**George Takei Labeled This Star Trek Parody A ‘Chillingly Authentic Documentary’**
Over the years, Captain Kirk (William Shatner) and his starship team have been targeted with phasers set to fun in numerous ways. “The Big Bang Theory,” sci-fi comedies like “Futurama,” and, most recently, Netflix smash “Black Mirror” have all humorously referenced or made jests at the expense of “Star Trek,” with one particular film standing out more than others.
In 1999, director Dean Parisot brought forth a different style of TV space crew in “Galaxy Quest.” Featuring Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Sam Rockwell, and Justin Long, the film followed the original cast of a “Star Trek”-like show, who are reluctantly pulled into a mission to rescue an alien race that mistakenly believes them to be the genuine article.
In addition to being an enjoyable sci-fi flick, “Galaxy Quest” has gained a reputation as a cult classic for its flawless representation of “Star Trek” fandom and the clichés it spawned. Nevertheless, enthusiasts of Gene Roddenberry’s cherished series cherished the film, and even “Trek” icons commended it. One such supporter was George Takei, who made his debut on the legendary Enterprise as Sulu in 1966, and expressed a complex relationship with the film that he found hard to resist. However, another prominent figure in the franchise didn’t appreciate the humorous angle.
**Galaxy Quest demonstrated to George Takei that Star Trek fans will rescue Earth from aliens**
In a conversation with Syfy (via Questerian), George Takei shared his reflections on “Galaxy Quest” and its remarkable precision in portraying what it was like to be a star crew member of “Star Trek” and engage with the fans who admired them. “I think it’s a chillingly authentic documentary [laughs]. The intricacies in it, I recognized every one of them,” he remarked. “It’s a powerful piece of documentary filmmaking. And I truly believe that when we are abducted by aliens, it will be the true ‘Star Trek’ fans who will come to the rescue. I was in stitches.”
The film’s depiction of passionate fans was one element, but Takei also appreciated “Galaxy Quest” for its former television stars, who were called back into action and learned from his old screen partners in the process. “Tim Allen captured that Shatner-like swagger perfectly. And I laughed out loud when the shirt came off, and Sigourney rolls her eyes and says, ‘There goes that shirt again.’ … How frequently did we hear that on set?”
Yet while the film ticked all the boxes for Takei, it encountered a slightly harsher critic in the form of the man behind Captain Kirk, who didn’t connect well with the crew of “Galaxy Quest.”
**William Shatner found it hard to see Star Trek in Galaxy Quest**
When “Galaxy Quest” first debuted in theaters, critics applauded the sharp-witted sci-fi comedy for its treatment of a specific time in the genre. However, there was a Starfleet legend who couldn’t see himself or others from the original “Star Trek,” even if the rest of the audience could. “I thought it was very humorous, and I believed the audience they depicted was entirely genuine, but the characters they were pretending to be were completely unrecognizable,” Shatner explained, who has frequently voiced his opinions on creative decisions tied to “Star Trek,” including his character’s fate. In the former captain’s perspective, the new leader of these space adventurers was entirely off base.
“Honestly, I have no idea what Tim Allen was doing. He appeared to be at the helm of a group of actors, and I was trying to comprehend who he was mimicking. The only one I recognized was the actress portraying Nichelle Nichols.”
Regardless of Shatner’s critiques, “Galaxy Quest” has continued to be a favorite among fans, becoming almost essential viewing for “Trek” enthusiasts even if it wasn’t a part of that universe. Since its initial release, there have been various attempts to revisit “Galaxy Quest” through a sequel, or more recently, a potential television series (via Deadline). Who knows, though? With each new chapter of “Star Trek,” the Protector from “Galaxy Quest” could hypothetically soar once more.
