This is such a high concept, childish comedy, I cannot believe I enjoyed it as much as I did. "Galaxy Quest" gives several moments to poke fun at science fiction television enthusiasts as well as the actors and actresses they idolize.

The story follows a small cast of the TV show "Galaxy Quest," making rounds at conventions and store openings, led by the stage-hoggey Jason Nesmith, played by Tim Allen (TV's Home Improvement). However, Nesmith is abducted by aliens looking to have his TV persona save them from a ruthless interstellar conqueror.

Nesmith eventually gets the whole cast caught up in the blunder of trying to save this intergalactic race from dictatorship and destruction. The funniest part being, the race's entire technology was designed based on the four years of GQ television episodes received. The cast only has to remember how they ran their ship on the show, and they are able to save the day, if they can get along.

The entire picture is littered with little quips about resentments this cast has for each other, as well as fun poking at how many corny aspects shows similar to it were, i.e. "Star Trek" and the like. Throughout the second act of the picture, I caught myself belly laughing on more than one occasion, which is rare for me with these kinds of pictures.

The story is very stupid, but the humor of the show is very smart for most of it.

Included in the cast is a very, and rarely, sexy Sigourney Weaver (Aliens), Alan Rickman (Harry Potter films) and Tony Shaloub (Thirteen Ghosts), as well as a fledgling Sam Rockwell (Matchstick Men).

Offering the screenplay for this obscured work is David Howard, and it remains his only major screen credit. Director Dean Parisot maintained a hilarious sense of timing. His body of work mostly includes TV credits including "Monk" with Shaloub.

If you haven't seen this picture, and understand the melodrama of science fiction television shows, you need to see "Galaxy Quest." You should be pleasantly surprised.

Benn - Where's the Humanity?