The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy


Starring:Peter Jones, Simon Jones, David Dixon, Joe Melia, Martin Benson, Steve Conway, Cleo Rocos, Andrew Mussell, Sandra Dickinson, Mark Wing-Davey, Michael Cule, Rayner Bourton, Gil Morris, David Learner, Stephen Moore, David Tate, Richard Vernon (II), Antony Carrick, Timothy Davies, David Leland
Director: Alan J.W. Bell
Studio: BBC Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
The production values aren't the greatest here, but this adaptation does capture some of the ebullient, hilarious anarchy of Douglas Adams's book. Arthur Dent discovers that his friend, Ford Prefect, isn't human at all but an alien on assignment, writing for the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Many of Adams's delicious asides are dropped off here, like the woman who figures out the meaning of life right at the moment that she gets blown up with the rest of the Earth, but it retains what it can. Sure, the book was better, and the realization of Zaphod Beeblebox and Trillian are, well, just different, but it's a great introduction to the series for the uninitiated. --Keith Simanton
Description
With the galaxy's best-selling tour guide and a good towel, earthling Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect (actually from planet Betelgeuse) are transported, among other places, to the Restaurant at the End of the Universe and back to the beginning of time.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Widescreen Edition)
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • HEY! are all those other movies boring you? watch this one instead!
  • OUTSTANDING REMAKE
  • Fun Adventurous Movie
  • So long, and thanks for all the fish...
  • nice funny movie
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Bill Bailey (IV) , Anna Chancellor , Warwick Davis , Mos Def , and Zooey Deschanel
Director: Garth Jennings
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment / Touchstone
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000A283AW
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Product Description

Here's the absolutely hysterical, wonderfully wild, cosmic adventure comedy THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY. Based on Douglas Adams' worldwide best-selling novel, and starring an outrageous intergalactic cast, this is one ride you don't want to miss. Seconds before Earth is destroyed to make way for a new hyperspace express route, mild-mannered Arthur Dent is whisked into space by his best friend (an alien posing as an out-of-work actor). And so the misadventures begin as he and fellow travelers, including the cool but dim-witted President of the Galaxy, the Earth girl Trillian, and Marvin the paranoid android, search for answers to the mystery of Life, the Universe, and Everything.

System Requirements:
Starring: Sam Rockwell, Mos Def, Zooey Deschanel, Martin Freeman, Bill Nighy, Warwick Davis, Anna Chancellor, Alan Rickman, Helen Mirren, Stephen Fry, John Malkovich, Simon Jones, Thomas Lennon
Directed By: Garth Jennings
Running Time: 109 Min.
Copyright Buena Vista Home Video 2005

Format: DVD MOVIE

Amazon.com

Don't panic! After twenty years stuck in development (a mere blink compared to how long it takes to find the answer to life, the universe, and everything), The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has finally been turned into a movie. Following the radio play, TV series, commemorative towel, and books, this latest installment in the sci-fi-comedy franchise is based on the screenplay and detailed notes by Douglas Adams.


Hitching a ride.

For those unfamiliar with the story, everyman Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) wakes up one morning to discover that his house is set to be demolished to make room for a bypass. Little does he know the entire planet Earth is also set to be destroyed for an interplanetary bypass by the Vogons, a hideous and bureaucratic race of aliens realized in the film by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. Whisked off the planet by his best friend, alien-in-disguise Ford Prefect (Mos Def), Dent embarks on a goofy jaunt across the galaxy accompanied by his trusty Hitchhiker's Guide, which looks like a really fancy PDA.

The guide itself provides some of the funniest bits of the movie, little animated shorts that explain the ludicrous life forms and extraterrestrial phenomena our heroes encounter. Along the way Arthur meets the two-headed party animal/president of the galaxy Zaphod Beeblebrox (Sam Rockwell) and develops an unrequited crush on fellow earthling Trillian (Zooey Deschanel). The creatures and sets are inspired and answer to the sci-fi fan's primal need to see lots and lots of cool stuff. In particular, there's John Malkovich's creepy, CGI-enhanced Humma Kavula. He's a guru leading a religion that worships the gigantic nose that allegedly sneezed the universe into existence (naturally all their prayers end not with "Amen" but with "Bless you.") The aliens the team encounters are inspired creations, eminently worthy of action figure-ification, and the sets belie an attention to detail worthy of freeze-framing. Fans of the other Hitchhiker manifestations, namely the British TV series, will be amused by a number of in-jokes sprinkled throughout the movie.


Concept art: The Heart of Gold pod on the planet Vogsphere

Where the story stumbles is in the telling--as books, the Hitchhiker's Guide was foremost about goofy and brilliant ideas that raised questions about our place in the universe while getting a laugh. The cast seems at times bewildered, at least when Sam Rockwell isn't picking pieces of scenery out of his teeth, perhaps a natural reaction to an adaptation of a book with no traditional plot. The movie has enough trouble figuring out how to get the characters from one fantastical location to the next that Adams's funniest concepts often feel left in the dust. While the reverence the filmmakers felt toward Adams's legacy is apparent, one wonders what we could have expected had the creator of this science fiction universe lived to see it with his own eyes. -- Ryan Boudinot

A Guide to the Guide

The Soundtrack

The Radio Play (CD)

The TV Series

The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide (Deluxe Edition)

The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide (Paperback)

The Filming of the Douglas Adams Classic (book)

Interviews with The Cast and Director

Watch our interviews with the cast and director of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and find out what they think of other DVDs and books:
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Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars HEY! are all those other movies boring you? watch this one instead!.......2007-06-15

it goes without saying: the more original the novel, the higher expectations are for the movie adaptation. douglas adams shares the rarest of company, with vonnegut being the only contemporary peer and source of inspiration that im aware of (if you know others, please recommend them!) thankfully, hitchhikers delivers on screen, accurately capturing the feel of the book, even with the standard deviation and dilution of plot and character. narrated excerpts from the guide, necessary for an authentic hikers experience, are brilliant in content and execution. if i really wanted to find fault, id say that zaphods part was a bit overacted and marvins a tad underacted. but the film is so much fun that its easy to overlook any minor shortcomings. how often do you find a movie with above average intelligence that doesnt take itself too seriously and makes you laugh for days after its over? also contributing greatly to my judgment of overall satisfaction and life enhancement is the fact that many lines are conveniently quotable when a) goofing off with a few friends, b) taking a shower (with or without a few friends) or c) begrudgingly dealing with the everyday frustrations and activities of an all too banal, conformist society, which elevates vacuous filth and garbage above anything of actual merit or significance.

if youre not familiar with the hitchhikers guide, id describe the movie as somewhat of a marriage between "i love huckabees" (more of the intellectual approach) and the tv series "scrubs" (more on the goofy side, as if you didnt know) with a sci-fi setting. take note: the emphasis is on the fiction, with the science being loosely (albeit cleverly) applied, so dont take it too seriously! if you start analyzing everything as if its star trek, youll completely miss the point, only part of which is to poke fun at the constipated nature of the sci-fi majority. and if you like the movie, by all means read the book. its 2764.31910283387400183401448308238532722014869088173775898283 times smarter, funnier and betterer...

