The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
Directed by: Garth Jennings
Written by: Douglas Adams and Karey Kirkpatrick
Based on the book by Douglas Adams.
Cast:
Arthur Dent – Martin Freeman
Ford Prefect – Mos Def
Tricia MacMillan/Trillian – Zooey Deschanel
Zaphod Beeblebrox – Sam Rockwell
Marvin – Warwick Davis (voiced by Alan Rickman)
The Guide – Stephen Fry
Basic plot – on the day that Arthur Dent’s house is due to be demolished for a bypass, the Earth is itself destroyed to make way for a hyperspace expressway. Fortunatly for Arthur, his friend Ford turns out to be a field researcher for the eponymous Guide.
I have been waiting for this film for so long now. When something is this hyped, it is easy for it to fail. Fortunatly, this didn’t let me down.
The cast are brilliant (yes, even Mos Def, those of you who doubted him). While Freemans portrayal of Arthur isn’t a million miles away from Tim in The Office, they are kinda similar characters anyway. And Stephen Fry sparkles as the Guide, giving the role just the right amount of informative and irreverent.
The opening of the film did surprise me (it’s a showtune, of all things) but this, along with the other changes, are in keeping with the spirit of H2G2. Which is the main thing. Those looking for a faithful adaptation of the book will be disapointed. But then, those looking for a faithful adaptation of the book are missing the point.
The special effects were well done. The look of the Guide entries were a masterful updating of the version in the TV series. The new version of the opening titles (including Flight of the Sorcerer by The Egales) made me more excited than a 27 year old should be. As did the appearance of the Marvin from the TV series.
So, all in all, don’t panic. And keep watching the end credits.
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