Regular readers of SciFiHistory.Net know of my fondness for what I call 'the perfect movie.'
Despite what others might tell you, I will always assure you that, yes, there are perfect movies. There may not be a lot of them. There may not be a lot of them that are properly classified as Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror release. There may not be many that -- in all honestly -- survive the test of time and perhaps mean even more to audiences today than they did back when they were originally released. But these productions are out there; and they continue to prove themselves with each passing year, refusing the vanish into the background of noise or fade away into the ash heap of film history. These films deserve to be celebrated, and they deserve to be recognized as perfect films by fans who keep them alive.
One such flick is -- most definitely -- 1999's Galaxy Quest which turns an incredible 25 years young today.
I don't believe that there's any need to enumerate the long list of reasons why I consider it a perfect film -- perfect casting, perfect story, perfect editing, perfect tone, etc. -- so I'll dispense with such activity. While I've only come across a small handful of genre fans who don't revere the project as much as most, I'll accept that there could be more out there. Yes, Galaxy Quest takes a few swipes at fandom in general as well as piling on just a bit about Star Trek's time as a cultural movement; but it does so with a knowing wink, never meaning to disparage stars or their followers but instead celebrating just how all of this admiration might look from the outside peering in. Dare I ask: "Haven't we all been guilty of adoring a franchise a bit too much? Maybe even a bit unhealthily?" It is what I is, I suppose, but I really don't think that Galaxy Quest meant for any of us to accept less of ourselves when it comes to being fans.
According to IMDB.com, the film first premiered on this day in 1999 behind the Maple Curtain up in the Great White North (aka Canada); and it then opened on U.S. screens on Christmas Day. If I remember correctly, I believe I originally saw it on New Years' Day -- with a wifey and a few college friends who were together for the silly season -- and three out of four of us just flat-out loved it. (There's always one in every crowd, am I right?) It wasn't as if our fourth smiler disliked Quest; I just don't think she caught all of the references, not being a Star Trek enthusiast in any respect. But for the three of us, this one was pure cinema gold.
Despite what others might tell you, I will always assure you that, yes, there are perfect movies. There may not be a lot of them. There may not be a lot of them that are properly classified as Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror release. There may not be many that -- in all honestly -- survive the test of time and perhaps mean even more to audiences today than they did back when they were originally released. But these productions are out there; and they continue to prove themselves with each passing year, refusing the vanish into the background of noise or fade away into the ash heap of film history. These films deserve to be celebrated, and they deserve to be recognized as perfect films by fans who keep them alive.
One such flick is -- most definitely -- 1999's Galaxy Quest which turns an incredible 25 years young today.
I don't believe that there's any need to enumerate the long list of reasons why I consider it a perfect film -- perfect casting, perfect story, perfect editing, perfect tone, etc. -- so I'll dispense with such activity. While I've only come across a small handful of genre fans who don't revere the project as much as most, I'll accept that there could be more out there. Yes, Galaxy Quest takes a few swipes at fandom in general as well as piling on just a bit about Star Trek's time as a cultural movement; but it does so with a knowing wink, never meaning to disparage stars or their followers but instead celebrating just how all of this admiration might look from the outside peering in. Dare I ask: "Haven't we all been guilty of adoring a franchise a bit too much? Maybe even a bit unhealthily?" It is what I is, I suppose, but I really don't think that Galaxy Quest meant for any of us to accept less of ourselves when it comes to being fans.
According to IMDB.com, the film first premiered on this day in 1999 behind the Maple Curtain up in the Great White North (aka Canada); and it then opened on U.S. screens on Christmas Day. If I remember correctly, I believe I originally saw it on New Years' Day -- with a wifey and a few college friends who were together for the silly season -- and three out of four of us just flat-out loved it. (There's always one in every crowd, am I right?) It wasn't as if our fourth smiler disliked Quest; I just don't think she caught all of the references, not being a Star Trek enthusiast in any respect. But for the three of us, this one was pure cinema gold.
Like so many of you, I've followed the news off and on over the years about emerging ideas to continue the story in whatever fashion -- I'm familiar that there was talk of theatrical sequels as well as an Amazon Prime series -- but ... sigh. I just don't know how you do that. Given the fact that one of the principle players has passed away -- a very key role -- I'm far more inclined as this point to just let sleeping dogs lie. While producers could always recast, I just don't feel that would re-capture the magic of this true original ... a rare perfect gem of a film that deserves to stand alone on its own merits.
As always, thanks for reading ... thanks for sharing ... thanks for being a fan ... and NEVER RETREAT, NEVER SURRENDER!
-- EZ
As always, thanks for reading ... thanks for sharing ... thanks for being a fan ... and NEVER RETREAT, NEVER SURRENDER!
-- EZ
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