4 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING REMAKE.......2007-06-13

The original BBC Hitchhikers guide was wonderful fun with a low budget. This film gives it the updated graphics and more to make it even better. A funny adventure from beginning to end. Martin Freeman plays Arthur Dent perfectly. The entire cast performs so well and have great chemistry. Mos Def as Ford was brilliant and what more can be said for the President of the Galaxy. The humor and the graphics make this a perfect movie to see for all sci fi lovers.

5 out of 5 stars Fun Adventurous Movie.......2007-06-12

First off, I am not going to give a synopsis of the movie - then you wouldn't need to watch it. I will say that based on the reviews I have read, if you liked the book or Mini-Series, maybe you should shy away from this movie. I myself have not read the book so I am like most people. My entire family loved this movie and my kids watch it over and over again. This is good news given that my kids are usually bored 5 minutes into any task they take on. The characters in this movie work well together and the movie makes you feel good from start to finish.
As a lover of all things Sci-Fi I found this movie to fit the bill perfectly. It would be a shame if you didn't watch this movie simply because the original book fans were disappointed. Try it out, and I would bet you like it (better the second time around).

5 out of 5 stars So long, and thanks for all the fish..........2007-05-23

I was prepared to be disappointed at the feature movie version of the infamous book (and later BBC mini-series, available elsewhere on DVD), but I was pleasantly surprised and delighted with this "version." I read the book a long, long time ago, and wasn't that impressed with the TV version, which is perhaps why, after so many years, I was ready to be disappointed. Could "Hollyweird" really do justice to dim, confusing but challenging memories of the original text? And ideas, and visuals inside my head? In less than two hours? The answers to all, a thumbs way up yes!

Some "purists" have dissed this film, but for anyone with a more casual approach, this is not only a great version of the book (and puts the TV series to shame in all ways except length, imho), it's a great introduction to some rather mind-expanding ideas, most of which are still present after all of these years, for those who may never have pondered seriously the answer to the question "What is the meaning of life?"

It's 42, of course.

This film (version) of the original book, works on so many levels, it's hard to know where to begin. For those unfamiliar with the whole concept, the condensed movie-movie is entertaining from beginning to end, even if you wind up asking yourself what the bleep has been going on throughout. This makes this version good for repeated viewings, and if one likes this, a must buy DVD, aside from the extras. For those who either read the book long ago or saw the TV series, the jury may be out, and it all depends on your taste. And your expectations. Having had fond memories of the long-distant book, and not too favorable feelings about the TV series, I really liked this. It brought back, in a short time, a lot of what impressed me in younger dayz.

The movie tells the story of an "everyman" suddenly swept up in a cosmic adventure, where he finds the most strange things, and where the true nature of the universe is revealed, piece by piece. The beginning titles and sequences with the dolphins and the catchy "So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish" song are perfect. Within a short time, our hero is sent on a wild ride, with constantly changing characters and settings, all done with extremely good CGI. The bulk of the film itself slows down in some parts, and is totally confusing and weird for weird sake in others, but overall, even a caveman can do it! That is, "get" the main gist here by the end. An ending which is a quick montage and replaying of the fish song, and couldn't have been better.

Fans of serious sci-fi need to look elsewhere, as this is much more a work of fantasy, however, as the two genres often interact, this really doesn't disappoint on either level, even if doesn't entirely (at times) satisfy either. But I'm not going to carp. Truth is, sci-fi fan or fantasy fan, the mixture here adds up to a fun experience throughout, and has what I think is the most important feature of any movie and/or DVD. If you like it at first viewing, you'll want to own the thing, to watch it and parts, again, and again.

The special effects in this are great, though not perfect. The music is good, especially the title and ending song. All the actors here do a subtle but effective job, with a standout being that from wholesome babe Zooey Deschanel. The constantly depressed robot is also consistenly funny, till the end. Along the way, we are swept away in a totally weird world (the galaxy, and universe to be precise), seeing all the wonders and madness both first person and third (and second I guess, somewhere along the way), meeting with and existing alongside many strange characters and things from beginning to end.

This film works in the long run, because it never really takes itself too seriously, just like the book and general original "thesis." That is, that we are but tiny little insignificant organisms in a greater cosmos, one in which, almost anything one can imagine, might actually be reality, in a semi-serious, or wacky beyond our real understanding way. I was rather torn about giving this a five star rating. Four might be better appropriate, since not everyone might get what this is all about. And there are some slow spots. But going back to my expectations, this film really works on multi-levels, for those both unfamiliar with the book and ideas, and for those with a more casual interest.

While the TV series (and DVD) may deal with the book's original material much more thoroughly, this condensed version is just about the best I had hoped for from the studio system. It's entertaining, period, from beginning to end, and aside from minor flaws, has become one of my favorite movies. And one of the best sci-fi/fantasy efforts from Hollywood in a long, long time.

