So long and thanks for all the fish.

by Unknown

Back to The Real World.

Unknown2005-04-29 20:03:07
The reviews have been suprisingly good for Hitchhiker's Guilde to the Galalxy. I'm still a bit nervous but I'm going to see it tomorrow. Anyone watched it yet and able to give it a thumbs up or thumbs down?
Soll2005-04-29 20:05:26
My brother just came back from watching it, with a big: spoton.gif
Manjanaia2005-04-29 20:28:27
Huzzah for British acting talent!
Fain2005-04-29 20:41:35
Don't forget to bring a towel.
Manjanaia2005-04-29 20:48:35
Towely?! Or is that in the film. I love Towely. The little stoned towel that he is. Aah. wub.gif
Sylphas2005-04-29 21:14:22
doh.gif No. That's South Park. Please tell me you've read the Hitchhiker's guide. You can't be serious. Right?
Faethan2005-04-29 21:18:22
I have seen some bad reviews, but the reviewers strike me as the type who are more concerned about the film making use of traditional artistic devices such as intense character development than they are about the actual enjoyablity of the film for the average viewer.
Richter2005-04-29 21:32:20
Loved the books, can't wait to see the movie!
Unknown2005-04-29 23:57:38
The original TV series is better, but maybe thats because I have grown up watching it over and over. But its good, just very different. But thats what Douglas Adams always went for, the Radio Program is different to the TV Program is different to the Books
Richter2005-04-30 00:04:44
It was on TV???
Roul2005-04-30 00:19:23
omfg I played hookie from work to go watch. I left at lunch and said i was sick, and going home. It was freakin awesome. Everyone must see it.

ALWAYS KNOW WHERE YOUR TOWEL IS. And the opening song is hilarious. =)

So yeah, everyone must go watch it. And watch Kung Fu Hustle as well. Trust me.
Asarnil2005-04-30 00:22:52
Strange, to me and pretty much everyone I know, this movie felt like they sucked all the funny out of the movie and replaced it with dialogue written by the person who taught Keanu Reaves how to act. As it stands, this movie has NOTHING on what was done for the books, radio series and tv series.
Unknown2005-04-30 00:23:25
42
Unknown2005-04-30 00:44:03
QUOTE(Richter @ Apr 30 2005, 01:04 AM)
It was on TV???
110117



Yeah you can still pick it up on BBC DVD. It was originally a Radio Series, then he Wrote the first couple of Books, then they made the TV show, then he did the rest of the books. The story line in all 3 is different, not massively, but bits change.
Unknown2005-04-30 02:11:05
The screenplay, while changed a little, is still very reminiscent of the SAME screenplay Douglas Adams himself wrote.
Unknown2005-04-30 02:16:26
Yes, but he again wrote it to be different, like he did with the other things.
Asarnil2005-04-30 05:17:40
I forgot I wrote this, so here is a short review (I can't remember where I put my long one) of the Guide.

QUOTE
I've just returned from a preview screening of The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy movie ... and I'm still in two minds about it. While I didn't hate the film - it's well cast and LOOKS fantastic - I certainly didn't love it. The biggest problem with the H2G2 film? For a comedy, it lacks funny. The makers have taken Douglas's story - which, let's be honest, was never really  what H2G2 was all about - and extracted pretty much ALL the jokes out of it. Got a favourite HG2 line? Well, chances are it WON'T be in the film.

Here's just one example. In the original radio series - and the book, and the TV show, and the stage play - was this exchange between Arthur and Mr Prosser when Mr Prosser and his crew are trying to demolish Arthur's house:
"I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them."
"That's the Display Department."
"With a torch."
"The lights had probably gone."
"So had the stairs."
"But you found the plans, didn't you?"
"Oh yes, they were 'on display' in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying 'Beware of the leopard.'"

And the movie version:
"I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them."
"But you found the plans, didn't you?"

Now, which is funnier? Exactly. Another great scene that's been ruined - when Ford and Arthur arrive on the Heart Of Gold, and there's all that wonderful surreal stuff happening to them - such as Ford turning into a penguin? All gone - they arrive on the ship as a pair of sofas and then turn back into themselves. Also missing from the film are the Dentrassi, the part of the Guide entry on Babel fish proving the non-existence of God, most of the Vogon poetry scene, most of the Guide entry on the Infinite Improbability Drive, talking doors, the Guide entry on Magrathea, most of Arthur's conversation with Slartibartfast, the Guide entry on Deep Thought, and most of the Deep Thought scenes, including Vroomfondel and Majikthise. And lots, lots more (for those who know Hitchhikers well).

The BEST thing about H2G2 was Douglas Adams' dialogue, and his sharp wit. Sadly, almost all of that has been excised from the film, and replaced with dull, throwaway lines and cheap sight gags. It seems the makers were trying to pander to a wider audience, and to those not familiar with the original versions. The film will do reasonably well, but I can't see it being a smash hit or a critical success.

Most of the basic, iconic elements of H2G2 have gone, for what appears to be no good reason..

Anyway, that's all for now. I'm tired, and need to go to bed. I'll finish this review tomorrow, after I've slept on it.
Revan2005-04-30 10:52:56
I thought it was alright. It can never hold a candle to the books, but it wasn't abysmal. The opening song was awesome =p
Manjanaia2005-04-30 10:55:38
Yeah I've never read it.
Caffrey2005-04-30 12:30:27
I saw the special preview screening at Vue cinemas on tuesday 26th too, with 7 other guys from work, the ones of us who are h2g2 fans came out very dissapointed (me included), but the others enjoyed it.

Too much Disney influence, great jokes/funny bits ruined, the bulldozer bit, the door (why only a sigh and no voice?!), wtf did they put the romance in for??!? and way too few readings from the guide. The actors themselves where good choices, especially the voice of Marvin and the Guide biggrin.gif and the special effects where good, but this is a watered down, mediocre version of h2g2 sad.gif

I don't like to say it, because Adams did have some part to play in it before he died... but... the film sucked. Sure there were funny bits... but as I feared they might, they have tried to make it appeal to the mainstream and in doing so.. lost the plot. angry.gif

If I had my towel with me i would have cried into it. depressed.gif