Released in 2004, this Star Trek/Star Wars/ all things Sci-fi spoof is enjoyable for most Sci-fi nerds like myself. The idea for this film started as skits in the comedy show “Bullyparade” in much the same way Wayne’s World was brought to us by Saturday Night Live. Traumschiff Surprise often finds itself on LGBT movie lists, as the three main characters are gay men, which is a topic emphasized throughout.
We begin in the present (a play on many modern war movies) and are soon transported to a view of the future onto a spaceship. For those who don’t speak German, the title itself is a play on the original Star Trek’s German title: Raumschiff Enterprise. We then meet the council, who are in danger against Jens Maul and his soldiers for some Star Wars influence. Time travel is accomplished with an everyday object and hilarity ensues.
Being over a decade old now, I’ve this film on DVD on sale for 1 Euro. I say – if you find it under 5, get it! It is the most requested film in my German classes. Often, my teenage students request “Spaceballs in German” (which I also own), but I prefer playing authentic German film in class whenever possible. So I give them this as a counteroffer. For many who requested the Mel Brooks version, they find a new favourite comedy in the German one.
This film does include PG-13 level humour, including visual humour.