4 out of 5 stars nice funny movie.......2007-05-12

the movie follows the book up to one point, then changes the script completely. If you dont mind aout that, then you canb enjoy an original and fun comedy
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Worth saving the Earth for...
  • Forget the film, this is the definitive version!
  • So much better than the remake
  • The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
  • Two words...
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Starring: Peter Jones , Simon Jones , David Dixon , Joe Melia , and Martin Benson
Director: Alan J.W. Bell
Manufacturer: BBC Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005YUNJ
Release Date: 2002-04-30

Amazon.com

The production values aren't the greatest here, but this adaptation does capture some of the ebullient, hilarious anarchy of Douglas Adams's book. Arthur Dent discovers that his friend, Ford Prefect, isn't human at all but an alien on assignment, writing for the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Many of Adams's delicious asides are dropped off here, like the woman who figures out the meaning of life right at the moment that she gets blown up with the rest of the Earth, but it retains what it can. Sure, the book was better, and the realization of Zaphod Beeblebox and Trillian are, well, just different, but it's a great introduction to the series for the uninitiated. --Keith Simanton

Description

With the galaxy's best-selling tour guide and a good towel, earthling Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect (actually from planet Betelgeuse) are transported, among other places, to the Restaurant at the End of the Universe and back to the beginning of time.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Worth saving the Earth for..........2007-06-18

If you must purchase a DVD copy of the Hitchhikers guide to the Galaxy this year ...make it this one! It totally blows away the Disney version that was excreted out a few years back. The story line follows the original book pretty closely, and the acting is so much better that one wonders why the participants in the newer release are allowed to continue living.
Sure it has its small problems here and there,things like lighting and costumes that could use less paint...but still,noticing these things in the first place are a sign that youre taking life too seriously and need to lighten up. This is just a riot that will have you laughing out loud.
The humor and interaction of the actors with the plot,(That acting thing again) will have you thinking about the movie later,causing you to laugh at inappropriate times...like meeting a blind date...or recieving sentencing from a Judge.
If youre a fan of Douglas Adams masterpiece of humor and irony,and havent seen this yet...hurry the hell up and get a copy before the Vogons show up.

5 out of 5 stars Forget the film, this is the definitive version!.......2007-06-12

I read the book, saw the film first and then took a gander at this 1981 lost gem. The comedy delivery in the TV series is crisper; never mind the fact that the effects were substandard. The film felt a bit rushed, while this 6-episode series perfectly captures the essence of the book. In fact, if you were to break this down Dr. Jack-style you would end up purchasing this DVD for two main reasons:

1. Douglas Adams himself took an active role in the production of this series;

2. Adams wrote the part of Arthur Dent specifically with Simon Jones in mind.

5 out of 5 stars So much better than the remake.......2007-01-07

Sure the special effects stink and it is British Sci-fi (the effects REALLY stink), but Douglas Adams was involved in the whole thing, and it shows. Some of the best parts of the books were left out of the remake. And one place the effects shine is the Guide itself. It looks like computer grapics, but it's not.

Definately quirky British sci-fi humor, but easily some of the best to come out of the BBC.

5 out of 5 stars The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.......2007-01-05

If you like British Comedy, then you will love this DVD.

5 out of 5 stars Two words..........2007-01-03

simply hilarious.
Whatever you do before, during or after watching this show or reading this book, don't panic and don't forget to bring a towel.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy [Blu-ray]
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Don't Panic! ... But be prepared to laugh
  • Blu-Ray not as impressive as I had hoped
  • Fabulous! Guess Who Wrote Screenplay & Directed?
  • God awful, NOT for fans of Douglas Adams!
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy [Blu-ray]
Starring: Warwick Davis , Stephen Fry , Richard Griffiths , Simon Jones , and John Malkovich
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment / Touchstone
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: Blu-ray

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ASIN: B000KEG938
Release Date: 2007-01-23

Product description

Climb aboard for wacky, irreverent fun with The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy on Blu-ray's high definition disc. Based on Douglas Adams' best-selling novel, this "fascinating, funny and relentlessly awe-inspiring" (UPN-TV) movie soars to cosmic heights in this stellar new format. Seconds before Earth is destroyed, mild-mannered Arthur Dent is whisked into space by a friendly alien in human form to search for answers to the mystery of life, the universe and everything. Experience thrilling special effects and intergalactic misadventures in astonishing 1080p, and feel the impact of every supernova with 5.1 48 kHz, 16-bit uncompressed audio. It's a wild, out-of-this-world ride with Blu-ray™ High Definition.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Don't Panic! ... But be prepared to laugh.......2007-04-16

I absolutely loved this movie. The opening scene with the narator setting up the story and the dolphins is worth the price of the film alone.
I had to do research on the film to see if any of the Monty Python troupe was involved because it is the most "MontyPythonesque" movie I have ever seen, other than actual Monty Python films. Maybe the "Brits" just have the special touch with dark, sarcastic, human bashing humor.
Sam Rockwell made the movie and Alan Rickman did a great job.
By far, the funniest movie I have seen in quite a while.

I have since read the book and did not enjoy it, so perhaps that is why I enjoyed the movie where fans of Adams find the movie appalling. Just a thought.

4 out of 5 stars Blu-Ray not as impressive as I had hoped.......2007-03-22

Comparing the same movie in Blue-Ray, and in standard DVD (played on upscaling Sony DVD HDMI player) shows not that much difference in picture.

I'm watching it on a 40" Sharp Aquos LCD, over the HDMI interfaces.

Chris

5 out of 5 stars Fabulous! Guess Who Wrote Screenplay & Directed?.......2007-03-08

This is simply a great film, with Adams writing screenplay and directing. I can't really compare movies and book, they both have their own features. That aside, hold on to your seats! Can't help but agree with the BBC, "It's Bloomin' Brilliant!" Blu-Ray adds to the wonderful experience. -DrMAL

1 out of 5 stars God awful, NOT for fans of Douglas Adams!.......2007-03-04

This movie died at every possible opportunity. It starts off with dropping the biggest joke in Adams' career with Ford Prefect tricking the demolition crew into not tearing down Arthur's house. The original demonstrates political bureaucracy and irony, as well as human gullibility, whereas this movie, Ford just bribes the crew with a few beers then leaves with Arthur. The movie is NOTHING like the book, the TV series (Made into a movie, rather cheaply made but WELL done). Everything in this movie past the first three minutes is NOTHING like the original. I can see why they waited for Adams to die before releasing it in the theaters.

