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Review
Archives
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Today's
Date is:
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Galaxy
Quest
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Reviewed
by: |
Rachel
Hughes |
| Genre: |
Comedy
|
| Video: |
Anamorphic
Widescreen 2.35:1 |
| Audio: |
Dolby
Digital 5.1 Surround |
| Language: |
English,
Thermian |
| Subtitle: |
English
|
| Length: |
1hr
42 mins |
| Rating: |
PG |
| Release
Date: |
11-00 |
| Studio: |
Dreamworks |
| Commentary:
|
No
|
| Documentaries:
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No |
| Featurettes:
|
10-minute
featurette "On Location in Space" |
| Filmography/Biography:
|
Available
for all major actors and main supporting actors |
|
Interviews: |
Brief
interviews with the cast in the "On Location In Space" featurette.
Interviews for crew of the NSA Protector can also be seen in
the Cast Bios. On top of the first page of the written bio is
a picture of a piece of film. Select that and you will be able
to view the 2-3 minute interviews. |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
Contains
theatrical trailer of "Galaxy Quest as well as Sneak Preview
trailers for "Chicken Run," "The Road to El Dorado" and "Road
Trip" |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
7
different scenes |
| Music
Video: |
None |
| Other:
|
Production
notes are available inside the jacket cover of the DVD and can
also be accessed through the special features page. |
| Cast
and Crew: |
Tim Allen,
Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, Sam Rockwell,
Daryl Mitchell and Robin Sachs |
| Screenplay
by: |
David Howard
& Robert Gordon |
| Produced
by: |
Mark Johnson |
| Directed
By: |
Dean Parisot |
| Music: |
David Newman |
| The
Review: |
You
need not have been raised watching "Star Trek" to thoroughly
enjoy this movie, but it would definitely help. "Galaxy Quest"
offers a hilarious send up of the entire science fiction genre.
The opening scene of the Science Fiction Conventions shows that
the production team did its homework. The rabidness of the fans
and their attention to minute details that no in their right
mind would pay attention to, might be hard for some people to
watch, but that is probably because it hit too close to home.
The story opens with the crew of the NSEA Protector of the cult
television show "Galaxy Quest" almost 20 years after their show
has been canceled. Their careers did not take off the way they
had hoped. They are now forced to attend conventions and electronic
store openings. However distant beings, Thermians, have been
receiving transmissions of the show, which they believe are
historical documents. They in turn base their entire culture
on the show. When they are threatened by the evil Sarris bent
on wiping out all the Thermians they turn to the only people
they know who can help them; the crew of the NSEA Protector.
The cast could not have been better chosen. Tim Allen began
his space career being the voice of Buzz Lightyear in "Toy Story."
He easily translated this into the role of Commander Peter Quincy
Taggart, which is a great blend of Captain Kirk and Captain
Picard. After seeing Sigourney Weaver playing the tough as nails
Ripley in the "Alien" series it was wonderful to be reminding
of her incredible comic timing. Alan Rickman was delightful
as the great British stage actor reduced to being a typecast
rubber prosthetic wearing alien who is most recognized by one
single line which he is forced to repeat over and over again.
The rest of the cast is compiled of both wonderful television
actors from Just Shoot Me to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as well
as some fresh new talent. "Galaxy Quest" captures the essence
of what the original Star Trek was meant to be; a morality play
set in outer space. This is reflected by the state of happiness
and trusting nature of the Thermians who have modeled their
society on the lessons of friendship, loyalty, and teamwork
demonstrated in the "historical documents". This however is
juxtapose with the way the crew interacts in reality. They resent
each other, they aren't friends and they just don't like each
other. Yet when they are forced to play their own parts for
real they discover not only what each of them are capable of
individually, but also how effectively they can work together
as team, and how valuable each one is. |
| Image
and Sound |
This
is one of the great things about DVD's; the picture is superb.
The special effects done by ILM are incredible and on this format
they seem entirely real. Space has never looked so breathtaking.
The sound comes through clear and crisp. The sound of the ship
"scrapping" out of the docking bay will make everyone cringe.
|
| The
Extras |
This DVD
offers a plethora of extras. To begin with there is an audio
track dubbed entirely in Thermian. While it is a highly annoying
language and I doubt anyone would listen to the entire movie
this way it goes to show just how creative Dreamworks were in
creating this DVD. On the Main Menu there is an option for Omega
13. If you try to access this before watching the movie you
are denied access. After you watch the movie it will then allow
you activate the Omega 13. Once you have selected the Special
Features option you are taken to where all the goodies are.
Before you choose anything there is a little scene with a Thermian
that will play out. When the scene is finished it will repeat.
Whenever you choose a special feature there are quirky scenes
that take you into the feature. "On Location in Space" is an
extremely brief behind the scenes look at the movie. It features
all the main actors with breif synopsis of the characters. They
also show some of the set design, creature design and set location.
With all of the special effects and brilliant costume design
it is a shame that there is not a more in-depth documentary.
The deleted scenes are hilarious. You have to stop and wonder
what they were thinking by leaving them out. Of the seven only
two of them would have taken the film in a different direction.
"Alex's motivational speech" in which Tim Allen fights the rock
monster is especially interesting because you get a chance to
see half completed special effects. |
| Commentary |
None |
| Final
Words: |
This is
a must own DVD. Even though it lacks a commentary this DVD is
packed with enough quality extras to make up for it. The deleted
scenes alone are worth the price. When you also take into consideration
the movie itself you would be hard pressed to come up with a
reason not to buy it. Hopefully for an anniversary special they
will come out with an edition that has a full length commentary
and a more in-depth behind the scenes look. Those would be the
only items needed to improve this DVD |
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