Galaxy Quest [Blu-ray] [Region Free]

I wouldn't have thought it was possible to make a sci-fi spoof as good as this - it is both sharp and generous, and is stuffed with hilarious moments. Set at a Star Trek-style convention, it reverses the situation by having the jaded stars approached by what look like fans in costumes, but these are the real thing, from Outer Space and in trouble! Having had all they can stand of the series and playing their roles, the TV stars find themselves having to fulfil the role of heroes for a very naive people, the Thermians, steering their spaceship through all kinds of difficulties. The Thermians had got copies of the TV series, thinking of them as 'historical documents' and having no concept of acting. A forced landing on a planet to find a new beryllium sphere for fuel brings combat with a Pig-lizard and rock-monster. Despite their fearsomeness these don't daunt Commander Taggert (Tim Allen), whose hero's smile is at the ready for every occasion, stirring much jealousy in his rival with a fin on his head, played by Alan Rickman. Glamour is provided by Sigourney Weaver, as well as the reference to Alien. She has a way of repeating commands and statements exactly as they do on these programmes, in a smooth, under-control sort of tone that is very funny. Further comedy of a wide-ranging sort is provided by Sam Rockwell, lamenting the fact his character has no name because he only appeared in one actual episode. He has a moustache and a medallion, and waves a very large gun. A teenage fan of the series plays a heroic role in the end (played by Justin Long). The Thermians are brilliantly lovable, they are so gullible, and the enemy, Sarris, looks suitably hideous. The film manages to be funny one moment and emotionally affecting the next; it would be hard to imagine anyone not enjoying it, whether you are a fan of sci-fi dramas or not.

Alan Rickman is hilarious as the luvvy 'real' actor trapped for years by a sci-fi role he hates, as is Sigourney Weaver as an actress who resents being nothing more than a cleavage in a jumpsuit, while Tim Allen out-shatners William Shatner as the vainglorious lead of a long-defunct tv show, living off the adoration of the fans and totally oblivous to the resentment of his co-stars.A terrific, but very affectionate, send-up of the original Star Trek (and it's hardcore fans) and a thrilling sci-fi adventure that's not just the equal of but, in many cases, is superior to most of the Enterprise's big screen outings as the cast are picked up and dragged into a galactic war by cinema's most adorable alien race, the Thermians, who have mistaken their low-budget tv heroics for the real thing.A joy to watch from start to finish.

This is one of the best spoof movies ever made. Twenty years after its first release it is still hilarious and exciting, an adventure in science fiction in its own right and yet a powerful send-up of Star Trek and every other successful SF franchise. This was Guardians of The Galaxy before Guardians was even an idea. The acting is superb, the cast impeccable and the sets are brilliant. The star is still the plot which is ridiculous and clever. A superb and creative action comedy and replete with inside jokes and fan humour: a real treat. My third time watching this and it still holds well.

This is a fantastic sci-fi spoof that combines cleverness without being up itself, and excellent laugh out loud comedy. So the cast of Galaxy Quest are largely has-beens, living off the show's legend, but unknown to them aliens have watched every episode and actually think the fictional TV cast are the real deal. Cue them being sent into space to try and save the day in an interstellar kind of way. It's absolutely fantastic. The late Alan Rickman plays a disillusioned thespian, Sigourney Weaver is spot on as the futuristic femme fatale, and Tim Allen plays the drunk former starship commander. There's plenty of trekkie in-jokes, including great takes on the usual fate of the red shirt security guys.Books you might like to read Cold Steel on the Rocks We Are Cold Steel

I can remember as a kid reading that TV and radio transmissions on Earth are radiating out into space. What would an alien civilisation make of it all was the usual question. In 'Galaxy Quest' we get an answer. The Thermians have picked up a corny Sci-Fi series, obviously based on the original version of Star Trek, and are so impressed by how the spaceship crew in it save themselves and the universe each week that they use it as a model for their own civilisation. When that is threatened with destruction, what else is there to do but go looking for the crew themselves? And where will they find them? At a convention of course where, to make it even better, the aliens don't even look out of place.It's a sweet and often funny film. The Thermians are adorably naive and honourable, especially their leader Mathesar, brilliantly played by Enrico Colantoni. The 'crew', a cynical, feuding bunch of has-been actors, are quite amusing too. Tim Allen is probably the best of the bunch as the egomaniac 'captain'. I guess he just had to channel his inner William Shatner. Alan Rickman is funny too, as the embittered thesp.I have to admit it all got a bit too self-knowing for me at times, but it is a genuine love letter to Sci-Fi on TV, just as much as a satire. I loved the character who's the equivalent of one of those guys in a red vest from Star Trek, the one in each episode who you've never seen before and immediately know is scheduled to die in the next five minutes. Finally, he doesn't die and even gets a name!Best of all, I loved the fact (spoiler alert) that in the end it's the geeky superfans who save the universe.