The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
I haven’t read Douglas Adams’ cult classic book series. To anyone who seems shocked and disoriented by that statement, deal with it. I’ve gotten a lot of funny looks from people at work over the past few months when I say that. This is the review of a “Hitchhiker” novice. This is the review of a movie (written by Adams and “Chicken Run’s” Kerry Kirkpatrick). It’s what I do. As a movie, I love the premise, enjoyed a great many of the jokes (verbal and visual), was impressed by the visual effects, enjoyed the characters, but wasn’t blown away as a whole. I can’t really pinpoint why, but I can say some of the jokes fell flat (namely, some from the previews), the story is sometimes a bit too obvious, and well, I just didn’t get that buzz you need to get from this type of epic, futuristic adventure. OK, maybe I can pinpoint some of what I was disappointed by. What was good? I got into the story, which centers around Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman, a perfect everyman), a mild-mannered Brit who is swept up into space by his alien friend Ford Prefect (Mos Def, charismatic in a too-limited role) when the Vogons- a bureaucratic race of aliens- arrive to destroy the Earth to make room for a new intergalactic freeway (coincidentally, Arthur’s house on Earth is scheduled for demolition for the same reason). They soon become hitchhikers across the galaxy on the Heart of Gold, a ship stolen by the galaxy’s dim, laid-back president (a goofy and giddy Sam Rockwell, doing a little too uncanny a Dubya impersonation than I’d care to see) and his girlfriend Trillian (an adorable Zooey Deschanel from “Elf”), who Arthur once met at a party…and blew a chance at a date with. In tow as well is Marvin the Paranoid Android, the most insecure, manic-depressive bucket of bolts the universe has ever seen, brought to deviously droll life in the movements of Warwick Davis (Wicket the Ewok in “Return of the Jedi”) and the vocal performance by the great Alan Rickman (an inspired casting coup), which combine to create one of the most entertaining characters of the year (to fully appreciate Marvin, you must give both Davis and Rickman credit in the realization of him- the body isn’t CG).
If that much of the story is interesting to you, I leave the rest- the bigger themes and meanings, the little touches- to you to discover for yourself. Oh yeah, what is the “Guide?” It’s the definitive collection of information all around the world, intended to be able to call up any and every little detail and fact anyone on an interplanetary adventure such as Arthur’s would care to know. The guide is called up frequently throughout the film to let those of us in the audience who aren’t familiar with Adams’ work- which has taken many shapes and forms over the years- so that we can navigate our way through the movie. It’s an obvious touch, but also one that helps engage you in the story without making you feel stupid for not getting it, and gives it a quirky sensibility that only the Brits seem to be able to pull off.
Gotta love it, and when the movie hits its’ marks, it has all the offbeat charm of the two most recent gems of the sci-fi comedy genre, “Men in Black” and “Galaxy Quest” (also with Rockwell). For instance, the idea of humans being only the 3rd smartest animals on Earth (you’ll never guess what’s first, and it ain’t dolphins (they’re only 2nd)). The main title song, called “So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish” (an early frontrunner for the Best Original Song Oscar if you ask me), is also a perfect example. Other examples of this sly, subversive comedy include: the pullout from the Earth when it explodes (you’ll wonder if the damn thing ever blows up it takes so long); the religious sect- lead by a subtlely hilarious John Malkovich (in a cameo)- that sees the universe as being created by God’s sneeze; the gigantic computer- voiced delightfully by Helen Mirren- that was created, and gives the answer to the “ultimate question” (what the answer is- as well as the question- I leave for the film to tell you); the story’s take on hyperspace, and what happens when you come out of it (it gives new meaning to the phrase “altered reality”); the place where planets are built; the identity of the most intelligent animals on Earth (I know what you’re thinking, and it’s not lemurs (this has nothing to do with the movie; just me being kooky)); the perilous- sorry, hilarious- traps that await our heroes as they try and save Trillian from the Vogons; and the God-like being played by the great Bill Nighy (“Love Actually,” “Shaun of the Dead”).
The thing you have to get about “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”- the film anyway- is that it is essentially a comedy (if you haven’t figured that out by this point of the review). It’s not much of an action-adventure (not much with the action). The love story between Arthur and Trillian is minimally developed at best (though both characters are engaging). And the science fiction isn’t really anything we haven’t seen before. But as science fiction, the film works, because it holds true to the basic ideas of the best of the genre, that it is about ideas, speculations, and holding up a mirror to the human race, and exploring our desires, absurdities, passions, and problems with intelligence and imagination. In the end, that’s really the only thing you need to say about Douglas Adams’ beloved concept. Don’t forget your towel, and above all, don’t panic.
