This article was originally published on beingtheremag.com, an independent music and film magazine that ran from 2004 to 2007. It is presented here as part of the Being There Magazine archive.
By Adam Anklewicz | Being There Magazine, October 2005
Label: Buena Vista Home Video
I’m not one to complain about a film not being the same as a book. Just like Douglas Adams (author of the original radio drama, the books, the BBC mini-series and co-author of this film), I understand that each medium must be treated as the medium it is. A film cannot be a book, so with that in mind, changing a book to suit the screen is different than changing a book so drastically that it is barely recognizable.
Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) is disturbed one morning to find out his house is about to be demolished. Surprisingly, this is the least of his problems as he finds out his best friend, Ford Prefect (Mos Def) is an alien and Earth is about to be demolished. This would give anyone a headache, but hitching a ride with the Vogon demolition fleet only makes matters worse and Dent’s experiences make for a great fish out of water story.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy is a book I read every couple of years. The humour of Douglas Adams is always welcome, whether it’s his five-part “trilogy” of Hitchhiker’s books, Dirk Gently, or the 17th season of Doctor Who (where he served as script editor).
Adams never wrote about heroes; his characters were able to get out of these situations with only luck, and perhaps an infinite probability drive. Even the ever-heroic Doctor was but a bystander in the Doctor Who episodes penned by Adams. This film version of The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, however, pits Dent against some impressive foes such as bureaucracy and mice and he becomes the hero… Even worse, the romantic hero.
I can’t however neglect what’s good about this film, and what’s good is quite amazing. The Jim Henson Creature Shop created aliens for this film that look and act a lot better than CGI ever could (this is more proof that Yoda should have stayed a Muppet). The Vogons are incredible looking and interact with the human actors at a level that cartoons or CGI cannot.
Perhaps the best part of the film is Alan Rickman’s performance as Marvin the depressed robot. The best casting decision in a movie with great casting, Rickman’s delivery of his lines is perfect and he turns this cute bobble-headed robot into the funniest character of the film.
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy is a good comic sci-fi romp, but it is a victim of Hollywood sentimentality. Though at least it might inspire more people to read the book.