Legendary playwriter/screenwriter David Mamet once wrote "The Godfather, A Place in the Sun, Dodsworth, Galaxy Quest - these are perfect films."
In 1999, SKG's 'DreamWorks' needed to launch itself into a higher orbit with feature-film box office hits - 1997's 'The Peacemaker' was their first non-animated feature film, and although a good film that did reasonably well at the box office, SKG wanted to put out blockbusters.
Katezenberg (the "K" in SKG) and screenwriter Bob Gordon read David Howard's Galaxy Quest script, premising the story would make a great sci-fi/action and comedy/parody film - Gordon knew it had to be toned as a loving ode to Star Trek and its fans without the hard-edge of most parodies.
SKG invested big bucks in the film's production team to ensure top shelf results on the par of the very best space films, hiring FX giant Industrial Light & Magic, and make-up expert Stan Winston.
Harold Ramis (one of the most successful 80s and 90s producers/directors of comedies) was also brought aboard as Director (at least that's the way it started).
The search for the right actor for the lead role of 'Jason Nesmith' involved sorting through a long list of action and comedic/action actors - several big stars wanted it (some didn't), but the likable and very popular Tim Allen became the favorite of Katzenburg.
Tim was a life-long Star Trek and Sci-Fi fan, so he got the nod and began putting himself thru rigorous fitness regimes to get in great shape, meeting (and later marrying) his head trainer Jane Hajduk during production.
Harold Ramis resigned as Director early in production, realizing that he was just not the right "voice" for this film. Coming originally out of National Lampoon, he was no doubt correct as that type of sardonic satire while very successful and perfect within his earlier films like Animal House, Groundhog Day, Vacation, and other SNL alumni films, would likely not be be the right touch for this one.
Dean Parisot (a life long Star Trek fan) was then tapped to take over. He loved the opportunity and his lifetime love of Sci-Fi and Star Trek permeates the film - if the director didn't "get" the importance of the Star Trek and similar Sci-Fi fan-connections to the film, it would likely have had the wrong tone to it, and would never have achieved its level of popularity (and could have been a disaster).
Casting of Galaxy Quest is one of the best-ever in any film. From lead to supporting, every actor seems custom made for their part and put forth inspired performances with broad audience appeal.
SKG pulled out all the stops, even utilizing Spielberg's advise and input as needed, and the actors gelled synergistically, producing excellent performances appropriate for their respective roles.
Galaxy Quest's success is largely due to the connection the actors made to their parts, and the film's overall high-entertainment value that connected with a large and diverse audience - Trekkies, Sci-Fi, action film and comedy aficionados, adults and children.
This broad spectrum helped the film achieve its goal of a Blockbuster, but it took time to get there...the film had modest theatre sales, but has continued to grow and expand generating phenomenal revenue initially in rentals and purchase, and continues in pay for view and streaming licenses, attracting new generations of viewers, and those who continue to watch it again, and again now in HD.
This film is better than any Star Trek TV show episode or movie - The key success factor was (again) the film's broad audience appeal, and achieving being a loving ode to the Star Trek franchise and fan base, while avoiding being a snide parody like 'Space Balls' (which was a low-brow low production value parody) - it's a fine line to walk and it did so perfectly.
And Galaxy Quest's engagement and fun factor is simply through-the-roof!
You do NOT have to be a Trekkie to love this film, but it you are, you won't be offended (there are now Galaxy Quest fan conventions).
Well-written, casted, directed and edited, perfectly-paced, with top FX, make-up and costumes, and across-the-board great acting, the film is fun, funny, exciting, memorable, and engaging, and a post box office success that continues to bring in profits...
Perhaps Mamet got it right...the perfect film.
No brainer 10/10
👍👍
In 1999, SKG's 'DreamWorks' needed to launch itself into a higher orbit with feature-film box office hits - 1997's 'The Peacemaker' was their first non-animated feature film, and although a good film that did reasonably well at the box office, SKG wanted to put out blockbusters.
Katezenberg (the "K" in SKG) and screenwriter Bob Gordon read David Howard's Galaxy Quest script, premising the story would make a great sci-fi/action and comedy/parody film - Gordon knew it had to be toned as a loving ode to Star Trek and its fans without the hard-edge of most parodies.
SKG invested big bucks in the film's production team to ensure top shelf results on the par of the very best space films, hiring FX giant Industrial Light & Magic, and make-up expert Stan Winston.
Harold Ramis (one of the most successful 80s and 90s producers/directors of comedies) was also brought aboard as Director (at least that's the way it started).
The search for the right actor for the lead role of 'Jason Nesmith' involved sorting through a long list of action and comedic/action actors - several big stars wanted it (some didn't), but the likable and very popular Tim Allen became the favorite of Katzenburg.
Tim was a life-long Star Trek and Sci-Fi fan, so he got the nod and began putting himself thru rigorous fitness regimes to get in great shape, meeting (and later marrying) his head trainer Jane Hajduk during production.
Harold Ramis resigned as Director early in production, realizing that he was just not the right "voice" for this film. Coming originally out of National Lampoon, he was no doubt correct as that type of sardonic satire while very successful and perfect within his earlier films like Animal House, Groundhog Day, Vacation, and other SNL alumni films, would likely not be be the right touch for this one.
Dean Parisot (a life long Star Trek fan) was then tapped to take over. He loved the opportunity and his lifetime love of Sci-Fi and Star Trek permeates the film - if the director didn't "get" the importance of the Star Trek and similar Sci-Fi fan-connections to the film, it would likely have had the wrong tone to it, and would never have achieved its level of popularity (and could have been a disaster).
Casting of Galaxy Quest is one of the best-ever in any film. From lead to supporting, every actor seems custom made for their part and put forth inspired performances with broad audience appeal.
SKG pulled out all the stops, even utilizing Spielberg's advise and input as needed, and the actors gelled synergistically, producing excellent performances appropriate for their respective roles.
Galaxy Quest's success is largely due to the connection the actors made to their parts, and the film's overall high-entertainment value that connected with a large and diverse audience - Trekkies, Sci-Fi, action film and comedy aficionados, adults and children.
This broad spectrum helped the film achieve its goal of a Blockbuster, but it took time to get there...the film had modest theatre sales, but has continued to grow and expand generating phenomenal revenue initially in rentals and purchase, and continues in pay for view and streaming licenses, attracting new generations of viewers, and those who continue to watch it again, and again now in HD.
This film is better than any Star Trek TV show episode or movie - The key success factor was (again) the film's broad audience appeal, and achieving being a loving ode to the Star Trek franchise and fan base, while avoiding being a snide parody like 'Space Balls' (which was a low-brow low production value parody) - it's a fine line to walk and it did so perfectly.
And Galaxy Quest's engagement and fun factor is simply through-the-roof!
You do NOT have to be a Trekkie to love this film, but it you are, you won't be offended (there are now Galaxy Quest fan conventions).
Well-written, casted, directed and edited, perfectly-paced, with top FX, make-up and costumes, and across-the-board great acting, the film is fun, funny, exciting, memorable, and engaging, and a post box office success that continues to bring in profits...
Perhaps Mamet got it right...the perfect film.
No brainer 10/10
👍👍