Reviews

DVD

Galaxy Quest: Deluxe Edition *** 1/2 (3 1/2 stars)

Starring Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman. Directed by Dean Parisot. Released by Dreamworks Video. $14.95.

With a renewed and reinvigorated Star Trek blasting off of movie screens everywhere, what better time to revisit the gentle but hilarious Trek parody, 1999's Galaxy Quest? Apparently, Dreamworks thought the same, taking the opportunity to release this deluxe edition. To adapt a catchphrase from Dr. Lazarus (Alan Rickman): "By Grabthar's hammer, this is good news."

The movie follows the erstwhile cast of the TV classic Galaxy Quest. Even though the show's been off the air for years, its fans refuse to let the show die. That's left the Galaxy Quest cast in a sort of netherworld, unable to get real work but always able to make an appearance at a convention or fan gathering. Not that they enjoy such meetings; in fact, they tend to act pretty surly. But a buck's a buck.

The parody of Galaxy Quest is pitch-perfect, and the cast has a blast. Tim Allen is the egotistical Jason Newsmith, who has let his portrayal of Commander Peter Quincy Taggart go to his head. Sigourney Weaver is the lovely Gwen DeMarco, whose Lt. Tawny Madison's sole job on the show is to look sultry (even her cleavage expands when she's in character). And poor thespian Alexander Dane (Rickman): If one more fan asks him to proclaim "By Grabthar's hammer," he might commit homicide.

Extras include a making-of documentary, a look at the special effects and cast commentary. There's even Weaver doing a rap video! By Grabthar's hammer ...

Also out today: : The great John Huston directs Wise Blood (Criterion, $39.95), an engagingly oddball 1979 adaptation of the Flannery O'Connor novel about a poor-boy Southerner (Brad Dourif) who decides the surest way to success and riches is to start up his own church, The Church of Truth. Witty, biting and more than a tad irreverent.

- Chris Kaltenbach

Music

21st Century Breakdown *** 1/2 (3 1/2 stars)

Green Day, Reprise

Perhaps the only thing more unlikely than releasing a rock opera in 2009 is that it's a rock opera written and recorded by Green Day. But such is the case with 21st Century Breakdown, which arrives in stores Friday.

The ambitious 21st Century Breakdown is a three-part rock opera that traces the story of two characters, Christian and Gloria, the yin and yang of singer-guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong's personality. Christian is a rabble-rouser with his finger hovering on the self-destruct button. Gloria is an idealist with hopes of remaking the world.