Galaxy Quest Blu-ray

Galaxy Quest

 (1999)

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Sci-Fi



They're not astronauts... they only played them on TV. For four seasons, from 1979 to 1982, the crew of the N.S.E.A. Protector donned their uniforms and set out on thrilling and often dangerous missions in space--then their series was canceled. Nearly twenty years later, the five stars of the classic sci-fi series "Galaxy Quest" are still in costume, making appearances at science fiction conventions for legions of faithful fans...but some of those fans have a little too much faith. The Thermians, a race of aliens from Klatu Nebula, have mistaken intercepted television transmissions of the show for historical "documents." Arriving on earth, they wisk "Commander Peter Quincy Taggart" and his crew into space to help them defeat an all-too-real and very deadly adversary. With no script, no director and no clue about real space travel, the actors have to turn in the performances of their lives to become the heroes the Thermians believe them to be.

For more details about Galaxy Quest on Blu-ray, see the Galaxy Quest Blu-ray Review

Starring: Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman
Director: Dean Parisot

Galaxy Quest Blu-ray, Video Quality

 


Galaxy Quest launches onto Blu-ray with a strong but visually dull 1080p, 2.35:1-framed transfer. After a window-boxed introductory that's meant to recapture the small-screen feel of the "Galaxy Quest" television show, the image opens up to a scope presentation for the remainder of the film. The scenes inside the "Galaxy Quest" convention take on a slightly hazy appearance, but subsequent material impresses a great deal more. Various shots that take place before the action switches to outer space often take on a crisp, deep, colorful, and sharp appearance that make for a solid, but not snazzy, image quality across the board. The bulk of the film, however, takes place inside the Protector where smooth metallic surfaces and a bland gray color scheme take away any opportunity for the film to visually impress. Combined with the plain gray, purple, and maroon crew uniforms, Galaxy Quest makes for one of the most visually uninteresting pictures in quite some time. Nevertheless, the transfer struts its stuff when it has the chance; the green aliens, led by Sarris, appear wonderfully detailed and textured; whether slime and sweat on their faces or various protrusions from both their clothing and their bodies, the enemy aliens make for the film's most impressive collection of visuals. Black levels are solid throughout, and flesh tones retain a neutral shade, save for the deliberately ghastly pale Thermians. Rounded out by a slight layer of natural film grain that's retained over the image, Galaxy Quest represents another high quality transfer from DreamWorks.

Galaxy Quest Blu-ray, Audio Quality

 


Galaxy Quest warps onto Blu-ray with an engaging Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. Though the track is disappointingly front-heavy during the opening convention sequence, it doesn't take long for it to engage "warp speed" and evolve into a well-above-average listen. The track does well to mix powerful sound effects, fine directionality, and aggressive bass throughout the outer space sequences; weapons fire penetrates the listening area, ships swoop from front to back, and various explosions pack a hefty wallop. One of the film's signature scenes -- the "chompers" that famously represent lazy writing that serves not to further the technical realities of a fictional universe but instead create a situation for false but dramatic effect -- creates a sense of panic in the listening area as the thuds of each metallic collision seem to crush the entire soundstage while the sounds of hydraulics are heard moving all about the listening area. Additional and far more subtle effects -- the consistent hum of the Protector's engines in the calmer scenes, for instance -- often do well to create a decent sense of atmosphere throughout. David Newman's (The Spirit) excellent score enjoys a fine clarity through the entire range, and dialogue reproduction never falters throughout. Galaxy Quest doesn't feature the most robust or crystal-clear soundtrack out there, but it does make for a solid all-around listen.

Galaxy Quest Blu-ray, News and Updates

• Galaxy Quest Blu-ray for November - August 24, 2009

Galaxy Quest Blu-ray, Forum Discussions

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