"Galaxy Quest" is a comedy that satirizes the original "Star Trek" show and its devoted followers. Never mind that the 1960s series was actually pretty good; it did spawn some bad successors, like "Battlestar Galactica". Those familiar with television sci-fi shows will recognize more of the references than those who aren't; it helps that it is well explained that the acting career of Guy Fleegman (Sam Rockwell) consisted of an early death as a 'redshirt' on a "Star Trek", sorry, "Galaxy Quest" episode.

The story begins with the veterans of a long-cancelled, but now legendary sci-fi television series ("Galaxy Quest") attending yet another convention in its honor. Gregarious Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen) loves the grind, and the top billing of having played the Captain. His former co-stars despise his ego. (Could any of this be a reference to William Shatner? Could they make it any more obvious?) They also are sick of conventions, and pandering to star-crossed fans, whose rabid devotion is mocked. Alexander Dane (Alan Rickman) is a ponderous British actor who feels that he's hit rock bottom. He played an alien science officer. Gwen DeMarco (Sigourney Weaver, buried in a blonde wig) was the series' communications officer and sex symbol. Tommy Webber (Daryl Mitchell) was the helmsman and kid genius. Fred Kwan (Tony Shalhoub) was the ship engineer.

Just when it finally dawns on Nesmith how shallow his career has become, new motivation arrives in the form of actual aliens from the Klatu Nebula. They are gentle, naive people with British Invasion haircuts and suits, led by Mathesar (Enrico Colantoni).

Unfortunately, their people are being exterminated by Sarris (Robin Sachs), who looks like Bigfoot covered with spiky green lizard skin. The Klatu have seen "Galaxy Quest" broadcasts, and consider them to be 'historical documents'. The former cast members think they are getting another convention gig, but instead end up in space, helping the Klatu in their battles against Sarris.

Admittedly, some scenes are hilarious. My favorite is when the newly transported actors are first confronted by the aliens, who appear as giant octopuses armed with electronics devices. Another good laugh is the mis-transported alien (Anyone for lasagna?), and Rickman's home planet cuisine (The ship's computers made that?).

But elsewhere the humor is forced, much like the personality changes of Allen's character. Weaver is second billed, but doesn't get to do much other than get angry. Rickman's discovery of his character's transcendent meaning fails to bring the intended tears to the eye. While the actors' sudden empowerment in their real life roles is predictable, it doesn't make it any less of a fantasy. The Klatu have been faithfully watching American television broadcasts, without understanding the concept of duplicity? But they've patterned their spaceships, including the engineering, after a television show? Would Sarris drop everything to spend ten minutes explaining the concept of acting to Mathesar? Is it really funny when the giant rock monster stomps the spiky lizard guys? (I guess it missed the transport pad on the way up.)

Sci-Fi parody has been done before. "Flash Gordon" (1980), "Buckaroo Banzai" (1984), Mars Attacks! (1996). Some would argue that "Independence Day" (1996) was a parody; it couldn't have been that silly on purpose. Which really gets to the heart of the matter. Since bad pop culture is already a joke, is there any point to satirizing it? (35/100)




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