard-definition editions, it does suffer from a few colour solidity issues against many of its backdrops. It occurs throughout, though the night-time sequence with Nesmith in his mansion shows a good amount of the issues. Also, grain pushes over towards digital blocking and compression issues instead of natural film grain, while a noticeably amount of dots and blips with print damage can be seem. These elements keep the image looking a little more digital than expected, yet it is still a very attractive upgrade over other very standard-definition counterparts.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – ‘GALAXY QUEST’ warps onto this Blu-ray with an engaging and fantastic 5.1 Dolby TrueHD Master Audio soundtrack. Though the track is disappointingly front-heavy during the opening convention sequence, it doesn't take long for it to engage “warp speed” and evolve into a well-above-average listen. The audio track does well to mix powerful sound effects, fine directionality, and aggressive bass throughout the outer space sequences; weapons fire penetrates the listening area, ships swoop from front to back, and various explosions pack a hefty wallop. One of the film's signature scenes is the “chompers” that famously represent lazy writing that serves not to further the technical realities of a fictional universe but instead create a situation for false but dramatic effect, creates a sense of panic in the listening area as the thuds of each metallic collision seem to crush the entire soundstage while the sounds of hydraulics are heard moving all about the listening area. Additional and far more subtle effects give a consistent hum of the Protector's engines in the calmer scenes, for instance and often do well to create a decent sense of atmosphere throughout. David Newman's [‘The Spirit’] excellent score enjoys a fine clarity through the entire range, and dialogue reproduction never falters throughout. ‘GALAXY QUEST’ doesn't feature the most robust or crystal-clear soundtrack out there, but it does make for a solid all-around listen.
Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: Galactopedia: This hilarious interactive trivia interface, that was designed by Michael Okuda and Denis Okuda and is designed to give you a very interesting and fascinating interactive experience that allows you to access information about People, Technology, Locations and much more, especially at the moment each item appears in the film. It informs you that you have to switch mode to scan the whole database and jumps directly to the items of interest. All content is divided into eight different categories and they are as follows: Actors; Behind The Scenes; Characters; Episodes; Fandom; Planets & Aliens; Pop Culture and Science & Technology, and of course the detail information subject appears at the bottom of the screen.
Special Feature: Historical Documents: The Story of ‘GALAXY QUEST’ [2009] [1080p/480i] [1.37:1/1.78:1/2.35:1] [18:13] This special feature retrospective documentary offers interviews with the cast and crew looking back on their experience making the movie. Points of discussion include how the film evolved from an early concept titled ‘Captain Starshine,’ and of course the obvious 'Star Trek' and sci-fi influences, and the studio's difficulty marketing the film. The piece is a bit of a love-fest, but it is generally very good-natured and not cloyingly self-congratulatory. 'Star Trek II' director Nicholas Meyer makes an appearance to call the Sci-Fi film “brilliant.” Now that is what I call the greatest compliment it could ever receive. Contributors include: Robert Gordon (Screenplay), Dean Parisot (Director), Tim Allen (Jason Nesmith), Mark Johnson (Producer), Sigourney Weaver (Gwen DeMarco), David Howard (Screenwriter), Sam Rockwell (Guy Fleegman), Tony Shalhoub (Fred Kwan), Justin Long (Brandon), Nicholas Meyer (Director: ‘Star Trek II’ and ‘Star Trek VI’ / Writer: ‘Star Trek IV’ and ‘Star Trek VI’), Alan Rickman (Alexander Dane), Enrico Colantoni (Mathesar), Missi Pyle (Laliari) and Daryl “Chill” Mitchell (Tommy Webber).
Special Feature: By Grabthar's Hammer, What Amazing Effects [2009] [1080p/480i] [2.35:1/1.78:1/1.37:1] [7:02] This special feature is primarily comprised of vintage documentary footage of Stan Winston and Industrial Light & Magic’s superb special visual effects and make-up effects and describing their work on the film. Please note that the Protector's bridge set was designed to really shaken up during explosions, rather than the usual practice of just shaking the cameras and you get to see all the actors being thrown about, so making it look totally realistic. Contributors include: Robert Gordon (Screenplay), Dean Parisot (Director), Tim Allen (Jason Nesmith), Mark Johnson (Producer), Stan Winston (Make-Up Effects), Robin Sachs (Sarris), Sigourney Weaver (Gwen DeMarco), Enrico Colantoni (Mathesar), Daryl “Chill” Mitchell (Tommy Webber) and Tony Shalhoub (Fred Kwan).
Special Feature: Alien School: Creating the Thermian Race [2009] [1080p/480i] [2.35:1/1.78:1/1.37:1] [5:22] Enrico Colantoni explains how he developed the bizarre speech pattern for the alien characters. Sam Rockwell also talks about the Alien Sex scene late in the film. Finally, they give due diligence to Erico Colantoni's and his conceptualization of the alien race and how he wanted them to speak in English. Contributors include: Robert Gordon (Screenplay), Dean Parisot (Director), Enrico Colantoni (Mathesar), Tim Allen (Jason Nesmith), Missi Pyle (Laliari), Sam Rockwell (Guy Fleegman), Alan Rickman (Alexander Dane), Tony Shalhoub (Fred Kwan), Justin Long (Brandon) and Sigourney Weaver (Gwen DeMarco).
