There are some really high points in this adaptation, and their names are Martin Freeman (Arthur Dent) Alan Rickman (voice of Marvin) and Bill Nighy (Slartibartfast). And let's face it, everyone knows those three are fantastic.
The film draws enough from the books to satisfy fans, and the song So Long (And Thanks For All The Fish) was brilliant.
However, Ford Prefect was a little annoying, although just about watchable. The thing about Zaphod's extra 'face' being under his regular one and his third arm being secret is, however, ludicrous. The actor was fantastic in the role; it's just a shame that the above changes to his character prevented me from really enjoying his performance.
Zooey is a good actress, however I felt she was completely wrong for Trillian and I find her presence ruins whatever scene she happens to be in. Again, let me stress that Zooey herself is a good actress; she's just completely wrong for this part, and that's the problem with this version of Trillian and Ford. Both are played by very good performers; unfortunately they're also played by completely the wrong performers.
There are some other good things - the scene with Arthur and Ford and the babel fish, and the little touches such as the crab that the Vogon smashes (you really do need to be a die-hard fan of the book or radio play to get that reference!) and, of course, the Vogons themselves are fantastically designed - and it's those things and the performance of the other three actors who were perfectly cast which garner it 5/10 from me, if only because 5.5 isn't available as a rating.
The film draws enough from the books to satisfy fans, and the song So Long (And Thanks For All The Fish) was brilliant.
However, Ford Prefect was a little annoying, although just about watchable. The thing about Zaphod's extra 'face' being under his regular one and his third arm being secret is, however, ludicrous. The actor was fantastic in the role; it's just a shame that the above changes to his character prevented me from really enjoying his performance.
Zooey is a good actress, however I felt she was completely wrong for Trillian and I find her presence ruins whatever scene she happens to be in. Again, let me stress that Zooey herself is a good actress; she's just completely wrong for this part, and that's the problem with this version of Trillian and Ford. Both are played by very good performers; unfortunately they're also played by completely the wrong performers.
There are some other good things - the scene with Arthur and Ford and the babel fish, and the little touches such as the crab that the Vogon smashes (you really do need to be a die-hard fan of the book or radio play to get that reference!) and, of course, the Vogons themselves are fantastically designed - and it's those things and the performance of the other three actors who were perfectly cast which garner it 5/10 from me, if only because 5.5 isn't available as a rating.