I just watched Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy! Ask Me Anything!

[zapp]

Amazing, excellent, funny movie. I give it a 10 on a scale of 1-9!

[swag]

1. Wow, really.

Seemed like a tough filmic nut to crack.

Did they get it all in?

[zapp]

4. As much as I remember......I read the book many moons ago

[tridim]

2. Why did all the critics give it a bad review?

Honestly, it seems like everyone (normal people) are saying it's pretty good. All the early reviews I read said it sucked.

[zapp]

5. If you appreciate the humor of Doug Adams, then you'll love it.

[mike6640]

6. haven't seen it yet,

but have heard that if you haven't read the book, you will be a bit lost.

M

[Az]

8. Its a question of who the movie was made for

Sounds like the movie was made for the true fans (yay for us). But this means that the newbies will be a bit lost. If this is the case then its an amazing sacrifice for a Corporation to make. I put it up to the clout that Douglas had and the estate behind him after his passing.

[TahitiNut]

14. That was the critique of "Dune" too.

As a devotee of Herbert, I loved 'Dune' but friends who didn't read the books felt they missed a lot in the dialog. The movie made quick work of material that was far more developed in the book ... bringing many events and narratives up to a bit more than mere backstory. I really appreciated that since it honored the richness of "Dune."

[Az]

15. A fellow fan of Dune

For treatments of loved books I seldom listen to the critics. They are trying to review from the regular person's view. I prefer an artist that presumes the audience brings something to the theater.

[TahitiNut]

16. I think the honor to the spirit and text of "Dune" was excellent ...

... maybe a 9 on a 10-point scale. The only two movies I think did a better job of honoring the book were (definitely) "To Kill a Mockingbird" and (maybe) "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" - even though, in the latter, they departed from the narrative viewpoint of Chief Bromden. (Keysey was pissed about that.)

I was quite pleased with the portrayal of Baron Harkonnen in the movie - just about as corrupt as I envisioned.

I'm looking forward to seeing HGTTG. I won't be too perturbed if they depart from the plot, since my enjoyment came almost solely from the off-beat humor of Douglas Adams in the dialog. It's akin to Monty Python in many ways ... but not quite as deliberately slapstick.

[Az]

18. As a fan of Anime I am very used to shifting plots like that

In the Anime world there is often a return to stories or plots with a different take on them. They shift characters around or change locations. All manner of things. The point is that the focus is on the various characters and how they interact. Putting them through different trials and tribulations is still edifying to fans. Its the personalities we treasure.

[Radio_Lady]

17. My husband and son-in-law saw a preview earlier this week.

My husband was confused for 3/4 of the film and said it was directed only to those who had read the book. (He hadn't.)

My son-in-law said he enjoyed it somewhat, but that there was much more humor in the book than the film revealed. (He HAD read the book.)

Some of the Portland critics savaged the film. I don't plan to see it due to a very busy schedule.

Metacritic gives it a 62 out of 100 (Generally Favorable Reviews)
at:
http://www.metacritic.com/film/titles/hitchhikersguidetothegalaxy

Rotten Tomatoes gives it 6.2 (out of 10 points) at:
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hitchhikers_guide_to_the_galaxy/

We'll see how it does financially this first weekend and ensuing days.

Radio Lady (film reviewer)

[NMDemDist2]

3. woohoo!! that's on my agenda this weekend

I'm going!

thanks for the good review :woohoo:

[derby378]

7. Did Zaphod have one head or two?

[politicat]

11. depends on your definition....

And when.

[zapp]

13. Yes, for awhile.....

[politicat]

9. For long time fans: look at it as another iteration of the story.

Remember, this tale has changed from the original radio broadcasts to the book, from the book to the BBC TV programme, from the TV programme to this film. It was never told the same way twice in the first 3 iterations, so why should it be so now? (Mr. P and I have just had this discussion, after seeing it ourselves.)

Is it all there? Sort of. The bones and the spirit are there, and I think that Mr. Adams would be proud of it. But there are things missing, and things that are subtle, that you might miss if you're not paying attention. (However, I believe that my husband, and probably others, missed a lot from the books, too, so this may be the flaw of interpretation.)

If you're new to HGHG, it's well done, and will be a decent jumping off point. Just don't expect either literal faith to the book or literal faith to the TV series. (Though Marvin I does appear....)

It's a heavily packed 150 pages of type; the fact that they got as much as they did was impressive. And the effects are far less cheesy than early 80's BBC no-budget effects were. That alone helps!

[zapp]

10. Longer review......

It was a bit slow to get started...but once the ball got rolling, it fucking rolled and rolled and rolled. I especially enjoyed the interspersed narrations that captured the interludes in the book. And remember: DON'T PANIC.

The actors were great- it seemed to be a reunion of 'Love, Actually', with the rock n roll star, and the stand-in from the porn studio, but they all were very credible. Top it off with special effex, and you have ba rollicking good time. My kids laughed all the way through, and they each want to read the book now.

[mhr]

12. I Thought It Was Slow And Boring

It was not as good as the BBC TV version.

Graphics were good, but what would you expect in this day and age.

[EstimatedProphet]

19. Did you bring your towel?