Special Feature: Actors in Space [2009] [1080p/480i] [1.78:1/2.35:1/1.37:1] [6:09] With this special feature, we take a look at the has-been actors with the ‘Galaxy Quest’ Television Series, that found themselves thrust into an interstellar adventure and how that “pathetic” life is a very real thing in and around Hollywood today. The cast discuss their own experiences of being typecast in their famous roles, and how that has affected their careers in Hollywood. You will find Nicholas Meyer (Director: ‘Star Trek II and Star Trek VI’) here and the other actors discuss being thought of as the characters they have played and it is great fun to hear them discuss the nature of their long term acting careers. Contributors include: Robert Gordon (Screenplay), Dean Parisot (Director), Alan Rickman (Alexander Dane), Sigourney Weaver (Gwen DeMarco), Enrico Colantoni (Mathesar), Justin Long (Brandon), Daryl “Chill” Mitchell (Tommy Webber), Missi Pyle (Laliari), Nicholas Meyer (Director: ‘Star Trek II’ and ‘Star Trek VI’ / Writer: ‘Star Trek IV’ and ‘Star Trek VI’), Tim Allen (Jason Nesmith) and Sam Rockwell (Guy Fleegman).
Special Feature: Sigourney Weaver Raps [2009] [1080p/480i] [1.78:1/1.37:1] [1:59] Signourney Weaver explains how this Birthday Celebration Rap video tribute came about for her Agent Sam Cohen at ICM and was trying to think of an appropriate birthday present she could give him, because Signourney Weaver could not attend in New York and was taught Rap and decided to send Sam Cohen a video of her performance and here we get to view the video entitled “Sam’s Rap Song,” and here we get to see co rappers Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, Sam Rockwell, Missi Pyle and Patrick Breen join Signourney Weaver in this Rap tribute on the set of Paramount Pictures and at the end of the video we get to read “We love you Sam!” Some people have said this is a load of old rubbish, well I thought it was a great effort.
Special Feature: Deleted Scenes [2009] [1080p] [1.37:1/2.35:1] Here we get to view eight deleted scenes and they are as follows: Tech Talk with Sergeant Chen [2:15]; Alex Tours His “Personalized” Quarters [1:46]; A Running Spat Between Old Flames [00:40]; Guy Gets Attacked [00:51]; Alex’s Motivational Speech [2:01]; Gwen Saves The Day [1:29]; The Crew vs. Sarris [00:47] and Sweet Serenity at Last: The Director’s Cut with Intro and now for the first time ever on this Blu-ray disc, Paramount Home Entertainment is proud to bring you the Rock Monsters final sequence as it is meant to be seen [1:04]. As usual, you can either play each deleted scene separately or Play All. Contributors include: Robert Gordon (Screenplay), Dean Parisot (Director), Tim Allen (Jason Nesmith) and Alan Rickman (Alexander Dane)
Special Feature: Thermian Audio Track: The entire film can be viewed with the dialogue overdubbed in the shrieking Thermian alien language in 2.0 Dolby Digital Surround format. The joke is mildly amusing for about a minute, and then quickly grows very annoying. This will only be of interest with Sci-Fi nerds who love this sort of thing.
Theatrical Trailer [1999] [1080p] [2.35:1] [1:55] This is the Original Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘GALAXY QUEST.’
Finally, ‘GALAXY QUEST’ is sheer perfection in its ability to both engender its own identity while at the same time playing with the vast Star Trek’ universe, both on-screen and in the real world and in its creation of the ultimate parody of the series and satire on the fans behind the obsession. Painting the cast, the characters they play, and their most ardent fans as heroes, ‘GALAXY QUEST’ betters the admittedly fun Trekkies by giving the fans their rightful due and painting them as perhaps slightly off-kilter but nevertheless worthwhile in their pursuit of knowledge in a world that exists only in media. As a Parody, they don't come any better, and the effort is headlined by a remarkable performance by Tim Allen that captures the very essence of ‘Star Trek’ icon William Shatner to uncanny perfection. The Blu-ray release has some real gem of superb technical presentation and some really decent collection of special features. “By Grabthar's Hammer” ‘GALAXY QUEST’ comes highly recommended, so much so, it has now gone to the top of my most watched Blu-ray disc, as I think this is such a brilliant tour-de-force comedy and a very genuine loveable Sci-Fi film to make you laugh out loud and get its total Sci-Fi genre send up and what makes it even more superb, is all the brilliant actors who make this such a brilliant film what it is for us true Sci-Fi fans of this genre and also a great honour to add this to my Blu-ray Collection. Very Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
