I’m a big fan of the books by Douglas Adams but didn’t rush out to the cinema to see this because it seemed to be getting tepid reviews. I can now see why. Don’t get me wrong, I think the film was okay, but that was about it. They managed to cpature some of the style and essence of the books, especially their humour, which I thought would be the biggest challenge. Having said that the film just didn’t leave any real impression on me.
One of the reasons for this, I think, was the plot. I get the impression it was sort of charge of on some mad journey at breakneck speed, stop suddenly to have some plot development, the introduction of a narrative tool or simply to show something fun and interesting, then we charge off at breakneck speed to the next plot point. There didn’t seem to be a flowing, joined up story, more a collection of scenes joined by madcap travelling sequences.
Martin Freeman plays Dent pretty well, but under the sad and somewhat pathetic exterior he projected I always felt he was holding back the urge to step up and play the hero, not a character trait that Dent normally possesses. Trillian seems a little quieter and more fragile than I remember from the books. Ford seems much more reasonable and less volatile than in the books and while Sam Rockwell plays Zaphod perfectly self-centered, the strange combination of two heads and even a slight toning down seem to take away from the role. The ship and Marvin don’t look right either, but I could go on and on.
Having said that, the lashings of humour are pretty good and Vogons especially are hilarious. So my main concern with the film is the plot. Even once we’ve shot through the story like a speed freak watching a normal film on fast forward the payoff seems to be over and done very quickly and easily. There didn’t seem to be a big build-up of tension and the overcoming of the biggest challenge yet faced. All problems are solved by a well-placed teapot and Marvin firing a gun.
All in all then, I think it’s a movie that is worth a look, but certainly not a classic or even a defining moment in cinema for this, or any, year. Having said that, the So Long and Thanks for All the Fish song is genius.
No comments yet.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
