Galaxy Quest Review

Synopsis
The cast of the hit 80s show Galaxy Quest don’t have much of a career anymore. Going to conventions and doing promotions in character is the only way they can make money. When an alien race called the Thermians mistake the show as “historical documents” and seeks the crew’s help to save their people, the cast of Galaxy Quest must pretend to be the heroes the aliens believe them to be.

Review
Whenever I think about my favorite parodies, one of the first ones that come to mind is Galaxy Quest. This is one of those comedies were everything just seems to pull together perfectly. All the jokes are funny without being forced, every character gets their chance to have their laugh, even the serious ones you don’t expect, and the cast just works.

It is very obvious that the cast of Galaxy Quest was having a good time. Even with such a large, eclectic group of actors, the chemistry between them is great. I don’t know how they did it but Dreamworks managed to assemble one of the best casts in any film ever. Each character has their own unique personality. They all resemble the different types of actors that are no longer in their prime. From the attention seeker to the drama queen, they are all here.

Tim Allen has no problem portraying the self-centered “leader” of the group who feeds off of the audience’s fondness for him. He brings his signature wit and comedic timing. I’m a big fan of Allen and although this may not be my favorite role of his, he is still very enjoyable to watch.

Sigourney Weaver could not be any more perfect for her role. In the film’s TV show, she is a stereotypical science-fiction female character, not really providing much value except for eye-candy and but dammit will she do her best. This is perfect for her given one of her earliest and best roles was one of the most badass females in science-fiction, or even cinema for that matter.

Alan Rickman plays a British actor who longs to be back on the stage but instead is stuck in this role repeating a catch phrase he is getting tired of repeating. He plays the down-on-his-luck Shakespearean actor part so believably. Some of my favorite moments are in the beginning when he is at conventions and this fans say his catch phrase to him. I laugh every time he begrudgingly signs his autograph. However, this moment is probably my favorite for the character (it’s a little hard to set up with words so you’ll just have to watch it yourself).

Tony Shalhoub is the most deadpan of everyone in the group. He doesn’t seem phased when the crew first gets teleported to the Thermian ship, he’s in no rush when delivering vital news about damaged systems and he doesn’t think twice about opening the hatch when landing on an alien planet. Shalhoub delivers every line with the perfect tone and attitude.

Sam Rockwell is the biggest surprise of the bunch. He plays an extra who appeared for a few minutes on one episode before being killed off and is starstruck being around the show’s other actors. It’s hard to say he is the comedic relief with every character offering so many comedic moments but he made me laugh the hardest.

There are so many more excellent characters but I don’t want to get into everybody because then we would be here for a while. I have talked a lot about the cast because they are really why this film works so well. However, what helped them is the fantastic script. Even with a cast so large, no one feels like they are getting shafted on time. They each have their shining moments. It is very difficult to pick a favorite moment for each character because they all have so many. Best of all, every character has a completed arc by the end of the film. That’s quite a feat given a) it’s an ensemble and b) that doesn’t happen in comedies very often.

This film is often viewed as a parody about science-fiction shows, such as Star Trek, but it parodies more than that: it parodies the fandom. Conventions are a huge part of the film, it is where we meet the characters after all. There is this subtle show of affection towards fans. People who, like myself, get completely engrossed in a show or movie, whether they are called Trekkies, Brown Coats, Potterheads or what have you. It’s not poking fun at them as much as it is celebrating the idea of being part of a fandom.

I thought Galaxy Quest was GREAT :-D. It is often an overlooked gem of a movie. The casting is spot on and the script is brilliantly written. This film both pokes fun and pays homage to the classic science-fiction shows and, more than that, their fans. Few parodies can deliver such reverence and humor at the same time that Galaxy Quest manages to.

Favorite Quote
Guy: I changed my mind. I want to go back.
Alexander: After the fuss you made about getting left behind?
Guy: Yeah, but that’s when I thought I was the crewman that stays on the ship and something is up there and it kills me. But now I’m thinking I’m the guy who gets killed by some monster five minutes after we land on the planet.
Jason: You’re not gonna die on the planet, Guy.
Guy: I’m not? Then what’s my last name?
Jason: It’s, uh, um, uh… I don’t know.
Guy: Nobody knows. You know why? Because my character isn’t important enough for a last name because I’m gonna die five minutes in!
Gwen: Guy, you have a last name.
Guy: Do I!? Do I!? For all you know I’m just Crewman #6!

Trailer

Cast & Crew
Dean Parisot – Director
David Howard – Story / Screenplay
Robert Gordon – Screenplay
David Newman – Composer
Tim Allen – Jason Nesmith
Sigourney Weaver – Gwen DeMarco
Alan Rickman – Alexander Dane
Tony Shalhoub – Fred Kwan
Sam Rockwell – Guy Fleegman
Daryl Mitchell – Tommy Webber
Enrico Colantoni – Mathesar
Robin Sachs – Sarris
Patrick Breen – Quellek
Missi Pyle – Laliari
Jed Rees – Teb
Justin Long – Brandon
Jeremy Howard – Kyle
Johnathan Feyer – Hollister

Lightning Review: Ghostbusters 2

Synopsis
Five years after their battle with Gozer, the Ghostbusters, Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Raymond Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis), and Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson), have disbanded. But the when the negativity of New York begins to materialize as a mysterious river of ectoplasm underneath the city, they must reform to control the resurgence of paranormal activity.

