Common Sense Media Review
Sci-fi comedy has violence, language, sexual references.
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Galaxy Quest
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 23 parent reviews
Based on 16 kid reviews
Kids say that the movie offers a mix of humor and adventure, making it an entertaining parody appealing to fans of sci-fi and Star Trek, although it features some inappropriate content for younger viewers. While opinions vary, many found the humor to be enjoyable and suitable for tweens, despite occasional references and violence that may be scary for some children.
- humor and adventure
- entertaining parody
- inappropriate content
- suitable for tweens
- varies in opinions
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In sci-fi spoof GALAXY QUEST, Tim Allen, Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver, Daryl Mitchell, and Tony Shalhoub play washed-up stars of a cheesy Star Trek-like show that ended nearly 20 years ago. When a group of aliens asks for their help, believing the reruns they've seen are real, the TV stars find themselves on a real-life replica of their TV spaceship in a real-life confrontation with a lizard-looking tyrant. But can they use their knowledge of past episodes to help defeat him?
Is It Any Good?
Sharply written and performed, this hilarious romp affectionately skewers TV sci-fi, its stars, and its fans. Galaxy Quest's creative premise leads to hilarious lines and situations that play on both Star Trek and the actors' hang-ups. For example, Rickman's Spock/McCoy-hybrid character stares glumly at his alien gill make-up in the mirror and murmurs about the time he got five curtain calls as Richard III. Weaver, who plays a counterpart of Lt. Uhura, repeats everything the computer says. And Shalhoub, as the spaceship's Scotty-like mechanic; Mitchell, as the smart child star reliving the glory of his youth; and Sam Rockwell, as the imperiled expendable officer, also deliver hilarious lines.
The fast, fresh script is full of humor, but its attempts to poke fun at stereotypes never really land. It is, however, a terrific premise that unreels in a tightly constructed farce that's filled with surprises. Perhaps the biggest one is that we really come to care about the characters.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about which TV shows and movies Galaxy Quest is spoofing. Is it funny even if you haven't seen the original titles it's based on?
What are some of the movie's messages? What do you think the characters learn along the way?
Did you notice any stereotypes in the film? Do you think the film challenges them, or plays into them?
How is teamwork valued in the film? How does Tim Allen's character, in particular, change to discover this?
Movie Details
- In theaters : December 21, 1999
- On DVD or streaming : May 2, 2000
- Cast : Alan Rickman , Sigourney Weaver , Tim Allen , Tony Shalhoub
- Director : Dean Parisot
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Middle Eastern/North African Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Universal Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Adventures
- Character Strengths : Teamwork
- Run time : 102 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some action violence, mild language and sensuality
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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