Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Review with SPOILERS!

[logisticslad]

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!



I saw Hitchhiker's and I was glad to see that IT DIDN'T SUCK!!! On the whole, I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as I did the radio play, the books, or the BBC series (or even the computer game), but it had mostly recognizeable characters and the right feel of the universe. Nevertheless, I don't think that it went far enough into the farcical biting satire that had made the previous incarnations so enjoyable. It set up many of the same lines, but failed to follow through. It also clearly made some choices designed to enhance its big screen appeal, some of which worked and some of which didn't. For example, the character of Trillian is much more fleshed out here, but the romantic triangle between her, Zaphod, and Arthur fell flat. I enjoyed the homages to the BBC version such as: keeping the same theme music, keeping a similar look to the Guide, and guest shots by the original Marvin and the original Arthur. I enjoyed Sam Rockwell's take on Zaphod. I loved John Malkovich as Slartibartfast and the whole worldbuilding scene he was in was impressive. While I didn't expect that they would cram everything into a two hour movie, I did leave wanting more of the wit of the original. It is set up for a sequel, but I hope they have the sense not to pursue it. I thought that the dolphin production number was one of the best parts of the show! Do stay through the end credits for a cookie or two.

Comments

[esprix.livejournal.com]

Before it came out I heard nothing but bad, then I was getting 50/50 good/bad reviews, now more people than not are saying they liked it, at least a little, so I'm looking forward to seeing it soon. :)

[yesthattom.livejournal.com]

I think the less you remember about the book the more you like it. I remember about 10% of the book, and the movie covered about 10% of the book, so I was quite happy.

People that have every line memorized (including page numbers) hate the movie.

I consider those people to be weird.

[ruthling.livejournal.com]

I was surprised to like it so much, must have been good vibes in the air. And the opening sequence is deliriously inspired.

I actually thought well of the happy ending, even though the originals were always so ambiguous, sometimes even sad. I often got the feeling Douglas was afraid to make a happy ending to the Hitchhiker books, even though his Dirk Gently stuff managed to.

[logisticslad.livejournal.com]

Oops! I discovered that John Malkovich did not play Slartibartfast in the movie. He played the Presidential Opponent who was a cyborg. Slarti was played by Bill Nigh (sp?) who was in Underworld.