After only four seasons, the sci-fi TV series Galaxy Quest was cancelled by the networks. However seventeen years later, the show has acquired cult status with fans around the world coming together each year for Galaxy Quest conventions. As an announcer bides time by hyping up the crowd, backstage the cast members are hopping mad over the tardiness of one Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen). Jason is the egomaniacal star who played the "commander" on the series and has always been a fan favorite through the years. Jason is running late because he is doing yet another appearance on his own. After the cast has a few words to say to Jason, Sir Alexander Dane / Dr. Lazarus (Alan Rickman), Gwen DeMarco / Lieutenant Tawny Madison (Sigourney Weaver), Fred Kwan / Tech Sergeant Chen (Tony Shalhoub) and Tommy Webber / Lieutenant Laredo (Daryl Mitchell) finally make their big appearance to the eagerly waited fans. Jason’s appearance easily gets the biggest applause and he happily caters to the crowd. While signing autographs he is approached by a group that claims to be extraterrestrial beings called “Thermians” whom have all come to ask for the crews help. Jason thinking they are his gig for tomorrow brushes them off and tells them to send a limo for the morning. After signing autographs for a while, Jason takes a washroom break and over hears two patrons railing on what a moron he is and how even his fellow cast members hate him. Jason spends the rest of the signing horribly depressed until he finally lashes out on a fan and tells him to get a life.

After a night of boozing, Jason is awakened by the same group of Thermians and assumes they are taking him to put on a quick little show. When he arrives he is impressed with the quality of the “sets” but still does not realize he is playing the role to save the Thermians from the evil reptilian Sarris (Robin Sachs) for real. It is only when the jettison him back to Earth in a gelatinous like substance, does he realize what he just experienced. Back on Earth he is once again tardy for one of the crew’s public appearances at an opening of a new store. When he tries to explain they just brush him off assuming he has finally lost it. The Thermians once again arrive requesting Jason and the whole crew’s assistance. The crew initially decline but soon realize a gig is a gig and follow. However, they soon find out that Jason is telling the truth when they all are jettisoned to the ship via the gelatinous substance. Jason thinks its all fun and games but they all quickly realize the war games are serious business and may cost them their lives.

Galaxy Quest is a film that has a nice balance of both drama and humor. It’s a film that pokes fun of the whole idea of fans and the washed-up actors they idolize. Finally for the tenth anniversary of the film we have a collection of bonus features to go along with the film.

The film has been digitally remastered and it’s a shame they didn’t release it on Blu-ray at the same time. However, one would suspect that is next on their list. The bonus features are all here for the first time to enjoy after the film.

Historical Documents: The Story of Galaxy Quest is an almost twenty minute featurette on the making of the film that includes interviews with the cast and crew. Never Give Up, Never Surrender: The Intrepid Crew of the NSEA Protector is another featurette that clocks in at twenty plus minutes on the making of the film that includes recent and vintage interviews. By Grabthar's Hammer, What Amazing Effects talks about the work of Stan Winston and Industrial Light and Magic and all their creative efforts to make the film look go good. There’s also featurettes entitled Alien School: Creating the Thermian Race and Actors in Space. Sigourney Weaver Raps is a little short they shot for some one’s birthday and was filmed with them all in character. There is also a ton of deleted scenes worth checking out and an optional audio track all in Thermian.

The genius of Galaxy Quest is that everyone is in on the joke; the film isn’t as much a parody as it is an homage. The film is full of laughs from beginning to end and it works because the actors play it straight. If they were mocking these characters and their fans the film would have fallen right on its face. Why it never found as big of an audience like other big budget comedies like Ghost Busters is a mystery. If you haven’t discoverer the fun, do yourself a favor and pick it up in its Deluxe Edition.

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