This movie will make any more-than-casual fan of Adams vomit in disgust. Not even worth a free rental! You've been warned.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Full Screen Edition)
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • HEY! are all those other movies boring you? watch this one instead!
  • OUTSTANDING REMAKE
  • Fun Adventurous Movie
  • So long, and thanks for all the fish...
  • nice funny movie
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Full Screen Edition)
Starring: Bill Bailey (IV) , Anna Chancellor , Warwick Davis , Mos Def , and Zooey Deschanel
Director: Garth Jennings
Manufacturer: Buena Vista Home Entertainment / Touchstone
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005JO28
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Amazon.com

Don't panic! After twenty years stuck in development (a mere blink compared to how long it takes to find the answer to life, the universe, and everything), The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has finally been turned into a movie. Following the radio play, TV series, commemorative towel, and books, this latest installment in the sci-fi-comedy franchise is based on the screenplay and detailed notes by Douglas Adams. For those unfamiliar with the story, everyman Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) wakes up one morning to discover that his house is set to be demolished to make room for a bypass. Little does he know the entire planet Earth is also set to be destroyed for an interplanetary bypass by the Vogons, a hideous and bureaucratic race of aliens realized in the film by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. Whisked off the planet by his best friend, alien-in-disguise Ford Prefect (Mos Def), Dent embarks on a goofy jaunt across the galaxy accompanied by his trusty Hitchhiker's Guide, which looks like a really fancy PDA. The guide itself provides some of the funniest bits of the movie, little animated shorts that explain the ludicrous life forms and extraterrestrial phenomena our heroes encounter. Along the way Arthur meets the two-headed party animal/president of the galaxy Zaphod Beeblebrox (Sam Rockwell) and develops an unrequited crush on fellow earthling Trillian (Zooey Deschanel). The creatures and sets are inspired and answer to the sci-fi fan's primal need to see lots and lots of cool stuff. Where the story stumbles is in the telling--as books, the Hitchhiker's Guide was foremost about goofy and brilliant ideas that raised questions about our place in the universe while getting a laugh. The movie has enough trouble figuring out how to get the characters from one fantastical location to the next that Adams's funniest concepts often feel left in the dust. While the reverence the filmmakers felt toward Adams's legacy is apparent, one wonders what we could have expected had the creator of this science fiction universe lived to see it with his own eyes. -- Ryan Boudinot

Description

Here's the absolutely hysterical, wonderfully wild, cosmic adventure comedy THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY. Based on Douglas Adams' worldwide best-selling novel, and starring an outrageous intergalactic cast, this is one ride you don't want to miss. Seconds before Earth is destroyed to make way for a new hyperspace express route, mild-mannered Arthur Dent is whisked into space by his best friend (an alien posing as an out-of-work actor). And so the misadventures begin as he and fellow travelers, including the cool but dim-witted President of the Galaxy, the Earth girl Trillian, and Marvin the paranoid android, search for answers to the mystery of Life, the Universe, and Everything.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars HEY! are all those other movies boring you? watch this one instead!.......2007-06-15

it goes without saying: the more original the novel, the higher expectations are for the movie adaptation. douglas adams shares the rarest of company, with vonnegut being the only contemporary peer and source of inspiration that im aware of (if you know others, please recommend them!) thankfully, hitchhikers delivers on screen, accurately capturing the feel of the book, even with the standard deviation and dilution of plot and character. narrated excerpts from the guide, necessary for an authentic hikers experience, are brilliant in content and execution. if i really wanted to find fault, id say that zaphods part was a bit overacted and marvins a tad underacted. but the film is so much fun that its easy to overlook any minor shortcomings. how often do you find a movie with above average intelligence that doesnt take itself too seriously and makes you laugh for days after its over? also contributing greatly to my judgment of overall satisfaction and life enhancement is the fact that many lines are conveniently quotable when a) goofing off with a few friends, b) taking a shower (with or without a few friends) or c) begrudgingly dealing with the everyday frustrations and activities of an all too banal, conformist society, which elevates vacuous filth and garbage above anything of actual merit or significance.

if youre not familiar with the hitchhikers guide, id describe the movie as somewhat of a marriage between "i love huckabees" (more of the intellectual approach) and the tv series "scrubs" (more on the goofy side, as if you didnt know) with a sci-fi setting. take note: the emphasis is on the fiction, with the science being loosely (albeit cleverly) applied, so dont take it too seriously! if you start analyzing everything as if its star trek, youll completely miss the point, only part of which is to poke fun at the constipated nature of the sci-fi majority. and if you like the movie, by all means read the book. its 2764.31910283387400183401448308238532722014869088173775898283 times smarter, funnier and betterer...

4 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING REMAKE.......2007-06-13

The original BBC Hitchhikers guide was wonderful fun with a low budget. This film gives it the updated graphics and more to make it even better. A funny adventure from beginning to end. Martin Freeman plays Arthur Dent perfectly. The entire cast performs so well and have great chemistry. Mos Def as Ford was brilliant and what more can be said for the President of the Galaxy. The humor and the graphics make this a perfect movie to see for all sci fi lovers.

5 out of 5 stars Fun Adventurous Movie.......2007-06-12

First off, I am not going to give a synopsis of the movie - then you wouldn't need to watch it. I will say that based on the reviews I have read, if you liked the book or Mini-Series, maybe you should shy away from this movie. I myself have not read the book so I am like most people. My entire family loved this movie and my kids watch it over and over again. This is good news given that my kids are usually bored 5 minutes into any task they take on. The characters in this movie work well together and the movie makes you feel good from start to finish.
As a lover of all things Sci-Fi I found this movie to fit the bill perfectly. It would be a shame if you didn't watch this movie simply because the original book fans were disappointed. Try it out, and I would bet you like it (better the second time around).

5 out of 5 stars So long, and thanks for all the fish..........2007-05-23

I was prepared to be disappointed at the feature movie version of the infamous book (and later BBC mini-series, available elsewhere on DVD), but I was pleasantly surprised and delighted with this "version." I read the book a long, long time ago, and wasn't that impressed with the TV version, which is perhaps why, after so many years, I was ready to be disappointed. Could "Hollyweird" really do justice to dim, confusing but challenging memories of the original text? And ideas, and visuals inside my head? In less than two hours? The answers to all, a thumbs way up yes!

Some "purists" have dissed this film, but for anyone with a more casual approach, this is not only a great version of the book (and puts the TV series to shame in all ways except length, imho), it's a great introduction to some rather mind-expanding ideas, most of which are still present after all of these years, for those who may never have pondered seriously the answer to the question "What is the meaning of life?"

It's 42, of course.

This film (version) of the original book, works on so many levels, it's hard to know where to begin. For those unfamiliar with the whole concept, the condensed movie-movie is entertaining from beginning to end, even if you wind up asking yourself what the bleep has been going on throughout. This makes this version good for repeated viewings, and if one likes this, a must buy DVD, aside from the extras. For those who either read the book long ago or saw the TV series, the jury may be out, and it all depends on your taste. And your expectations. Having had fond memories of the long-distant book, and not too favorable feelings about the TV series, I really liked this. It brought back, in a short time, a lot of what impressed me in younger dayz.

