lucie
12-25-99, 08:31 PM
The best way to describe "Galaxy Quest", the newly released science fiction parody, is pure fun. It's been a long time since I have enjoyed a movie this much.
There is certainly nothing new in the premise, which has been used a number of times. Anyone who saw "The Last Starfighter" in particular will have a strong sense of deja vu. The special effects, while excellent, don't break any new ground. The script is light and fun, getting serious only on occasion. What makes "Galaxy Quest" so good is the total, straight-faced, 100% commitment of everyone involved. The cast is top-notch and takes the seemingly simple and cliche characters to new depths. Tim Allen, a surprising choice in my original opinion, was perfectly cast as the William Shatner-type actor and provided a very strong center. Alan Rickman was wonderful, as always. Very nice to see Sigourney Weaver again, playing a less-than-tough space babe. Tony Shalhoub was almost invisible, but had some nice moments.
The alien design was very good, and the actors portraying the Thermites are especially notable for the fact that they are never more alien than when they look human.
Like a good science fiction movie should, GQ only asks you to swallow one premise, then builds on that one while remaining completely consistant to it. This is a trick the highly-touted Star Wars and Star Trek universes have never managed, but don't get me started on that. You will probably hear that this movie is aimed at the sci-fi fans, but I don't think so. I saw it tonight in a packed theatre with a very diverse crowd - families, dating couples, lots of younger children. Once the movie started there was silence in the theatre, except for frequent laughter. Even the six-year-old behind me forgot to kick my chair. This is the first movie I have seen in years, including Episode One, where no one got up or restless during the film.
Anyway, I liked the movie tremendously. On it's own terms, it is very good. No one will ever call it a great film, but it is certainly one of the best family films I have seen in a long time. Note that it has no foul language, but does contain some fairly unbloody violence, one gross-out bit, and Sigourney's wonder-bra. The parents of very young children may be slightly disturbed by a couple bits, but the kids themselves probably see worse things on tv every day. I think it appropriate for anyone 8 and older.
[This message has been edited by lucie (edited 12-25-1999).]
There is certainly nothing new in the premise, which has been used a number of times. Anyone who saw "The Last Starfighter" in particular will have a strong sense of deja vu. The special effects, while excellent, don't break any new ground. The script is light and fun, getting serious only on occasion. What makes "Galaxy Quest" so good is the total, straight-faced, 100% commitment of everyone involved. The cast is top-notch and takes the seemingly simple and cliche characters to new depths. Tim Allen, a surprising choice in my original opinion, was perfectly cast as the William Shatner-type actor and provided a very strong center. Alan Rickman was wonderful, as always. Very nice to see Sigourney Weaver again, playing a less-than-tough space babe. Tony Shalhoub was almost invisible, but had some nice moments.
The alien design was very good, and the actors portraying the Thermites are especially notable for the fact that they are never more alien than when they look human.
Like a good science fiction movie should, GQ only asks you to swallow one premise, then builds on that one while remaining completely consistant to it. This is a trick the highly-touted Star Wars and Star Trek universes have never managed, but don't get me started on that. You will probably hear that this movie is aimed at the sci-fi fans, but I don't think so. I saw it tonight in a packed theatre with a very diverse crowd - families, dating couples, lots of younger children. Once the movie started there was silence in the theatre, except for frequent laughter. Even the six-year-old behind me forgot to kick my chair. This is the first movie I have seen in years, including Episode One, where no one got up or restless during the film.
Anyway, I liked the movie tremendously. On it's own terms, it is very good. No one will ever call it a great film, but it is certainly one of the best family films I have seen in a long time. Note that it has no foul language, but does contain some fairly unbloody violence, one gross-out bit, and Sigourney's wonder-bra. The parents of very young children may be slightly disturbed by a couple bits, but the kids themselves probably see worse things on tv every day. I think it appropriate for anyone 8 and older.
[This message has been edited by lucie (edited 12-25-1999).]