Arthur Dent is having a bad day. He’s lost his girl. His house has been demolished. And his best friend isn’t actually an out-of-work actor, but a hitchhiking space-travelling journalist from another planet.
However the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy states: “things are not always what they seem”. And it’s true, in precisely twelve minutes Arthur will discover that events have actually worked in his favour. Indeed, as Earth is destroyed he’ll be rather glad not to be there.
On his travels with Ford Prefect, (Mos Def) Arthur (Martin Freeman) is reunited with Tricia McMillian (Zooey Deschanel), meets the Galactic President, Zephod Beeblebrox, (Sam Rockwell) and has a fish forcibly inserted into his left ear.
First-time director Garth Jennings handles Douglas Adams’ original material with assurance and respect. However the film is somewhat hamstrung by Adam’s wildly inventive material and also suffers from having an underdeveloped love story.
These small reservations aside, there’s a lot to like about Hitchhiker’s Guide. There’s a very amusing opening sequence and plenty of running jokes. Freeman is believable and occasionally disarming as the nervous and reserved Arthur. Rockwell is fun to watch as the charming, yet utterly self-involved Zephod. While Mos Def, Zooey Deschanel, Stephen Fry, Alan Rickman and Bill Nighy all make the most of their supporting roles.
Hitchhiker’s Guide even rewards a second viewing and is a wild ride that will have you laughing all the way to the restaurant at end of the universe. Book your table now.
Rating: 4 Thumbs Up