The movie tells the story of an "everyman" suddenly swept up in a cosmic adventure, where he finds the most strange things, and where the true nature of the universe is revealed, piece by piece. The beginning titles and sequences with the dolphins and the catchy "So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish" song are perfect. Within a short time, our hero is sent on a wild ride, with constantly changing characters and settings, all done with extremely good CGI. The bulk of the film itself slows down in some parts, and is totally confusing and weird for weird sake in others, but overall, even a caveman can do it! That is, "get" the main gist here by the end. An ending which is a quick montage and replaying of the fish song, and couldn't have been better.

Fans of serious sci-fi need to look elsewhere, as this is much more a work of fantasy, however, as the two genres often interact, this really doesn't disappoint on either level, even if doesn't entirely (at times) satisfy either. But I'm not going to carp. Truth is, sci-fi fan or fantasy fan, the mixture here adds up to a fun experience throughout, and has what I think is the most important feature of any movie and/or DVD. If you like it at first viewing, you'll want to own the thing, to watch it and parts, again, and again.

The special effects in this are great, though not perfect. The music is good, especially the title and ending song. All the actors here do a subtle but effective job, with a standout being that from wholesome babe Zooey Deschanel. The constantly depressed robot is also consistenly funny, till the end. Along the way, we are swept away in a totally weird world (the galaxy, and universe to be precise), seeing all the wonders and madness both first person and third (and second I guess, somewhere along the way), meeting with and existing alongside many strange characters and things from beginning to end.

This film works in the long run, because it never really takes itself too seriously, just like the book and general original "thesis." That is, that we are but tiny little insignificant organisms in a greater cosmos, one in which, almost anything one can imagine, might actually be reality, in a semi-serious, or wacky beyond our real understanding way. I was rather torn about giving this a five star rating. Four might be better appropriate, since not everyone might get what this is all about. And there are some slow spots. But going back to my expectations, this film really works on multi-levels, for those both unfamiliar with the book and ideas, and for those with a more casual interest.

While the TV series (and DVD) may deal with the book's original material much more thoroughly, this condensed version is just about the best I had hoped for from the studio system. It's entertaining, period, from beginning to end, and aside from minor flaws, has become one of my favorite movies. And one of the best sci-fi/fantasy efforts from Hollywood in a long, long time.

4 out of 5 stars nice funny movie.......2007-05-12

the movie follows the book up to one point, then changes the script completely. If you dont mind aout that, then you canb enjoy an original and fun comedy
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Mediocre Adaptation
  • nostalgic
  • As good as it gets
  • The Original BBC version
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Starring: Martin Benson , Sandra Dickinson , David Dixon , Simon Jones , and Joe Melia
Director: Alan J.W. Bell
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:
  1. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Widescreen Edition)
  2. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
  3. Doctor Who - New Beginnings (The Keeper of Traken / Logopolis / Castrovalva)
  4. Doctor Who - Genesis of the Daleks (Episode 78)
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ASIN: B000BHHVNQ
Release Date: 2005-10-04

Description

With the galaxy's best-selling tour guide and a good towel, earthling Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect (actually from planet Betelgeuse) are transported, among other places, to the Restaurant at the End of the Universe and back to the beginning of time.

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Mediocre Adaptation.......2007-04-17

I got these episodes of the BBC production from a friend when it came out. I found it very disappointing. Having loved the books, I found it to be rather flat. Very true to the books as some would say, but no life of its own. The actors all look like what I expected, probably too much so - especially Trillian. The portrayal of Ford Prefect was particularly bad as the actor tried to change how he said things, but only made it worse.

That said, Arthur Dent was excellent, Simon Jones was great, as always, as the "the book", although the graphics during his voice-overs were pretty blah. Overall, its OK, but falls way below most of the rest of the Hitchhiker's adaptations - IMHO.

5 out of 5 stars nostalgic.......2007-04-13

I watched the whole series on TV and now I can watch it all again. It is just like going back in time saying to myself "don't panic" this DVD is a wonderful nostalgic journey. I am very happy with my purchase and the DVD is crisp in picture and sound and I love the extras section as well.

5 out of 5 stars As good as it gets.......2007-02-11

These episodes are as close to the book as is possible, unlike the movie made in 2005. Being a latecomer to the Hitchhiker world, I wasn't sure what to expect from these 1981 renditions, but I was totally blown away by the "pureness" of the script and the graphics that they were able to make for the time. It's very well acted too, and the guy who played Arthur in the radio series also plays him on screen in these episodes. Douglas Adams also makes an on-screen appearance in a particular sequence, but I won't spoil the surprise.

They also include some documentaries done about 10 years later, which include interviews with the actors and Douglas Adams and a look at how they made the graphics.

The episodes cover most of the first novel, spend some time at the restaurant at the end of the universe and end at prehistoric earth.

5 out of 5 stars The Original BBC version.......2007-02-03

I searched a while to find this original version , it is much more complete than the new movie , and while a low budget style production , the acting and writing are the real deal.
One for the collection if you go for this sort of thing !
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (UMD Mini For PSP)
Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
  • HEY! are all those other movies boring you? watch this one instead!
  • OUTSTANDING REMAKE
  • Fun Adventurous Movie
  • So long, and thanks for all the fish...
  • nice funny movie
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (UMD Mini For PSP)
Starring: Bill Bailey (IV) , Anna Chancellor , Warwick Davis , Mos Def , and Zooey Deschanel
Director: Garth Jennings
Manufacturer: Touchstone / Disney
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: UMD for PSP

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ASIN: B000AAJTLQ
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Amazon.com

