The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)

Though the title would have never, even in a million years, convince me to watch The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as it sounds to me like some dumb movie, I've seen enough pics of Sam Rockwell rocking that wavy blonde hair and that gorgeous ginger beard to convince me to give it a chance. 

Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) is a British everyman who wakes up one day only to find his house is going to be demolished. But that's not all. His friend Ford (Mos Def) shows up, reveals that he is an alien and announces that the Earth will be destroyed in 12 minutes. And guess what, that's exactly what happens: an alien species, the Vogons, demolish the Earth to build an intergalactic motorway. Ford saves Arthur just in time, catching a ride on a spaceship, and they embark on a galactic adventure. 

I've never seen/read any of the formats Douglas Adams's series was adapted to --according to Wikipedia, there are novels, comic books, a TV series and a videogame, and it all started as a radio show-- so I don't know how faithful to the source material the film was, but it didn't make a lot of sense.

Let me explain that. The plot is non-existent, there is just a lot of stuff happening whose only thing in common is the characters, plots are just started and left unresolved, and a lot of time is wasted on a subplot --the capture and rescue of Trillian-- that has no relevance whatsoever to that the thing resembling a plot. 

In spite of the terribly lazy writing, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is interesting, engaging, entertaining and fun. It's no Rear Window (I'm mentioning this because I rewatched it a few days before watching this one), but it still keeps you glued to the screen. The sloppy writing, its leaving all the plot unfinished, is what makes the film kind of unpredictable and enjoyable. 

Buena Vista Pictures
The characters are pretty shallow and underdeveloped, and, just like the subplots, some of them are thrown in for no apparent reason. But at least they have motivations which make them more interesting. 

That and the cast, of course. Each member of the cast did an excellent job. Martin Freeman is once again the everyman but he is funny and convincing as Arthur. Zooey Deschanel is great as the funny, brilliant and adorable Trillian and the romance between her character and Freeman's works nicely. Mos Def does good as Ford and Bill Nighy gives a quite funny performance. The standout, however, is Sam Rockwell. He is clearly having a lot of fun playing the kind of hippie, self-centred, eccentric President of the Galaxy Zaphod Beeblebrox, and he makes you have fun too. And that charisma!

As for the jokes, not always they make sense, like they don't feel in the right context if that makes any sense, but the lines work and made me laugh. Surely can't complain about that. At last, though they are overused, the special effects are good. 

12 comments :

  1. It's an alright film that has its moments. My favorite thing about is Alan Rickman as the voice of Marvin the Paranoid Android. I really connected with that character.

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  2. I have yet to see the movie and had no idea Sam Rockwell is in it but I loved the British TV show which was cheap on sets and effects but great in writing. I love the robot who is asked to figure out the meaning of life and finally give the response...42.

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  3. My husband loves this movie, I've never been crazy about it but it's a decent watch. And Rockwell is great as always.

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    1. I'm sorry to hear that. But at least there's Rockwell :)

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  4. This one is just alright for me. I actually couldn't finish it because it's quite long and I don't like how it looks, and I wasn't appreciating the humour, and the story made no sense like you said, so all combined, I feel asleep. Rockwell is great though, and I always enjoy watching Freeman.

    I don't think I got to Bill Nighy's part?? I really like him, so maybe I'll finish the movie.

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    1. Bill Nighy is in the final part of the film and he's awesome, as always.

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    2. Everything should star Nighy :)

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    3. True. I'm (re)watching The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for him haha

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  5. Nice review! I always say that this is an underrated movie, but to be honest, I just realized I only watch bits and pieces. Certain moments make me laugh, and I love the opening, but I don't really pay attention to all of it. lol

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    1. Though I enjoyed all of it, I agree that some moments are more fun than others.

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