I didn’t know anything about this movie, except for the fact that Alan Rickman was listed on the cast. That is until last October.
I was looking around the web for news on the upcoming Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit”,and I decided that I needed to watch some of the work of Martin Freeman (Who’s going to portray Bilbo- and just happens to play Watson on BBC’s Sherlock.)
Anyway, IMDB told me that he was the main character in “The Hitchhicker’s guide to the galaxy” IMDB also told me that in addition to Mr Freeman and the previously mentioned Alan Rickman; the movie featured Mos Def, Zooey Deschanel, Sam Rockwell, Bill Nighy, Helen Mirren, Stephen Fry and John Malkovich. Needless to say I was watching the movie that very night.
This movie is actually based on a book of the same name by Douglas Adams. The book is part of a series of five books based on a BBC radio show (Same name, same author.) This particular story in addition to the book and movie has been on TV, theater, and video games. It is quite the traveler… or hitchhiker. (Bad joke –wathever.)
So “Hitchhiker” is a sci-fi comedy film. The movie tells the story of Arthur Dent (Freeman), who with the help of his friend Ford Prefect (Def) Hitchhikes out of Earth, thus escaping the imminent destruction of the planet. Arthur finds out that Ford is actually an alien, and he’s about to find out a great deal of information concerning the galaxy. Ford gives him the Hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy, the best-selling book in the galaxy mostly due to the fact that it has the words “Don’t Panic” on the cover.
Arthur has to try to stay alive while finding a way to cope with the recent demolition by the Vorgons and his feelings the adventurous Trillian (also from Earth).
And so the quest begins. I could tell you more about the story, but I like to keep that aspect vague so in case you actually see it you can enjoy it to the fullest.
But this I can tell you. The hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy is a witty and smart movie, without trying to be so. It is full of what I like to call “British Humor” black humor,sarcasm, irony and a sense of impeding desperation that is just hilarious. The ridiculousness of the situations are great, the characters are diverse and they complement each other, from the reluctant outsider, to the ironic guide (narrator) to a deeply depressed robot and a crazy intergalactic president.
The story is not the most elaborated ever written, but is clever enough and entertaining enough. It mixes the idea of intergalactic situations and advanced technology, with archaic elements. I must admit that when I saw it there were some surprises and small unexpected turns (mostly because I had no idea what the movie was about,) and overall it is a really great ride. If you like science fiction, and british comedies, this is a movie that you’ll want to watch over and over again. So I hope you enjoy this review. So long, and thanks for all the fish.
PinkAiz 