Don't panic! After twenty years stuck in development (a mere blink compared to how long it takes to find the answer to life, the universe, and everything), The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has finally been turned into a movie. Following the radio play, TV series, commemorative towel, and books, this latest installment in the sci-fi-comedy franchise is based on the screenplay and detailed notes by Douglas Adams. For those unfamiliar with the story, everyman Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) wakes up one morning to discover that his house is set to be demolished to make room for a bypass. Little does he know the entire planet Earth is also set to be destroyed for an interplanetary bypass by the Vogons, a hideous and bureaucratic race of aliens realized in the film by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. Whisked off the planet by his best friend, alien-in-disguise Ford Prefect (Mos Def), Dent embarks on a goofy jaunt across the galaxy accompanied by his trusty Hitchhiker's Guide, which looks like a really fancy PDA. The guide itself provides some of the funniest bits of the movie, little animated shorts that explain the ludicrous life forms and extraterrestrial phenomena our heroes encounter. Along the way Arthur meets the two-headed party animal/president of the galaxy Zaphod Beeblebrox (Sam Rockwell) and develops an unrequited crush on fellow earthling Trillian (Zooey Deschanel). The creatures and sets are inspired and answer to the sci-fi fan's primal need to see lots and lots of cool stuff. Where the story stumbles is in the telling--as books, the Hitchhiker's Guide was foremost about goofy and brilliant ideas that raised questions about our place in the universe while getting a laugh. The movie has enough trouble figuring out how to get the characters from one fantastical location to the next that Adams's funniest concepts often feel left in the dust. While the reverence the filmmakers felt toward Adams's legacy is apparent, one wonders what we could have expected had the creator of this science fiction universe lived to see it with his own eyes. -- Ryan Boudinot

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars HEY! are all those other movies boring you? watch this one instead!.......2007-06-15

it goes without saying: the more original the novel, the higher expectations are for the movie adaptation. douglas adams shares the rarest of company, with vonnegut being the only contemporary peer and source of inspiration that im aware of (if you know others, please recommend them!) thankfully, hitchhikers delivers on screen, accurately capturing the feel of the book, even with the standard deviation and dilution of plot and character. narrated excerpts from the guide, necessary for an authentic hikers experience, are brilliant in content and execution. if i really wanted to find fault, id say that zaphods part was a bit overacted and marvins a tad underacted. but the film is so much fun that its easy to overlook any minor shortcomings. how often do you find a movie with above average intelligence that doesnt take itself too seriously and makes you laugh for days after its over? also contributing greatly to my judgment of overall satisfaction and life enhancement is the fact that many lines are conveniently quotable when a) goofing off with a few friends, b) taking a shower (with or without a few friends) or c) begrudgingly dealing with the everyday frustrations and activities of an all too banal, conformist society, which elevates vacuous filth and garbage above anything of actual merit or significance.

if youre not familiar with the hitchhikers guide, id describe the movie as somewhat of a marriage between "i love huckabees" (more of the intellectual approach) and the tv series "scrubs" (more on the goofy side, as if you didnt know) with a sci-fi setting. take note: the emphasis is on the fiction, with the science being loosely (albeit cleverly) applied, so dont take it too seriously! if you start analyzing everything as if its star trek, youll completely miss the point, only part of which is to poke fun at the constipated nature of the sci-fi majority. and if you like the movie, by all means read the book. its 2764.31910283387400183401448308238532722014869088173775898283 times smarter, funnier and betterer...

4 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING REMAKE.......2007-06-13

The original BBC Hitchhikers guide was wonderful fun with a low budget. This film gives it the updated graphics and more to make it even better. A funny adventure from beginning to end. Martin Freeman plays Arthur Dent perfectly. The entire cast performs so well and have great chemistry. Mos Def as Ford was brilliant and what more can be said for the President of the Galaxy. The humor and the graphics make this a perfect movie to see for all sci fi lovers.

5 out of 5 stars Fun Adventurous Movie.......2007-06-12

First off, I am not going to give a synopsis of the movie - then you wouldn't need to watch it. I will say that based on the reviews I have read, if you liked the book or Mini-Series, maybe you should shy away from this movie. I myself have not read the book so I am like most people. My entire family loved this movie and my kids watch it over and over again. This is good news given that my kids are usually bored 5 minutes into any task they take on. The characters in this movie work well together and the movie makes you feel good from start to finish.
As a lover of all things Sci-Fi I found this movie to fit the bill perfectly. It would be a shame if you didn't watch this movie simply because the original book fans were disappointed. Try it out, and I would bet you like it (better the second time around).

5 out of 5 stars So long, and thanks for all the fish..........2007-05-23

I was prepared to be disappointed at the feature movie version of the infamous book (and later BBC mini-series, available elsewhere on DVD), but I was pleasantly surprised and delighted with this "version." I read the book a long, long time ago, and wasn't that impressed with the TV version, which is perhaps why, after so many years, I was ready to be disappointed. Could "Hollyweird" really do justice to dim, confusing but challenging memories of the original text? And ideas, and visuals inside my head? In less than two hours? The answers to all, a thumbs way up yes!

Some "purists" have dissed this film, but for anyone with a more casual approach, this is not only a great version of the book (and puts the TV series to shame in all ways except length, imho), it's a great introduction to some rather mind-expanding ideas, most of which are still present after all of these years, for those who may never have pondered seriously the answer to the question "What is the meaning of life?"

It's 42, of course.

This film (version) of the original book, works on so many levels, it's hard to know where to begin. For those unfamiliar with the whole concept, the condensed movie-movie is entertaining from beginning to end, even if you wind up asking yourself what the bleep has been going on throughout. This makes this version good for repeated viewings, and if one likes this, a must buy DVD, aside from the extras. For those who either read the book long ago or saw the TV series, the jury may be out, and it all depends on your taste. And your expectations. Having had fond memories of the long-distant book, and not too favorable feelings about the TV series, I really liked this. It brought back, in a short time, a lot of what impressed me in younger dayz.

The movie tells the story of an "everyman" suddenly swept up in a cosmic adventure, where he finds the most strange things, and where the true nature of the universe is revealed, piece by piece. The beginning titles and sequences with the dolphins and the catchy "So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish" song are perfect. Within a short time, our hero is sent on a wild ride, with constantly changing characters and settings, all done with extremely good CGI. The bulk of the film itself slows down in some parts, and is totally confusing and weird for weird sake in others, but overall, even a caveman can do it! That is, "get" the main gist here by the end. An ending which is a quick montage and replaying of the fish song, and couldn't have been better.

Fans of serious sci-fi need to look elsewhere, as this is much more a work of fantasy, however, as the two genres often interact, this really doesn't disappoint on either level, even if doesn't entirely (at times) satisfy either. But I'm not going to carp. Truth is, sci-fi fan or fantasy fan, the mixture here adds up to a fun experience throughout, and has what I think is the most important feature of any movie and/or DVD. If you like it at first viewing, you'll want to own the thing, to watch it and parts, again, and again.

