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"Hitchiker's Guide" mostly harmless |
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Written by SHAWN FEAKINS
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Friday, 29 April 2005 |
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Any adaptation of a beloved novel is likely to be wrought with hand wringing and plaintive cries from the socially awkward fanboy gallery. I should know – I’m one of them.
Given that, it’s perhaps a blessing that Douglas Adams’ book is already so malleable from being adapted into a BBC Radio play, mini series, and video game that fans are often more forgiving of source material deviation than most geeks. | | | The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
|  Entertainment
 Art
Directed by Garth Jennings
Written by Douglas Adams, Karey Kirkpatrick
Starring Sam Rockwell , Martin Freeman, Mos Def and Alan Rickman
Rated PG for thematic elements, action and mild language.
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Perpetually flustered Brit Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) finds the ensuing demolition of his house paling in comparison to the destruction of the Earth by a terminally stuffy race of aliens (crafted by a very missed Jim Henson) to make way for an interstellar freeway. His close friend Ford prefect, played appropriately off-kilter by Mos Def, rescues Arthur from the imploding planet and hilarity ensues, including a terminally depressed robot (Alan Rickman) and a fiendishly self-absorbed President of the Galaxy (Sam Rockwell).
The love story is uncomfortably crowbarred into the movie, and after an initial scene with chemistry, the actors seem to know it as well. The story has only the whisper of a plot, being mostly a set of comedic scenes parked next to each other- and in this way it’s no different than Monty Python movies. Sadly, Disney manages to blunt the truly frantic haphazard comedy that Douglas Adams specialized in. Compared to the book, it’s a disappointment. Taken as a separate entity, it’s an enjoyable summer/pretty picture movie to watch and chuckle at.
Still, despite its flaws, there are few movies that would dare feature; a musical sung by dolphins, the cast turning into yarn and sofas, and frequent segues into definitions read in dry British wit. All fueled by a global conspiracy plotted by mice. Perhaps the best way to sum up the movie, and still remain true to the spirit of the dearly missed Douglas Adams is this phrase. “Mostly Harmless.” Powered by AkoComment 2.0! |
