Galaxy Quest (STARZ add-on) (Exclusive Series)

Initial release date: December 25, 1999

Studios: DreamWorks Pictures/Mark Johnson Productions

Tagline: Never give up. Never surrender.

Plot: The stars of a 1970s sci-fi show - now scraping a living through re-runs and sci-fi conventions - are beamed aboard an alien spacecraft. Believing the cast's heroic on-screen dramas are historical documents of real-life adventures, the band of aliens turn to the ailing celebrities for help in their quest to overcome the oppressive regime in their solar system.

Cast

Tim Allen - Jason Nesmith

Sigourney Weaver - Gwen Demarco

Alan Rickman - Alexander Dane

Tony Shaloub - Fred Kwan

Sam Rockwell - Guy Fleegman

Daryl Mitchell - Tommy Webber

Enrico Colantani - Mathesar

Robin Sachs - Sarris

Patrick Breen -Quallek

Missi Pyle - Lailari

Jed Rees - Teb

Justin Long - Brandon

Writer(s): David Howard

Robert Gordon (A Series of Unfortunate Events)

Director: Dean Parisot (Bill and Ted Face the Music)

Rated PG for some action violence, mild language and sensuality (102 minutes)

There have been many comedies that have made fun of sci-fi franchises. The most famous one being the 1980s classic 'Spaceballs,' which parodied 'Star Wars.' In 1999, a 'Star Trek' satire was released called 'Galaxy Quest.' The movie was only a moderate hit at the box office, yet over the years, it has become a fan favorite.

There are quite a few moments in the movie that are very funny. I honestly think the stand-out, scene-stealing performance goes to Tony Shaloub, who plays the character Fred Kwan. His deadpan performance made this character more enjoyable and even more hilarious.

All of the actors had perfect comedic timing, even Alan Rickman (who also had some comedic moments scattered about). So, for a family movie night, take a look at this hilarious sci-fi satire.

'Galaxy Quest' is available on the STARZ add-on via Hulu, Amazon Prime and a few others that have this add-on. It's also available to rent online through Google Play, Vudu, Apple TV and Redbox.

Here are some interesting tidbits for 'Galaxy Quest':

• The scene when Tim Allen is in a men's room overhearing how the cast of Galaxy Quest are nobodies and all the co-stars can't stand him mirrors an actual event in William Shatner's life. He discovered the exact same things about himself when he attended a 1986 convention.

• Parisot and Allen have revealed in interviews that the original tone of the movie was much darker, with more scenes of violence. After test screenings, the movie was re-cut to emphasize the comedy and obtain a PG rating.

• Sam Rockwell based his portrayal on Bill Paxton's performance in 'Aliens.' In particular, his elevated fear of being killed, and his mental collapse upon seeing a motion detector that shows their enemy closing in on them.

• Although the late Alan Rickman hated sci-fi as a genre, he couldn't resist taking part in this movie as he found the material very funny.

• There were plans to make a sequel, but the untimely death of Alan Rickman on January 14, 2016 appeared to bring it to an end.

• Tim Allen performs several classic James Kirk mannerisms through the course of the movie, most notably the classic thinking position while seated in his command chair on the bridge.

• It was only a modest success at the box office upon its initial release, which Weaver, Parisot and producer Mark Johnson blamed on poor marketing at the hands of DreamWorks. In particular, Weaver said that the studio needed a family film in the Christmas 1999 slot to go up against Sony's 'Stuart Little' and proceeded to make edits in order to make this family friendly.

• Reportedly originally developed by Harold Ramis for Disney, but Ramis dropped out before production began.

• Tony Shaloub's character, Fred Kwan, was written and acted with the idea that he was high for the entire movie. This is why he's unfazed by the events occurring around him, and why he constantly is holding a bag of snacks.

• There is an oft-repeated claim that some American's in the late 1960s, believing that the sitcom 'Gilligan's Island' was a true story, attempted to organize a rescue for the castaways. A moment in this movie lampoons that story by having the Thermians believe that the show was true.

• 'Galaxy Quest' earned $7 million in its opening weekend, and its total domestic tally stands at $71.5 million - $90.6 million worldwide.

• The movie proved quite popular with 'Star Trek' fans. At the 2013 Star Trek Convention in Vegas, 'Galaxy Quest' received enough support in a 'Star Trek' Film Ranking to be included with the twelve 'Star Trek' films that had been released at the time on the voting ballot. The fans at the convention ranked it the 7th best 'Star Trek' film.

https://youtu.be/4kIavuY5NXw