20 works of upbeat science fiction to brighten your day

14. Galaxy Quest

Sometimes, your main characters need to be losers. Yes, each and every one of them. That sounds like a recipe for disaster, but, in the right hands, a ragtag team of misfits and layabouts might just work. It certainly did for Galaxy Quest, the 1999 film that has become something of a cult hit. For all that it parodies sci-fi behemoth Star Trek, Trekkies have especially taken this irreverent and ultimately affirming movie under their wing.

The film centers on the cast members of cult sci-fi series Galaxy Quest. Like many actors from famous science fiction shows, they spend a fair amount of their time heading to fan conventions and promotions. That doesn’t mean they’re happy about it, however. Series lead Jason Nesmith (Tim Allen) is kind of a jerk about the whole thing, though he gets the most satisfaction from fans’ attention.

Everyone else resents his attitude and their legacy on the show. Gwen DeMarco (Sigourney Weaver) wishes she was less of a token female character, while Alexander Dane (Alan Rickman) moans about how he studied at a real acting school.

It all becomes more urgent, however, when actual aliens pick them up. These beings, known as the Thermians, don’t understand that Galaxy Quest is a work of fiction. Rather, they think that Nesmith and his “crew” are actual space adventurers. Even worse, the Thermians are hoping that the “crew” will be able to help them defeat an evil alien warlord.

There is plenty of fish-out-of-water humor that works surprisingly well, thanks to a tight script and great acting (especially from the fantastic Alan Rickman). Towards the end of the movie, even Nesmith has to admit that he’s invested in the plight of the Thermians. It’s all deeply satisfying.