Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Documentary (2019 Film) Review

To celebrate the film's twentieth anniversary, the team behind the Honest Trailers has produced a documentary about "Galaxy Quest."

"Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Documentary" chronicles the making and impact of the 1999 cult classic, showing how the doomed-to-fail film succeeded against all odds.

"Never Surrender" features many interviews from the cast and crew of "Galaxy Quest," including stars Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Sam Rockwell, Tony Shalhoub, Daryl Mitchell, and Justin Long. Along with them, there are additional interviewees, featuring Wil Wheaton, Brent Spiner, Greg Berlanti, Paul Scheer, and Damon Lindelof.

Jack Bennett directed "Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Documentary,” while Roth Cornet, Max Dionne, and Katelyn Howes produced the film. Fathom Events distributed "Never Surrender" through Screen Junkies and FANDOM.

Overall Thoughts

"Never Surrender" reveals insider knowledge about the making of "Galaxy Quest" through many members of the film's cast and crew. While the details are fascinating, what's particularly entertaining about the interviews is that they aren't too formalized. The interviews are fun, relaxed, and you sense the camaraderie between each interviewed cast and crew member, though they don't share the same space. Actors like Tim Allen and Sigourney Weaver are so delightful just being themselves, and it's the involvement of most of the original cast members that are among one of the film's best qualities.

Like the movie in question, “Never Surrender” balances humor and drama nimbly, without being cluttered or otherwise confused. One minute, director Dean Parisot's sharing a joke and the next, the topic is a set fire that occurred during filming, but even that also has a slight comedic tone to it. Every bit of the structure works. Although it’s relatively short, the film’s packed with so much material that it still runs at a steady pace. One thing I took notice of is the cutting between different interviews, which is used to emphasize the emotion in the discussion, be it humor or sadness.

More than anything else, "Never Surrender" is a celebration of pop culture fandom, capturing the fan experience better than any documentary before it. The segments featuring various "Galaxy Quest" fans are enjoyable in its realness and reliability. While you yourself may not be on-screen, your passion is represented accurately through another, whether it's a cosplayer or a filmmaker. In showcasing the history of "Galaxy Quest," the film contrasts early fandom with fandom today, showing how innovations like the Internet have improved one's ability to socialize with other fans who share similar views that you do.

"Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Documentary" is a special love letter to fans, similar to what the 1999 film was and continues to be. This filmmaking team has made a documentary that provides an insightful look at the making of "Quest" while commemorating pop culture fandom. It has comedic behind-the-scenes details, a tearful tribute to star Alan Rickman, and much more. As a "Galaxy Quest" fan, "Never Surrender" is exactly the kind of documentary that I would've made.

Rating: ★★★★

Conclusion

Because it had a one-night-only run in theaters, you'll have to wait to see "Never Surrender: A Galaxy Quest Documentary" until it becomes available to rent or buy on December 17. When it's released, I cannot recommend more that you give it a watch. Until then, I suggest watching or rewatching “Galaxy Quest." It's one of the greatest science-fiction films you'll see.

This has been my review of “Never Surrender." I hope you enjoyed it. Have you seen the film? If you have, share your thoughts in the comments below. Should you feel inclined, recommend a film for me to review next. Thank you for reading, I'm Dallin, your resident film fanatic, and I'll return soon with another review.