It's a shame Douglas Adams didn't survive to see this film - in as far as film can do justice to the seemingly complex and random, yet deeply connected book, this film accomplishes it!
Critics who rubbished this film before its release, saying it was just a psychedelic swirl of mish mash clearly (a) didn't even bother paying average attention to the film and (b) hadn't read the book! I found the plot advanced at a perfectly acceptable speed, there were few totally screwball cuts from one scene to another - and any were in tune with the book and film plot anyway! This is not a film going to leave you coming out with a headache because you had to do something Hollywood makes you do like, 'focus' on the film. It was a fine comedy in itself!
MY only gripes would be with the cast. They were fine. Not perfect, just fine. Arthur Dent (Arthur Freeman) could have looked a bit more like he'd been ripped out of bed (the bathrobe looked to new), Ford Prefect (Mod Def) was probably the best portrayed, Trillian (Zooey Deschanel) looked like she was trying to be vapid, but failed (Kathryb Hahn from Crossing Jordan would have had that part nailed) and Sam Rockwell... It came as a surprise to me to read that Sam Rockwell was inspired to imitate the President of the US for his character was a bit interesting - the whole time I was watching him, I thought he was imitating Owen Wilson!
But, despite the minor character flaws of the actors, they were all working with a good script, good fx and the entire ensemble, both on screen and off, did a superb job of bringing Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy to the big screen! Certainly recommended for anyone who wants a comedy with a bit of difference!
Critics who rubbished this film before its release, saying it was just a psychedelic swirl of mish mash clearly (a) didn't even bother paying average attention to the film and (b) hadn't read the book! I found the plot advanced at a perfectly acceptable speed, there were few totally screwball cuts from one scene to another - and any were in tune with the book and film plot anyway! This is not a film going to leave you coming out with a headache because you had to do something Hollywood makes you do like, 'focus' on the film. It was a fine comedy in itself!
MY only gripes would be with the cast. They were fine. Not perfect, just fine. Arthur Dent (Arthur Freeman) could have looked a bit more like he'd been ripped out of bed (the bathrobe looked to new), Ford Prefect (Mod Def) was probably the best portrayed, Trillian (Zooey Deschanel) looked like she was trying to be vapid, but failed (Kathryb Hahn from Crossing Jordan would have had that part nailed) and Sam Rockwell... It came as a surprise to me to read that Sam Rockwell was inspired to imitate the President of the US for his character was a bit interesting - the whole time I was watching him, I thought he was imitating Owen Wilson!
But, despite the minor character flaws of the actors, they were all working with a good script, good fx and the entire ensemble, both on screen and off, did a superb job of bringing Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy to the big screen! Certainly recommended for anyone who wants a comedy with a bit of difference!