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In all, there were five books in the trilogy of H2G2.
And there lies the dilemma. Five books in a trilogy you say?
H2G2? If you were already a fan of “The Hitchhiker’s
Guide” you know how five equals a trilogy, and you commonly
use the semi-acronym H2G2. But the uninitiated have conversations
like the one I had when running into a friend.
“Oh, wow,” he remarked. “You didn’t read
the book? I’ll bet you were lost!”
So, what of us who know nothing of Marvin the manic-depressive
robot, or of bureaucratic Vogons reading bad poetry? Can we
too find happiness in this hitchhiker’s galaxy? Mmm…maybe.
Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) thinks his world is ending when
bulldozers arrive to destroy his house to make room for a
highway extension. In a moment of supreme irony an alien species
called Vogons broadcast an international message to the people
of Earth to inform them their planet will be destroyed to
make way for a “hyperspace express route.”
Fortunately for Arthur, his best friend Ford Prefect (Mos
Def) is also an alien and possesses the ability to save the
two of them by “hitching a ride” on the Vogon’s
spacecraft, thereby escaping right before the world’s
destruction.
Breaking recent cinematic trends, director Garth Jennings
– whose credits to this point were music videos –
called upon Jim Henson’s Creature Shop to create the
seven-foot Vogons so his actors would have someone “real”
to work with instead of the character generated aliens moviegoers
have come to expect.
It works to a point. The facial expressions of the Vogons
were masterful. But I still have a hard time shaking the image
of Big Bird when watching the Vogons do that familiar, life-size,
muppet march.
Before they are ejected into deep space, Ford gives Arthur
a guide to the galaxy with “Don’t Panic” on
its cover, full of helpful tips on making your way through
the universe. By strange happenstance they are brought aboard
a spaceship belonging to Zaphod Beeblebrox, President of the
Galaxy (played by Sam Rockwell). Also on board are Trillian
the astrophysicist (Zooey Deschanel), who Arthur had met back
on Earth, and Marvin the Paranoid Android whose continual
melancholy is superbly played by the voice of veteran actor
Alan Rickman.
Rockwell’s over-the-top performance as President Beeblebrox
falls somewhere between a rock star, a game show host, and
Will Ferrell doing George W. Bush.
I could tell you about Beeblebrox’ mission involving
the answer to the meaning of life (actually it turns into
a search for the question), or why the president has two heads,
one of which he loses temporarily to election rival Humma
Kuvula (John Malkovich) who has his own missing parts.
I could attempt to explain sneaky mice, a whale falling from
the sky, the secret of the earth’s creation, and a few
more incredibly bizarre events, but it would take a lot more
space than allowed here.
But, back to whether the uninitiated can enjoy this intergalactic
version of Gulliver’s Travels, the answer depends on
the following: Do you like muppet movies? Are you a fan of
the cast members? Would you happily wait for an hour or so
to see some incredible eye candy when Arthur is taken on a
unique manufacturer’s tour?
Answer “no” to any of those questions and you’ll
save a few bucks. Answer “yes” and you can find
worse entertainment on a Saturday night.
Or better yet, read the book as numerous millions have done,
and a galaxy of mice and men (not to mention the power of
towels) becomes more meaningful.
At least that’s what I’m told.
DVD Extras
Extras include commentaries, behind the scenes featurettes,
and games. Here's the list:
Audio Commentary: Director, Producer And Actors
Audio Commentary: Robbie Stamp (Exec. Producer) And Douglas
Solle
Deleted Scenes: And Really Deleted Scenes
Featurette: Additional Guide Entry
Featurette: Improbability Drive (Random Scenes)
Game: Marvins Hangman
Song Lyrics: Sing Along - Thanks For All The Fish
Featurette: Making Of
Conclusion: Movie 70% Extras: 65%
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