The special effects in this are great, though not perfect. The music is good, especially the title and ending song. All the actors here do a subtle but effective job, with a standout being that from wholesome babe Zooey Deschanel. The constantly depressed robot is also consistenly funny, till the end. Along the way, we are swept away in a totally weird world (the galaxy, and universe to be precise), seeing all the wonders and madness both first person and third (and second I guess, somewhere along the way), meeting with and existing alongside many strange characters and things from beginning to end.

This film works in the long run, because it never really takes itself too seriously, just like the book and general original "thesis." That is, that we are but tiny little insignificant organisms in a greater cosmos, one in which, almost anything one can imagine, might actually be reality, in a semi-serious, or wacky beyond our real understanding way. I was rather torn about giving this a five star rating. Four might be better appropriate, since not everyone might get what this is all about. And there are some slow spots. But going back to my expectations, this film really works on multi-levels, for those both unfamiliar with the book and ideas, and for those with a more casual interest.

While the TV series (and DVD) may deal with the book's original material much more thoroughly, this condensed version is just about the best I had hoped for from the studio system. It's entertaining, period, from beginning to end, and aside from minor flaws, has become one of my favorite movies. And one of the best sci-fi/fantasy efforts from Hollywood in a long, long time.

4 out of 5 stars nice funny movie.......2007-05-12

the movie follows the book up to one point, then changes the script completely. If you dont mind aout that, then you canb enjoy an original and fun comedy
BBC Cosmic Comedy Collection (Red Dwarf III - VI / The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) - (10 Disc Set)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    BBC Cosmic Comedy Collection (Red Dwarf III - VI / The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) - (10 Disc Set)
    Starring: Peter Jones , Simon Jones , David Dixon , Joe Melia , and Martin Benson
    Director: Alan J.W. Bell
    Manufacturer: BBC Warner
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

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    2. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Widescreen Edition)

    ASIN: B000E0OE0S
    Release Date: 2006-01-24
    The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy [Region 2]
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • Very amusing both story and filming
    The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy [Region 2]
    Starring: Peter Jones , Simon Jones , David Dixon , Joe Melia , and Martin Benson
    Director: Alan J.W. Bell
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

    GeneralGeneral | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video
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    Jones, PeterJones, Peter | ( J ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Jones, SimonJones, Simon | ( J ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Moore, StephenMoore, Stephen | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
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    ASIN: B0000647VU

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars Very amusing both story and filming.......2006-09-25

    This recording dates back to 1981, so don't expect outstanding modern special effects. Despite of the slightly old style of the filming the story is very amusing and is loyal to the original book from Douglas Adams. This DVD is worth buying both for its extremely funny and famous story as well as historic aspect showing the studio work of that era. Organization of this disc is good and the quality of filming and actor work is excellent. Guaranteed BBC quality.
    The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy [Region 2]
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • Very amusing both story and filming
    The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy [Region 2]
    Starring: Peter Jones , Simon Jones , David Dixon , Joe Melia , and Martin Benson
    Director: Alan J.W. Bell
    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

    GeneralGeneral | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video
    Benson, MartinBenson, Martin | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Dixon, DavidDixon, David | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Jones, PeterJones, Peter | ( J ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Jones, SimonJones, Simon | ( J ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
    Moore, StephenMoore, Stephen | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
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    ASIN: B00005OCTS

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars Very amusing both story and filming.......2006-09-25

    This recording dates back to 1981, so don't expect outstanding modern special effects. Despite of the slightly old style of the filming the story is very amusing and is loyal to the original book from Douglas Adams. This DVD is worth buying both for its extremely funny and famous story as well as historic aspect showing the studio work of that era. Organization of this disc is good and the quality of filming and actor work is excellent. Guaranteed BBC quality.
    The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
    Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    • HEY! are all those other movies boring you? watch this one instead!
    • OUTSTANDING REMAKE
    • Fun Adventurous Movie
    • So long, and thanks for all the fish...
    • nice funny movie
    The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

    ProductGroup: DVD
    Binding: DVD

    GeneralGeneral | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video
    ( H )( H ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
    Used DVDsUsed DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
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    ASIN: B000ALVT9U

    Amazon.com

    Don't panic! After twenty years stuck in development (a mere blink compared to how long it takes to find the answer to life, the universe, and everything), The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has finally been turned into a movie. Following the radio play, TV series, commemorative towel, and books, this latest installment in the sci-fi-comedy franchise is based on the screenplay and detailed notes by Douglas Adams. For those unfamiliar with the story, everyman Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) wakes up one morning to discover that his house is set to be demolished to make room for a bypass. Little does he know the entire planet Earth is also set to be destroyed for an interplanetary bypass by the Vogons, a hideous and bureaucratic race of aliens realized in the film by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. Whisked off the planet by his best friend, alien-in-disguise Ford Prefect (Mos Def), Dent embarks on a goofy jaunt across the galaxy accompanied by his trusty Hitchhiker's Guide, which looks like a really fancy PDA. The guide itself provides some of the funniest bits of the movie, little animated shorts that explain the ludicrous life forms and extraterrestrial phenomena our heroes encounter. Along the way Arthur meets the two-headed party animal/president of the galaxy Zaphod Beeblebrox (Sam Rockwell) and develops an unrequited crush on fellow earthling Trillian (Zooey Deschanel). The creatures and sets are inspired and answer to the sci-fi fan's primal need to see lots and lots of cool stuff. Where the story stumbles is in the telling--as books, the Hitchhiker's Guide was foremost about goofy and brilliant ideas that raised questions about our place in the universe while getting a laugh. The movie has enough trouble figuring out how to get the characters from one fantastical location to the next that Adams's funniest concepts often feel left in the dust. While the reverence the filmmakers felt toward Adams's legacy is apparent, one wonders what we could have expected had the creator of this science fiction universe lived to see it with his own eyes. -- Ryan Boudinot