Review
Successful sequels can be difficult to pull off because they need to remain true to the previous film(s) while standing on their own. Unfortunately, I think Ghostbusters 2 tries too hard to capture what made Ghostbusters so entertaining and fails to offer something different. It follows very much the same formula as the first: the Ghostbusters come together, there is a montage of them catching random ghosts throughout the city while researching the big baddie, then the team focuses on the villain. There really isn’t too much unique about it. The cast didn’t seem to be as energetic as before, particularly Bill Murray. He was able to shine by playing on the character’s selfishness but Peter and Dana’s (Sigourney Weaver) relationship became one of the central focuses of the film, derailing Murray’s humor, as well as the story. Rick Moranis, one of the best parts about Ghostbusters, gets a larger role this time around but he isn’t used as effectively. In the end, Ghostbusters 2 was too similar to it’s predecessor to really stand on its own and failed to recapture to magic of Ghostbusters.

Rating
2.5/5

Trailer

Cast & Crew
Ivan Reitman – Director
Dan Aykroyd – Writer
Harold Ramis – Writer
Randy Edelman – Composer

Bill Murray – Dr. Peter Venkman
Dan Aykroyd – Dr. Raymond Stantz
Harold Ramis – Dr. Egon Spengler
Ernie Hudon – Winston Zeddmore
Sigourney Weaver – Dana Barrett
Rick Moranis – Louis Tully
Annie Potts – Janine Melnitz
Peter MacNicol – Dr. Janosz Poha
Harris Yulin – The Judge
David Margulies – Mayor
Kurt Fuller – Hardemeyer
Wilhelm von Homburg – Vigo
Max von Sydow – Vigo (voice)

Ghostbusters Review

Synopsis
Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Raymond Stantz (Dan Aykroyd) and Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis) are parapsychologists who create the Ghostbusters after losing their jobs at Columbia University. They use their knowledge of the paranormal to rid the streets of New York from ghosts. But they mey have met their toughest spirit yet when they get a call from Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) after she sees a demon in her fridge.

Review
I can’t remember the first time I saw Ghostbusters, but I do remember I was really young and I really, really enjoyed it. Bill Murray’s quips, Dan Aykroyd’s excitement (particularly over slime) and Harold Ramis’ dramatic scientific babble all entranced me. It may seem like a weird mix, but they somehow manage to craft a story that is equally enjoyed by both my younger and older selves.

This movie’s success no doubt comes from the chemistry between Murray, Aykroyd and Ramis. The way they are able to bounce off each other is fantastic. Each brings their own sense of humor to the mix; Murray is great at improvisation and gives some of the most memorable lines, and Ramis is more science nerd than the others, but Aykroyd is the heart of the cast. He is brimming with energy that comes through the screen and you can’t help yourself but smile.

Rick Moranis is the unsung hero of Ghostbusters. Like with Aykroyd, Moranis brings so much energy to his performance. He is a socially awkward accountant who lives across the hall from Dana Barret (Sigourney Weaver). I can’t mention enough how fantastic Moranis is with the role. He is able to do more with the part than I’m sure was originally intended.

Ghostbusters was very well paced. Gozer was introduced when they first start busting ghosts and they came back to it in between other ghosts but that plot point is not developed until the end. We get to see the Ghostbusters become celebrities without the ghosts becoming too daunting. Then we see why these guys are perfect for the job of taking down a demon.

Often times in comedies, large special effects take focus away from the jokes, but not in this movie. The special effects work well in the film and actually add to the comedy. Some funny gags come from the special effects. I mean, they were responsible for Slimer after all.

No matter how old you are, you will enjoy Ghostbusters. Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis are a great comedy team. Although Rick Moranis steals the show with his performance, an incredible feat given the rest of the cast. He is so energetic and plays the socially awkward neighbor perfectly. Excellent pacing and special effects only add to the experience. So in the words of Ray Parker, Jr., “Who ya gonna call?”

Rating
4.5/5

Also check my review for the sequel, Ghostbusters 2.

Trailer

Cast & Crew
Ivan Reitman – Director
Dan Aykroyd – Writer
Harold Ramis – Writer
Elmer Bernstein – Composer

Bill Murray – Dr. Peter Venkman
Dan Aykroyd – Dr. Raymond Stantz
Harold Ramis – Dr. Egon Spengler
Sigourney Weaver – Dana Barrett
Rick Moranis – Louis Tully
Annie Potts – Janine Melnitz
Ernie Hudon – Winston Zeddmore
William Atherton – Walter Peck
David Margulies – Mayor
Slavitza Jovan – Gozer
Paddi Edwards – Gozer (voice)