Although I am not especially learned in the inner workings of the Trekkie universe, I have been informed by those in the know that 1999 has been a pretty grim year for the United Federation of Planets. The long-running Deep Space Nine was canceled, while Voyager, for incomprehensible reasons, was not. Although plans are currently being made for a fifth Star Trek series, enthusiasm for the sci-fi staple appears to be waning, and if the documentary Trekkies is any indication, this may be just as well. A fandom freakshow as frightening as it is amusing, Trekkies gives an extremist portrait of the Star Trek fan base that is still more entertaining than anything the franchise itself has produced in recent years. The arrival of Galaxy Quest -- a film whose entire premise revolved around spoofing Trek and its fan base -- seemed only to solidify Trekdom as a worthy target for derision.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

If anything, Galaxy Quest represents a form of vindication for the beleaguered Trek fan base, an anti-Trekkies in which fanatical devotion and vast accumulation of useless knowledge are not only a worthy pursuit, but an essential and often valiant one. In many ways, Galaxy Quest is the ultimate geeker dream. Its very premise -- the stars of the canceled Trek-like TV series "Galaxy Quest" are recruited by actual aliens to command their fleet during a galactical battle -- encourages us to forget that all-important mantra of It's just a TV show. This time, it's not -- it's real, and the Fans are the Heroes. Galaxy Quest is a Toy Story 2 for grown-up children; our favorite characters not only play when they're left alone, they depend on us for their very livelihood.

Fittingly, the film begins at a "Galaxy Quest" convention, where William Shatner (er, Tim Allen as actor Jason Nesmith, who played Commander Peter Quincy Taggart) is pursued by eager "Questarians" seeking autographs, posters, and, as it turns out, a Commander to fend off evil alien mutants. One of the film's best send-ups comes in the fact that, in the midst of freakily costumed and just plain freaky fans, Taggart cannot distinguish between his devotees and the actual aliens. He passes their desire to take him on their "spaceship" as just another form of loony extremism, and amiably complies, only to be whisked away to another galaxy. In another clever twist, the aliens cannot distinguish the actor from the Commander -- after receiving the "historical documents" ("Galaxy Quest" reruns), they have modeled their entire existence on the series. These are the ultimate fans.

From there, the aliens recruit the entire "Galaxy Quest" crew, including Lt. Tawny Madison (Sigourney Weaver), whose character's only ship function is to repeat what the -- English-speaking -- computer says; the Spock-like Dr. Lazarus of Tev'Meck (the hilarious Alan Rickman), and "Guy" (Sam Rockwell), a nameless extra who faced an untimely death in Episode #81 and thus frets for his life as the "expendable character." The movie plays up the sci-fi series conventions as well as the fans, and it functions best when displaying the utter illogic of the series. (Running through a space on the ship filled with deadly smashing devices, Weaver exclaims, "Whoever wrote this episode should die!") The sheer cheese factor of the genre is worked to hilarious effect as well; Taggart and his crew battle an evil Rock Man, green aliens that resemble homicidal Teletubbies, and the nefarious Saris, who looks like he escaped from a Best of Mystery Science Theater 3000 special -- or for that matter, 1960s Trek.

Underneath the self-mockery, however, lies an oddly affectionate story. Galaxy Quest taps into one of the most endearing aspects of sci-fi fandom, and one that fans and the genre itself are unduly mocked for -- the lack of cynicism. As satirical as the movie may be, it nonetheless touches on the optimistic, humanist sentiment lurking behind the cardboard sets and the tacky costumes. Galaxy Quest is a witty and wise assessment of an often derided genre made by people who know both the genre and the accompanying derision all too well.

DROOL FACTOR: Um... no. As was the case with its doppelganger, Trekkies, the pickings here are few and far between. Sam Rockwell and Daryl Mitchell pass inspection, and for all those (I pray) nine-year-old 11th Hour readers who have been voting for Haley Joel Osment as Hottest Guy in a Horror Film, the main Questarian will probably bake your rainbow.

GROSS-OUT FACTOR: Some fun slimy alien stuff, and Tim Allen shirtless.

STRONG CHICK FACTOR: As Lt. Tawny Madison, Sigourney does a terrific spoof of both Voyager's Seven of Nine and her own Alien sci-fi past.

-- Sarah Kendzior

Galaxy Quest is now playing.

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