Cruise of the Gods (2002) Reviews

• Plane funny !

  acerymer2007-02-06

  My mate and I saw this film on a plane and were laughing so hard the stewardess asked us to be a bit more quite as we were disturbing the other people on the flight ! It is indeed a 'British Gem' ! Great performances from both Brydon and Coogan. It gives a far too close-to-the-knuckle insight into the mind-set of sci-fi fans and the stars stalked by them. Anyone who has ever been to a sci-fi convention will enjoy this immensely ( unless of course they take offence ! ) This film certainly deserves to be far better known than it is, as it ranks amongst the best of British comedy. I would encourage anyone who enjoyed The Parole Officer or even Shaun of the Dead to take the time to watch it.

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• Superb British Galaxy Quest!

  sarastro72007-08-01

  This is a magnificent movie. If you are part of sci-fi fandom, and love Galaxy Quest, this is the movie for you. It's about a convention aboard a cruise ship, organized by fans who love this (imaginary) '80s sci-fi show, "The Children of Castor". The actor who plays the main character on this show, Andy Van Allen (Rob Brydon), hasn't had an acting career since the '80s, and now works as a hotel porter. However, the Children of Castor fan club offers him two grand to attend their cruise convention, so he jumps at the chance to pretend that he's still a star. And pretend he does, even to the extent of ridiculing his fans, who in the beginning of the movie are indeed portrayed as the most pitifully embarrassing get-a-lifes. But in the course of the movie, Van Allen's co-star on the old sci-fi show, Nick Lee (Steve Coogan), who's still got a career as the star of a derivative American TV show ("Sherlock Holmes In Miami"), shows up, and to him it's all great fun. He loves the old show and the fans, in a nostalgic sort of way, because he hasn't thought about it in twenty years. Also aboard the cruise ship is nightclub crooner Jack Jones and a bunch of his fans, and when Van Allen talks to him about the fans, and how Van Allen just can't take the fans seriously, Jones tells him that "then you're not a star". But in the course of the next few days Van Allen does learn to appreciate the fans, and hence, like Galaxy Quest, the movie does actually vindicate the fans, no matter how nerdy and socially awkward they may be. This is an awesome movie. Especially if you know what fandom and conventions are like. The "I'm Changing! I'm Changing!" guy is inspired by actual actors in tiny roles on shows like the '60s Batman series, who are still, today, attending conventions because that's all they have. That's the only place they're even half-way appreciated. And the so-called "real pros" often find them pathetic and laughable. But this movie gives these people their due in a sensitive and touching way. Also the scene towards the end where they analyze the Children of Castor characters' names, claiming that there are all sorts of references and deep meanings contained in the names. The writer (who should know) says they are all just anagrams of curry dishes, but a fan tells him, "do you wanna be seen as a hack or a genius", and the writer, who's pretty washed up himself, reluctantly agrees that it's better to be seen as a genius. That's freakin' brilliant. This is a great movie, a real gem, which is apparently almost completely unknown (I mean, I come to this page and there are only 3 user comments?!) - what a shame. It's almost as good as Galaxy Quest. Not as fast-paced, not quite as entertaining, and of course without the expensive special effects, but it's essentially the same movie, thematically speaking. 10 out of 10.

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• When will we learn the lesson of Potato?

  dooferoaks2007-04-06

  A great film, from the writer of Preston Front, which is also a TV Series (well 3 of them) worth getting. The Extras are excellent, Coogans Runner gives an insight into how it was made, there is a complete script from an episode of The Children of Castor, and some good stills with funny captions, and the commentary is excellent. David Walliams is at his creepy best, as are the rest of the cast, and while poking fun at Sci-Fi fanatics, they aren't really the saddest character in this film, but you will have to watch! It's not bust a rib funny, but genuinely warm and the type of comedy that can probably only be done in Europe.

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• Another British gem.

  martinelsen2004-09-03

  I really enjoyed The Cruise of the Gods. This was a great example contemporary British humour. It highlights the many aspects of fanaticism amongst followers of SciFi genres and tacky TV dramas. I liked the fanatic who had actually written his own episodes of Children of castor. (I am sure that there are Trekkies out there that have done likewise with Star Trek.) Whatever became of the stratobow? . I want one!. Me and my mate Kris have watched this several times now and still find it fantastic.... this is the future we deserve.

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• rather nice

  tangochan852012-06-11

  I wasn't sure what to expect from the summary, but I wanted to watch something with Rob Brydon in it and I really picked a good choice. The movie played out like a fortune play where the main character starts at a certain level, either peaks/troughs, and the ends either just a bit below or just a bit above where he was at the beginning. It was a bit predictable in places though and sometimes you could guess where it was going, but not so much that things became boring and dull. Everyone did a fantastic job acting. I also like the integration of a cheesy 80's scifi show to help illustrate the points the movie tried to make about character.

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