Galaxy Quest (Blu-ray)

Dreamworks / 1999 / 102 mins / Rated PG
Blu-ray Release Date: 11-17-09
Reviewed on 11-10-09

By Grabthor’s Hammer, Galaxy Quest is one of my favorite all time comedies... right up there with the original In-laws, Planes Trains & Automobiles and National Lampoon’s Vacation. Released a decade ago (Geeze, has it been that long???), Sony is wisely breathing new life into this cult classic by re-releasing it on Blu-ray with a load of extras.

Featuring an all-star cast lead by Tim Allen, the premise is simple enough: The washed-up cast of a Star Trek wannabe Sci-fi show suddenly finds themselves catapulted into space by an alien race who rest their hopes on this cast of actors... who they believe are their actual characters.

With an outstanding supporting cast including Sigourney Weaver, Sam Rockwell, Tony Shalhoub, Enrico Colantoni, Daryl Mitchell, scene-stealer Alan Rickman as well as a very young Justin Long... Galaxy Quest quickly became an instant classic by smartly pleasing both comedy fans and Sci-fi geeks.

Turn your phasers to stun and run out to your video store to pick up the incredible

Blu-ray Edition of Galaxy Quest, which releases November 17th for the first time!

I remember going to see this movie with low expectations. The trailer was mildly amusing, and Tim Allen... who had skyrocketed to fame with Home Improvement was beginning to wear his welcome a little thin. But almost instantly, Galaxy Quest drew me right in. Allen is perfectly cast as a Shatner-type blow hard whose cast mates absolutely deplore. With their 80’s show long defunct, the best gigs these guys can get are Sci-fi conventions and mall openings... where Shakespeare trained Alan Rickman’s character must utter the famous line he’s grown to despise, “By Grabthor’s hammer…”

Once the plot kicks into gear and the dysfunctional cast is thrown into peril, it’s up to Tim Allen’s Jason Nesmith to finally rise to the occasion and lead his team of idiots to victory. By the end of the movie, even the snobbish Rickman’s Alexander Dane musters a passionate and well-earned reprise of his famous line.

Galaxy Quest is one of the few ‘gimmick’ movies that’s actually rises above its gimmick within the first five minutes. This could have easily become a one-joke premise that would have run out of air by the first act... but instead, under Dean Parisot’s brisk direction and David Howard and Robert Gordon’s witty script, the movie quickly has you rooting for every member of the cast. Even Sam Rockwell’s memorable “character without a last name” -- who’s certain he’ll be the first one killed off because he’s a glorified extra -- ultimately finds his day in the sun.

The only surprise upon watching it again was why the filmmakers have yet to make a sequel. Though it could never touch the original, the characters are so clearly defined and lovable, audiences would flock to revisit the gang ten years later.

At an MSRP of $29.99 (but easily found for under $20) this Blu-ray release needs to be beamed to your video library shelf immediately!

VIDEO

Galaxy Quest has never looked better. The 1080p, 2.39:1 aspect ratio transfer utilizes an MPEG-4 AVC codec. The look of the film was never particularly state-of-the-art, especially in terms of special effects. It seems the intent was to give the film a cheesy early Star Trek look, and on that level, it works. Most scenes, particularly on the ship are over lit and glossy, while the scenes on earth appear very episodic.

AUDIO

The DTS-HD Master 5.1 delivers! Particularly in many of the action scenes, including a war waged upon the battling ship and Jason’s fight on the planet with the rock monster.

EXTRAS

• Historical Documents: The Story of Galaxy Quest – Combining new and vintage interviews with everyone in the cast. Entertaining tidbits like when Allen/Weaver encounter the CHOMPERS, Weaver originally drops an F-bomb, but that never made it to the screen due to the PG rated, so she was dubbed over. Other amusing bits include Alan Rickman’s obvious disdain for Tim Allen’s antics on set—although covered with affection, it’s obvious it only helped for their on screen relationship.

• Never Give Up. Never Surrender: The Intrepid Crew of the NSEA Protector – More great interviews and tidbits like how Shalhoub had to ‘find his character’ on set as well as memorable Sam Rockwell impression by Justin Long (who’s proving to become a bonafide comedy genius.) The affection between the actors and director shines through with each recollection. Again, why haven’t they done a sequel??

• Sigourney Weaver Raps

• By Grabthar’s Hammer, What Amazing Effects

• Alien School: Creating the Thermian Race

• Actors in Space 

• Deleted Scenes

• Theatrical Trailer 

• Thermian Audio Track

MY SAY

Buy it, own it, watch it, live it!!! Galaxy Quest is a must... whether this is your first time or fiftieth viewing. Never give up! Never Surrender!