Bennett’s documentary dives deep into the importance of Galaxy Quest and how it spoke directly to sci-fi fans, geeks, and nerds by honoring and lovingly satirized why they loved sci-fi, Star Trek, and going to conventions in the first place. These fans include Damon Lindelof, Paul Scheer, Greg Berlanti, and film critic Scott Mantz, and then TNG stars Wil Wheaton and Brent Spiner talk about their frustration that this was not an actual Star Trek movie.
What’s most interesting about the story of Galaxy Quest is how it almost never got made and how close it was to being shelved. Harold Ramis was first signed on to direct and how deep into pre-production it got before he quit. Desperately hoping to keep the momentum rolling producer Mark Johnson quickly hired Dean Parisot to take over. Dean would take a very grounded approach to the story choosing authentic human reaction and emotion versus going for the joke. Not that Harold Ramis would have done this, but most agree it would have been a different film under Ramis.
“…forced the production company to make edits to get it down to the PG rating.”
There’s just so much history, fun facts, and nostalgia in Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Documentary that I’ll just leave you with my favorite part. By the end of production, Galaxy Quest was going for an adult PG-13 rating just missing the R. In its uncanny wisdom, the movie studio decided that this was going to be a children’s film and forced the production company to make edits to get it down to the PG rating. Which is the film we have today along with a very awkward f*ck from Sigourney Weaver. By marketing it as a kid’s movie, Galaxy Quest would proceed to tank at the box office, but miraculously find new life on home video, and the rest is history.
Fans of Galaxy Quest, Star Trek, conventions, and anyone who enjoys fun and nostalgia will love Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Documentary. Everyone is there to tell you what a great experience it was making the film and how it jumped started many careers. If you find yourself cooped up in your home for an extended period of time and for some unknown reason, Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Documentary is the medicine you need to perk up your day…after you’ve seen Galaxy Quest first.
"…what a great experience it was making the film and how it jumped started many careers."
