If sci-fi’s greatest rivalry is between Star Wars and Star Trek, then it’s no surprise that the realm of sci-fi parody’s greatest rivalry is between Spaceballs and Galaxy Quest. These two cult classics have kept sci-fi fans laughing for years with their comedic spins on the genre’s biggest franchises. Yet, once the laughter dies down, which outer space comedy lingers the most in the inner space of audiences' minds?
The stories are vastly different, of course. Spaceballs sticks it to Star Wars with a story about a smuggler Lone Starr (Bill Pullman), who is hired to rescue Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga) from the evil Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis). Meanwhile, Galaxy Quest features Tim Allen, Alan Rickman, Sigourney Weaver and others as fictionalized counterparts of the original Star Trek cast who get abducted by aliens that think they actually are the spacefaring heroes they played on TV. However, by looking at the films' critical reception, how they handled their sci-fi material and how funny they are, one can make the decision of which holds the title of the greatest sci-fi parody.
Galaxy Quest Is Critically Beloved
Looking at these two films’ box office gross would be a dead end. They both bombed at the box office only to develop a much larger following later on. However, critics had different reactions to the two films from the outset.
Galaxy Quest is certified fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a critic rating of 90 percent, while Spaceballs is rotten at 56 percent. In the year it came out, Galaxy Quest won the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, and Tim Allen won a Saturn Award for his channeling of William Shatner. The only award Spaceballs won was The Stinkers Bad Movie Award for Worst Picture. Therefore, it’s safe to say that most critics easily prefer Galaxy Quest to Spaceballs.
Spaceballs Mocks More Sci-Fi Tropes Than Galaxy Quest
Part of why Galaxy Quest is so beloved is because it's hyper-tuned to the intricacies of Star Trek. Every aspect of the franchise's mythos is referenced, from the doomed Redshirts to the behind-the-scenes sexism. However, that means the film is only focused on parodying that specific franchise. There are stray references to other franchises (the phrases "Klaatu" and "It's a trap!" are also uttered), but its jokes will most appeal to Star Trek fans.
Meanwhile, Spaceballs is far more liberal in its targets. Sure, it sends up Star Wars and the power of "the Schwartz." However, it also tackles the transporter system of Star Trek, the ending of Planet Of The Apes, the shape-shifting robots of Transformers and even brings John Hurt back to recreate his infamous Alien sequence. It also lampoons the technical and business sides of sci-fi blockbusters, from merchandising deals to Michael Winslow imitating the genre's famous bleeps and bloops. Galaxy Quest may be the most accurate to its chosen franchise, but it's Spaceballs that truly tears apart the entire genre.
Spaceballs' Jokes Are More Surprising Than Galaxy Quest
At the end of the day, a comedy lives or dies by its jokes. That subject is pretty subjective, but between these two films, one's memorability trumps the other. Both movies are incredibly funny. Galaxy Quest's script should be taught in film schools for how it balances comedy with character and action while also paying off all its character and plot set-ups. However, because of that, all of its jokes become predictable. The pay-offs are so clearly telegraphed that audiences aren't caught off-guard. When it's finished, audiences remember the heartwarming character interactions more than any of the jokes.
The same can't be said for Spaceballs, which was created by an Academy Award-winning comic genius. Mel Brooks infuses the film with gags that are not just quotable but unexpected. Who would suspect Lone Starr would "jam" Dark Helmet's starship with a literal jar of jam? Or who could forget the Spaceballs "combing the desert" with a giant comb? Even Tesla couldn't resist naming one of its cars "Ludicrous Mode" last year, though it mercifully canceled plans to go to Plaid. Spaceballs' jokes linger in the memory and always are good for repeat laughs. As funny as Galaxy Quest is, Spaceballs is the more absurd comedy classic.
Who Is The Sci-Fi Parody Champion?
Both films are comedic masterpieces that have delighted fans for years, but only one can be the best. Galaxy Quest's awesome achievement can't be ignored, but it's Spaceballs that is the seminal comedy classic. Whereas Galaxy Quest is such a convincing Star Trek pastiche that fans voted it the seventh best Star Trek film in 2013, Spaceballs is an equal opportunity offender toward every franchise and is super silly while doing it. It's one of the only movies that will attack any target, including its own home video release and potential sequels.
Critics may prefer Galaxy Quest, and they have their valid arguments. But Spaceballs fans still have "Spaceballs the flamethrower," so this debate is sure to stay heated for years to come.