and mine were plenty low when I watched "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." Despite this modest anticipation I couldn't help but be disappointed with the product. I suppose my love of the book has necessarily clouded my judgment, but nevertheless here is my attempt at an objective review.
I was encouraged during the opening credits to see (author) Douglas Adams' heavy involvement with the film, he is credited with co-writing the screenplay and acting as executive producer. These activities however began years ago, prior to Adams' death in 2001 (he wasn't even fifty years old).
I was also excited to see that the production staff included Jay Roach, Roger Birnbaum, and other talented folks who have delivered a good deal of quality product to theaters. Although I was previously unfamiliar with director Garth Jennings, I was very familiar with legendary casting director Susie Figgis, so I was in no way surprised to with the fine ensemble cast tasked with bringing the novel to life.
What I found interesting about the cast was fact that only Arthur Dent and Marvin the robot are English. One might have expected Ford Prefect and Trillian to speak with British accents, but one would have been wrong. All in all, I think that all of the principles did a fine job. Martin Freeman was more than passable as the rumpled, confused, and overly cautious Dent. Mos Def seemed restrained in his portrayal of Ford, which was a major disappointment. Understanding the dynamic nature that the rapper brings to his musical performances, I expected more of that flair in his role as a universe-trotting journalist. It's tough to tell whether this is a function of the direction, the script, or the actor, in any case it was below expectations. Elf's Zooey Deschanel was typically charming as Tricia MacMillan, but there was certainly nothing memorable about her performance.
The best of the major parts was turned in by veteran character actor Sam Rockwell, taking a Clinton-caricature approach to the role of Galaxy President Zaphod Beeblebrox. Rockwell was strong, as always, and sharp in both his verbal and physical comic delivery.
Understanding that it is challenging, even daunting to take such a familiar text to the screen, I was impressed with many of the special effects and visuals. Having said that Karey Kirkpatrick's (James and the Giant Peach, Chicken Run, et al) screenplay fell short of capturing some of the important elements of the original text, while adding components that took the film in uncomfortable directions.
The lesson here is one that Hollywood never seems to grasp, that some books are better left alone.
I was encouraged during the opening credits to see (author) Douglas Adams' heavy involvement with the film, he is credited with co-writing the screenplay and acting as executive producer. These activities however began years ago, prior to Adams' death in 2001 (he wasn't even fifty years old).
I was also excited to see that the production staff included Jay Roach, Roger Birnbaum, and other talented folks who have delivered a good deal of quality product to theaters. Although I was previously unfamiliar with director Garth Jennings, I was very familiar with legendary casting director Susie Figgis, so I was in no way surprised to with the fine ensemble cast tasked with bringing the novel to life.
What I found interesting about the cast was fact that only Arthur Dent and Marvin the robot are English. One might have expected Ford Prefect and Trillian to speak with British accents, but one would have been wrong. All in all, I think that all of the principles did a fine job. Martin Freeman was more than passable as the rumpled, confused, and overly cautious Dent. Mos Def seemed restrained in his portrayal of Ford, which was a major disappointment. Understanding the dynamic nature that the rapper brings to his musical performances, I expected more of that flair in his role as a universe-trotting journalist. It's tough to tell whether this is a function of the direction, the script, or the actor, in any case it was below expectations. Elf's Zooey Deschanel was typically charming as Tricia MacMillan, but there was certainly nothing memorable about her performance.
The best of the major parts was turned in by veteran character actor Sam Rockwell, taking a Clinton-caricature approach to the role of Galaxy President Zaphod Beeblebrox. Rockwell was strong, as always, and sharp in both his verbal and physical comic delivery.
Understanding that it is challenging, even daunting to take such a familiar text to the screen, I was impressed with many of the special effects and visuals. Having said that Karey Kirkpatrick's (James and the Giant Peach, Chicken Run, et al) screenplay fell short of capturing some of the important elements of the original text, while adding components that took the film in uncomfortable directions.
The lesson here is one that Hollywood never seems to grasp, that some books are better left alone.