The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy started life as a radio comedy sketch in 1978 on BBC radio 4. Then transformed into series of 5 books spanning 1979-1992. A TV series in 1981. My first intro was through the tv series which i loved. So many years of have passed and fans have built up visions in their minds and in 2005 a feature film is made.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy stars Martin Freeman in lead role of Arthur Dent, from The office fame. American rapper Mos Def takes role of Ford Prefect and Zooey Deschanel of Trillian. All performances are fantastic, especially Sam Rockwell as Zaphod Beeblebrox. Zooey deschanel (who i love seeing in anything) is again great, Mos Def also does great job. So should be great right? meh.

Well, i was entertained but it was missing alot. Theres so much more, or just better stuff they could of featured. However my main issue is not with what they did or didn't put in, its a narrative issue. The relationship narrative of Dent & Trillian was added in as a hook for marketing and gives film something solid to base itself on. Thats where it fails for me. It loses it's charm. The appealing factor of Hitchhiker's Guide was it was all something about nothing. It was quirky, random and you didn't know what you were going to see or read next. So having it tied down with a (well acted) but poorly placed love story, just takes away some of the original intent of the story. It turns that story into an almost hugh grant'ish sloppy brit rom com, which goes against everything hikers was all about. Such as in one scene after Dent puts fish in his ear, in the book it leads to a convosation about existance of god and makes light of the issue, which is not in the film, shame in my eyes.

I could of done with more of the book narration, which from personal stand point was my fave part of the book & tv series. Again this was lost for narrative safety. Visually the film looks bright, bold and appealing, all costumes look great and keep in mood of the series by not resorting to CGI. What this movie did do well (while sacrificing artist orginial intent) was appeal to a new audience. It made a film where you didn't really have to have had read the book or seen tv show, it brought it back into public consciousness and for that it was a success.

All in all, its a fun film, i laughed, i had a good time. Just don't go in expecting alot of originality of the source material, expect a hollywoodized version with good performances and a nice (safe) attempt at a classic of modern pop culture