Hitchhiker's Guide

ledhed

Ugh. Thought it was simply disgusting the way the story went. Douglas Adams must be rolling in his grave. He wrote 85% of it before he died-how they screwed it up with only 15% I'll never know. ugh I need a shower now

lomic

Spoiler warning... not really, but for those who like to go in knowing nothing...

It was decent, and easy to tell Adams was the writer for most of the movie, the problem was in direction (and maybe casting). Ford should have been a larger presence, instead of being upstaged by Trillian. Zaphod was way too obnoxious, it worked at a few moments, but not overall. Marvin was disappointing, completely one dimensional. And the doors! My god, the doors didn't get to say their lines, wtf is up with the sighing. Arthur was definitely the best of the bunch, which tended to carry the movie.

Most happy that they used Jim Henson's Workshop instead of CGI.

Nelson57

I was quite disappointed, but its partly my fault. Having not read the book, and going in with expectations of a Sci-Fi action movie, ala Fifth Element or Independence Day, only to find a lighthearted futuristic comedy that I found more silly than funny I left the theater quite unfulfilled.

I was equally disappointed with the sound in the AMC theater I saw the movie in. There were some scenes that seemed like they should have had a lot more punch and power in the bass however, it was sorely lacking. I don't know if that is due to the sound mix of the movie itself or the theaters rather average sounding system. A powerful sounding system would have been some consolation for me. Maybe I'm just getting to spoiled at home.

woodyjacobs

Man, that is sad to hear, although not surprising. I love the books, but could not imagine them translating well to the screen. Did anyone ever watch (or attempt to watch) and of the original UK TV show? Horrific.

Guess I'll have to wait for the rental.

polksda

On the other hand, what is a hoot, are the BBC Radio episodes of Hitchhiker's Guide. I've got them on CD. Roughly 6 hours all told. Very well done!

woodyjacobs

Oooh, have not heard those...I'll have to see if I can find them. A radio show like that, if done right would be great...still leave the imagination up to the listener. Cool.

ledhed

Actually, the books were based off the radio show (just a bit of trivia I guess)

Jstas

Saw this last night and this movie's main vice is simply bad editing.

The story was there and the chunks of the book that were there were pretty much verbatim. They did spend more time on subjects that get much less attention in the books but it was obviously done for a better screenplay. The problem with the poor editing is that the scenes jumped too fast and integral parts of the story that WAS in the film were left out and many in the theater who obviously didn't read the books were left scratching thier heads. The movie could have been a 5 star film if they gave it another hour and put the parts that were missing back. The poor editing though made this a 3 out of 5 star movie. The acting was relativly good and got the essence of the characters well. The writing had alot of potential and probably had alot more substance than what was there. The cinematography and soundtrack were first rate. Some of the scenes were incredible, especially the planet factory floor.

Overall, this was a good film ruined by bad editing. I was not necessarily disappoint but I wasn't overly impressed either. I don't feel let down because it is clear that Douglas Adams influence was heavily there. What is bothering me so much is that I know that this never would have passed muster for Mr. Adams. I can only hope that they put out an extended version for the DVD and it had better come in DTS. Oh, they left it wide open for a sequel too.

One thing about the jokes. My friends thought alot of jokes in the film were silly but they aren't really silly, they just require you to be paying attention and to have to think a tad about what is going on.

Demiurge

This is out today and I thought it was very good despite every post on this thread.

Cyclesberuff

I have not seen the movie yet probably won't but IMO you need to continue through to the Restaurant at the End of the Universe and even beyond that

woodyjacobs

I just rented this and enjoyed it. I thought the casting of all of the characters was very good. This had to be a very hard book to make a film of...and I think an admirable job was done. Also, the commentary track with the director, producer, Martin Freeman (Arthur Dent in the movie) and Bill Nighy was damned funny.

millerman 3732

I loved Zaphod I thought he made the movie


"I'll pull your splean out through your throat"
man, now thats comedy

Holydoc

Well I enjoyed the books but thought the movie just didn't hack it. It reminded me of the old Dr. Who shows. Muppet monsters and trashcan robots. I was also disappointed in the soundtrack that I thought could of been very exciting in places but fell short (I listened to both the Dolby and the DTS tracks).

Oh well. Glad it was a netflix movie and not one I paid to go see.

Driver

When i lived in Wales (uk) we had the tv series (obiously on tv) on bbc2 , it went on for weeks, and it was done really well, i loved the fact it looked so retro, (but for the time it was made i suppose that was the look), this series was brilliant. a part of my younger days i can remember.(although im not that old).