We’re part of the #StreamTeam for Netflix and were compensated for this post. All thoughts are our own and this film really is awesome yo. With a happy grin when I checked out the ‘Recently Added’ movies on Netflix to see that Galaxy Quest was put up. It’s been 14 years since I saw it last, remembered how much I loved it and wanted to see how it held up in the first decade of the new millennium. Both of our children are too young to appreciate the film so I planted myself on the sofa and was relieved to find out that Galaxy Quest hasn’t aged too much. If you haven’t seen Galaxy Quest here are 5 simple reasons why it’s one of the best comedies or science fiction movies on Netflix now.
First off, you might also call it a science fiction-comedy. But to me, Galaxy Quest is so good that it defies that categorization and joins both of them separately. One could easily describe it as a documentary, as George Takei jokingly did, but that would put it in a third category.
The writing
Galaxy Quest starts quickly at a convention for the ‘classic’ show and never lets up. The characters are immediately established, but still change and grow during the film for various reasons. When it enters outer space the science fiction elements of the film take center stage which sets up another large component of the film, which is the humor.
The Humor
Lots of science fiction films incorporate humor to double their bases. If the film can’t get you with the action or sci-fi, then the humor will push them over the edge. That is one reason why Guardians of the Galaxy worked so well too.
Galaxy Quest is legitimately laugh out loud funny. It was LOL back when most people thought that meant Lots of Love. It doesn’t create laughs out of taking advantage of people or their weak traits either. It creates laughs from the friendships and the bonds between people, which make it even funnier.
It has heart
Given the humor and writing it seems logical that Galaxy Quest has heart. What was still surprising, even after watching the film 14 years later is how much heart it has. You really care about the characters. At times during my most recent viewing I found my internal monologue saying that I liked Jason Nesmith more, no it’s Guy, wait it’s Alexander. You’ll find yourself gravitating towards different characters too.
The cast in Galaxy Quest is spot on also. Everything, literally everything that I’ve seen with Alan Rickman in has been outstanding. Ditto Sigourney Weaver, Tim Allen, Justin Long, Sam Rockwell, Tony Shalhoub and everyone onscreen in this film plays their part just perfectly.
It’s respectful of the culture
Sure it’s a spoof of Star Trek and science fiction conventions. But after the initial set up, it’s the fans of the original show, their intelligence and knowledge of things that ultimately save the day. When the ship crash lands at the end of the movie you’ll get chills because of how the heart, humor and respectful the film is of its audience.
It’s rated PG
OK, it wasn’t always rated PG. After it was initially shot the film was much darker and earned an “R” rating. Galaxy Quest was edited to accentuate the humor which earned it a PG rating. The film as it stands is great, family viewing for ages 7 and up. Parents will have to explain elements of the film because of the fact that a show was cancelled, but is popular on the con circuit.
There is some science fiction violence and semi-scary aliens. There is one scene where Nesmith is angry and curses, drinks alcohol and that is the worst content in the film. If your child is 7, loves to laugh, likes science, sci-fi or likes to see you laugh then Galaxy Quest is still worth watching.
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