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars HEY! are all those other movies boring you? watch this one instead!.......2007-06-15

    it goes without saying: the more original the novel, the higher expectations are for the movie adaptation. douglas adams shares the rarest of company, with vonnegut being the only contemporary peer and source of inspiration that im aware of (if you know others, please recommend them!) thankfully, hitchhikers delivers on screen, accurately capturing the feel of the book, even with the standard deviation and dilution of plot and character. narrated excerpts from the guide, necessary for an authentic hikers experience, are brilliant in content and execution. if i really wanted to find fault, id say that zaphods part was a bit overacted and marvins a tad underacted. but the film is so much fun that its easy to overlook any minor shortcomings. how often do you find a movie with above average intelligence that doesnt take itself too seriously and makes you laugh for days after its over? also contributing greatly to my judgment of overall satisfaction and life enhancement is the fact that many lines are conveniently quotable when a) goofing off with a few friends, b) taking a shower (with or without a few friends) or c) begrudgingly dealing with the everyday frustrations and activities of an all too banal, conformist society, which elevates vacuous filth and garbage above anything of actual merit or significance.

    if youre not familiar with the hitchhikers guide, id describe the movie as somewhat of a marriage between "i love huckabees" (more of the intellectual approach) and the tv series "scrubs" (more on the goofy side, as if you didnt know) with a sci-fi setting. take note: the emphasis is on the fiction, with the science being loosely (albeit cleverly) applied, so dont take it too seriously! if you start analyzing everything as if its star trek, youll completely miss the point, only part of which is to poke fun at the constipated nature of the sci-fi majority. and if you like the movie, by all means read the book. its 2764.31910283387400183401448308238532722014869088173775898283 times smarter, funnier and betterer...

    4 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING REMAKE.......2007-06-13

    The original BBC Hitchhikers guide was wonderful fun with a low budget. This film gives it the updated graphics and more to make it even better. A funny adventure from beginning to end. Martin Freeman plays Arthur Dent perfectly. The entire cast performs so well and have great chemistry. Mos Def as Ford was brilliant and what more can be said for the President of the Galaxy. The humor and the graphics make this a perfect movie to see for all sci fi lovers.

    5 out of 5 stars Fun Adventurous Movie.......2007-06-12

    First off, I am not going to give a synopsis of the movie - then you wouldn't need to watch it. I will say that based on the reviews I have read, if you liked the book or Mini-Series, maybe you should shy away from this movie. I myself have not read the book so I am like most people. My entire family loved this movie and my kids watch it over and over again. This is good news given that my kids are usually bored 5 minutes into any task they take on. The characters in this movie work well together and the movie makes you feel good from start to finish.
    As a lover of all things Sci-Fi I found this movie to fit the bill perfectly. It would be a shame if you didn't watch this movie simply because the original book fans were disappointed. Try it out, and I would bet you like it (better the second time around).

    5 out of 5 stars So long, and thanks for all the fish..........2007-05-23

    I was prepared to be disappointed at the feature movie version of the infamous book (and later BBC mini-series, available elsewhere on DVD), but I was pleasantly surprised and delighted with this "version." I read the book a long, long time ago, and wasn't that impressed with the TV version, which is perhaps why, after so many years, I was ready to be disappointed. Could "Hollyweird" really do justice to dim, confusing but challenging memories of the original text? And ideas, and visuals inside my head? In less than two hours? The answers to all, a thumbs way up yes!

    Some "purists" have dissed this film, but for anyone with a more casual approach, this is not only a great version of the book (and puts the TV series to shame in all ways except length, imho), it's a great introduction to some rather mind-expanding ideas, most of which are still present after all of these years, for those who may never have pondered seriously the answer to the question "What is the meaning of life?"

    It's 42, of course.

    This film (version) of the original book, works on so many levels, it's hard to know where to begin. For those unfamiliar with the whole concept, the condensed movie-movie is entertaining from beginning to end, even if you wind up asking yourself what the bleep has been going on throughout. This makes this version good for repeated viewings, and if one likes this, a must buy DVD, aside from the extras. For those who either read the book long ago or saw the TV series, the jury may be out, and it all depends on your taste. And your expectations. Having had fond memories of the long-distant book, and not too favorable feelings about the TV series, I really liked this. It brought back, in a short time, a lot of what impressed me in younger dayz.

    The movie tells the story of an "everyman" suddenly swept up in a cosmic adventure, where he finds the most strange things, and where the true nature of the universe is revealed, piece by piece. The beginning titles and sequences with the dolphins and the catchy "So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish" song are perfect. Within a short time, our hero is sent on a wild ride, with constantly changing characters and settings, all done with extremely good CGI. The bulk of the film itself slows down in some parts, and is totally confusing and weird for weird sake in others, but overall, even a caveman can do it! That is, "get" the main gist here by the end. An ending which is a quick montage and replaying of the fish song, and couldn't have been better.

    Fans of serious sci-fi need to look elsewhere, as this is much more a work of fantasy, however, as the two genres often interact, this really doesn't disappoint on either level, even if doesn't entirely (at times) satisfy either. But I'm not going to carp. Truth is, sci-fi fan or fantasy fan, the mixture here adds up to a fun experience throughout, and has what I think is the most important feature of any movie and/or DVD. If you like it at first viewing, you'll want to own the thing, to watch it and parts, again, and again.

    The special effects in this are great, though not perfect. The music is good, especially the title and ending song. All the actors here do a subtle but effective job, with a standout being that from wholesome babe Zooey Deschanel. The constantly depressed robot is also consistenly funny, till the end. Along the way, we are swept away in a totally weird world (the galaxy, and universe to be precise), seeing all the wonders and madness both first person and third (and second I guess, somewhere along the way), meeting with and existing alongside many strange characters and things from beginning to end.

    This film works in the long run, because it never really takes itself too seriously, just like the book and general original "thesis." That is, that we are but tiny little insignificant organisms in a greater cosmos, one in which, almost anything one can imagine, might actually be reality, in a semi-serious, or wacky beyond our real understanding way. I was rather torn about giving this a five star rating. Four might be better appropriate, since not everyone might get what this is all about. And there are some slow spots. But going back to my expectations, this film really works on multi-levels, for those both unfamiliar with the book and ideas, and for those with a more casual interest.

    While the TV series (and DVD) may deal with the book's original material much more thoroughly, this condensed version is just about the best I had hoped for from the studio system. It's entertaining, period, from beginning to end, and aside from minor flaws, has become one of my favorite movies. And one of the best sci-fi/fantasy efforts from Hollywood in a long, long time.

    4 out of 5 stars nice funny movie.......2007-05-12

    the movie follows the book up to one point, then changes the script completely. If you dont mind aout that, then you canb enjoy an original and fun comedy

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