|
| . |
|
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy 2005 |
Review by Jonathan Cornwell |
Directed by Garth Jennings
PG, 103 min. (thematic elements, action, mild language) |
 |
Starring: Martin Freeman, Mos Def , Sam Rockwell, Zooey Deschanel, John Malkovich, Bill Nighy, Anna Chancellor, Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, Helen Mirren
Producers: Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum, Jonathan Glickman, Nick Goldsmith, Jay Roach
Screenplay: Douglas Adams, Karey Kirkpatrick
Cinematography: Igor Jadue-Lillo
Distributor: Touchstone Pictures
Released: 4.29.05 (Wide) |
Rating:
 (out of ) |
The problem with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is that it relies on the foresight and knowledge of Douglas Adams' written work, therefore rendering it more or less
confusing and irrelevant to those who are new to the franchise. Although there are likable characters, situations, and in-jokes, there is little else to recommend about
the film; it's just kind of there, hoping that viewers will find something to enjoy in its meandering plot. This is a film that is about as harmless as a fly. Directed by
Garth Jennings and written by Adams, the story opens with an interesting premise - the Earth is destroyed to make way for an intergalactic highway - but then soons
become mired in mundane dialogue and a hokey final act that yearns to be put out of its misery. To be fair, I have not read any of Adams' work, and therefore cannot be
the best judge of its merit; however, as a stand-alone product, this is slim pickings to be sure.
Englishman Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) awakes to find his house the target of demolition (a foreshadowing of Earth's demise) to make way for a highway. His best friend,
Ford Prefect (Mos Def), who just happens to be an alien hiding on Earth, gives him a fortunate lift of the planet before it is destroyed by Vogons, creatures that look like
mutated Jabba the Hutts and dress like paper-pushing bankers. Now alone in the galaxy, Arthur uses Ford's handbook (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) to survive,
just barely. The comrades are rescued by Trillian (Zooey Deschanel), the only other surviving Earthling, who just happens to be the mistress of the President of the Galaxy,
Zaphod Beeblebrox (Sam Rockwell), a strange humanoid creature that has a hidden head underneath his chin that pops out from time to time. Also aboard the spacecraft
is Marvin (voiced by Alan Rickman), a somber robot that utters line after line of doom and gloom. Somehow the eclectic group finds their way around the galaxy and ultimately
to the source of Earth's true demise.
The real strength of the film comes from its good casting and performances; each actor seems perfectly suited to their roles. Freeman and Mos Def are completely believable,
while Deshanel is her usual confident self and Rockwell hams it up as the zany president. Rickman is given the best (and funniest) material in the film with negative jabs at both
himself and those around him. There is also a bizarre cameo from John Malkovich, which has to be seen to be believed. Finally, the always ingratiating Bill Nighy makes an
appearance as a galactic architect of sorts.
I think The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy could have been a solid picture with a little bolstering of a lackluster script. The sci-fi intentions of the original work don't
come across on screen, and the film more or less stumbles into parody at every turn. It doesn't really go anywhere, and the conclusion is a betrayal of the premise that
was effectively presented. I'd like to see another, more thoughtful film from this franchise, something that meshes well with its particular brand of humor.
© 2005 Jonathan Cornwell
|
|
 |
 | Masterpiece - Film perfection |
 | Excellent - A Must See |
| Good - Highly Recommended |
| Fair - Worth seeing |
| Average - Viewable, but not recommended |
| Below average - View at own risk |
| Poor - Avoid at all costs |
| Very poor - An embarassment to the film industry |
| Zero | Awful - One of the worst films ever made |
© 2000 - present ReelCriticReviews
All movie pictures are registered trademarks and/or copyrights of their respective holders
Their use on this site is for informational purposes only and does not imply ownership
|
