Image Courtesy of Amazon.com
Director:
Robert Meyer Burnett
Cast:
Eric McCormack……….Mark
Audie England……….Claire
Thomas Hobson……….Richard
William Shatner……….Bill
Jennifer Sommerfield……….Tricia
Rafer Weigel……….Robert
Patrick Van Horn……….Sean
Deborah Van Valkenburgh……….Marlena
Phil LaMarr……….Eric
The Movie
When Galaxy Quest came out in 1999, it was interesting to see Tim Allen spoofing the man behind a character meant to resemble Captain Kirk from Star Trek. One would almost expect it to be William Shatner spoofing the role of a man behind an iconic television character. Nearly a year earlier Shatner would put on a comedic masterpiece of a performance in the geek masterpiece Free Enterprise. Seven years later, with a sequel in the works, a new edition with some updated effects (as well as a couple innocuous additions) of the film has been released.
Free Enterprise centers around Mark (Eric McCormack) and Robert (Rafer Weigel), a pair of guys on the fringe of Hollywood. Robert is a film editor with a case of arrested development, spending his money on toys instead of rent. Mark runs a niche magazine while trying to become a screenwriter. Both are film geeks with fetishes for action figures and comic books pushing 30. Think Clerks, except with characters who aren’t nearly as pathetic.
Both have used Captain Kirk as their idol and was their imaginary friend growing up, and things change when they meet Shatner himself perusing adult materials in a book store. From there it’s several months following these two as Robert has a romantic entanglement with the ultimate geek fantasy girl Claire (Audie England) while Mark struggles with turning 30.
The thing that stands out about the film is that its audience exactly. This is a film for dorks, by dorks and with an amazing amount of references to pop culture minutia. Part of its appeal makes it a bit inaccessible to anyone who isn’t deeply familiar with science fiction, amongst other things. Everyone uses these sorts of references all the time, and they do know the material enough to seem like they would know what they’re talking about, but it can be tough as even the most dedicated person would miss a half dozen of the references that rapid fire by. If you know the references then you’ll have a great time watching this, but this isn’t for someone who doesn’t know a lot about science fiction..
The thing to marvel at is Shatner’s performance. Totally skewering his image as Kirk, Shatner’s limited screen time is marvelous as he pulls out his acting fastball. He’s a comic gem and does a fantastic job in a role that takes such a potshot at the image he has crafted for himself over the years. It’s an interesting take and a gutsy move by the man and it fits with the movie as well. It is a romantic comedy in spirit, but it contains a number of great references and moments that make it a good, if flawed, viewing.
Score : 7.5 / 10
The Video
Presented in a widescreen format with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio, the film has been cleaned up from its first release on DVD. The colors are a bit clearer, the new effects look sharp and the colors a bit more vibrant than before.
The Audio
Presented in a Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound, the film’s sound has been revamped as well from its original release. The sound is much clearer and better separated.
The Extras
Disc One:
Audio Commentary with Writer/Producer Mark A. Altman and Writer/Director Robert Meyer Burnett
Audio Commentary with Actors William Shatner, Eric McCormack, and Rafer Weigel, and Writer/Director Robert Meyer Burnett
Disc Two:
Where No Fan Has Gone Before: The Making of Free Enterprise is a making of featurette that was shot during the production of the film. One of the main features of this is how they were able to get Shatner to do the film. Originally written to be more of an imaginary friend than as the sort of messed up person the character became, Shatner wouldn’t do the film as the former and Burnett and Altman had written. Burnett & Altman, huge Star Trek fans, are very enthusiastic as they talk about the film and how they brought it all together. Running over an hour, the featurette showcases a lot of the passion the cast and principle members of the crew brought to the film. There’s some great stuff inside of it as well, as Rafer Weigel does a great (albeit quick) impersonation of Eric McCormack that is hilarious. It’s a terrific and in-depth look at the film.
20 Page Collectible Booklet is included with the DVD, including a dictionary for those who don’t get half of the references made throughout the film. It has some interesting nuggets about the film as well and is a quick, yet fun, read.
Cafe Fantastique is a pilot for a television franchise that was attempted to be developed by the principles behind Free Enterprise. It’s easy to see why the show didn’t take off as its four dorks talking about movies and getting drunk. It is an interesting extra and fits with the film, as this is the audience the film appeals to.
Music Video “No Tears For Caesar” is a full music video of the rap song William Shatner performs in the film.
Screen Tests of various actors for various parts in the film.
Deleted Scenes from the film, twelve in all, are included individually from the film. With scenes from the extended cut as well as scenes excised from the film altogether, there is some good stuff removed from the film that didn’t make it in.
Theatrical Trailer and TV Spot
Score : 9 / 10
