The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy The long-awaited movie manages to maintain the droll wit of Douglas Adams’ original story, yet gives fans something none of those previous incarnations had: a bit of heart
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy proves that some novels just aren’t filmable, although there does exist a slight possibility that those who are familiar with the source material might find something here worth embracing. But everyone else will undoubtedly be baffled and ultimately annoyed by the film’s refusal to take anything seriously, a problem that’s exacerbated by the emphasis on jokes and gags that just aren’t funny. Martin Freeman stars as Arthur Dent, a hapless everyman whose bad day (his house gets demolished) gets worse when the Earth is blown up by an intergalactic demolition crew. Fortunately for Arthur, his best friend Ford Prefect (Mos Def) is an alien and the author of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (a how-to book detailing the finer points of catching a ride in space). The two eventually wind up aboard a stolen ship being commandeered by the President of the Galaxy, Zaphod Beeblebrox (Sam Rockwell), where Arthur is stunned to find a girl (played by Zooey Deschanel) he had a crush on back on Earth.
While I enjoyed the movie, I wasn’t thrilled with it – although I get the feeling that this is the kind of movie fans will appreciate more and more with multiple viewings. I have to give Disney and Touchstone a lot of credit for not trying to “Americanize” the movie. I’m guessing that, because of its still very British sense of wit, this film version of Hitchhiker’s is going to leave many an American moviegoer scratching his or her head…but let’s just hope enough flock to this film to warrant a sequel. As with the novel, the movie essentially ends in the middle of the story – so it would be a shame if we didn’t get to see at least “The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe” portion of Arthur’s adventure on the big screen. So, yes, I had some problems with the movie, but it’s certainly more witty and fun than anything else that’s been in theaters so far in 2005. So stick out your thumb and hitch a ride down to your local theater for the biggest bang since the big one!