SimplyScripts Discussion Board
Blog Home - Produced Movie Script Library - TV Scripts - Unproduced Scripts - Contact - Site Map
ScriptSearch
Welcome, Guest.
It is March 29th, 2024, 9:22am
Please login or register.
Was Portal Recent Posts Home Help Calendar Search Register Login
Please do read the guidelines that govern behavior on the discussion board. It will make for a much more pleasant experience for everyone. A word about SimplyScripts and Censorship


Produced Script Database (Updated!)
One Week Challenge - Who Wrote What and Writers' Choice.


Scripts studios are posting for award consideration

Short Script of the Day | Featured Script of the Month | Featured Short Scripts Available for Production
Submit Your Script

How do I get my film's link and banner here?
All screenplays on the simplyscripts.com and simplyscripts.net domain are copyrighted to their respective authors. All rights reserved. This screenplaymay not be used or reproduced for any purpose including educational purposes without the expressed written permission of the author.
Forum Login
Username: Create a new Account
Password:     Forgot Password

SimplyScripts Screenwriting Discussion Board    Reviews    Movie, Television and DVD Reviews  ›  The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Moderators: Nixon
Users Browsing Forum
No Members and 9 Guests

 Pages: 1, 2 » : All
Recommend Print
  Author    The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy  (currently 1320 views)
Alan_Holman
Posted: April 29th, 2005, 9:44pm Report to Moderator
Guest User



The new movie is amazing!  I say new because the BBC produced a television version in the early eighties.  The television version was made into a spectacular three and a half hour long videotape that is exactly as hard to find as it is fun to watch, and it is VERY fun to watch.  I've seen the three and a half hour long videotape, and so I can tell you quite honestly that this new film told the exact some story -- with slight enhancements -- in a far quicker manner.  People criticise the BBC version for looking very low budget; however, in my opinion, the low budget sets and effects ENHANCED the understated comedy stylings of Douglas Adams, and so I was pleased to see that SOME of the sets and effects were quite cheap in this newer version also.  But this newer version had a good mix of cheap stuff and expensive stuff.  The Starship Heart of Gold was cheap and corny, but strangely reminiscent of early Star Wars films; meanwhile, the Magrathean Planet Factory sequence, for example, was insanely high budget and well done, and that sequence is probably where the filmmakers spent most of their money.  The movie went seamlessly from one event to the next -- one danger to the next -- like Star Wars at its prime.  Also like Star Wars ... well ... the mean nasty aliens called Vogons were puppets from the Jim Henson Creature Shop, the same people who made Yoda for the original Star Wars Trilogy, and so -- like Yoda in the original trilogy -- the aliens looked good and more realistic than the computer animated Yoda of the newer Star Wars films.  And the comparison to Star Wars doesn't stop there, because dispite the fact that The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (H2G2) is way more of a comedy than Star Wars will ever be, it featured a tightly knit group of main characters (Arthur, Ford, Zaphod, and Trillian) and their droid (Marvin) on an episodic space opera full of adventure and wonder.  

Umm ... bring "red-and-blue" 3D glasses.  There's a very short scene near the end when they'll be useful.  Now you know.
Logged
e-mail
AmericanSyCo
Posted: April 29th, 2005, 11:40pm Report to Moderator
Guest User



While not bad, I found "HGttG" to be not all that great either.  I should make it clear, though, that I am the 1 in 100 who has never read Douglas Adams' novel.  The main problem was that some scenes would be pitch-perfect while I found that others would fall either completely flat, or, despite the action present, still feel incredibly boring and unfunny.  

When things where being discussed on a philosophical level, I felt very compelled and intune with the film (my favorite part being the tour through the planet factory).  It was during these parts that the movie reached an "I Heart Huckabees" level of importance.  Unfortunately, when things just sort of... happen, I didn't know what to make of it (namely parts such as the falling whale or the whole double head thing).  Not to mention, characters just seem to pop in and out at random moments never to return (namely John Malkovich who plays an interesting cult leader).

But, getting back to the positive aspects, the cast is amazing.  Sam Rockwell steals every scene and Mos Def does a surpisingly great job as well.  Also, the direction from first-timer Garth Jennings is breath taking; I just wish he managed to make a more coherent film.  There isn't a single part in the entire movie where I felt I knew exactly what was going on at all times.

In the end, I will say this: this is the best film I've ever given a **1/2 rating to.  Also, as a bonus, this would be the perfect movie to see if you are completely and utterly stoned out of your mind.

**1/2 out of ****  
Logged
e-mail Reply: 1 - 18
Andy Petrou
Posted: April 30th, 2005, 1:49am Report to Moderator
Been Around



Posts
697
Posts Per Day
0.10
Question to you both, on a side note, how many people brought their towels?   .......I was curious after Alan mentioned it before!!

Andy
x
Logged
Private Message Reply: 2 - 18
Alan_Holman
Posted: April 30th, 2005, 2:30am Report to Moderator
Guest User



I couldn't bring mine, because I was in too much of a hurry to get there on time, but a group of three or four kids (roughly age ten) were in their pyjamas, and they also had towels wrapped around their heads.  If I weren't in such a hurry to get there, I would have liked to have shown similar dedication somehow.    

Now, to comment on AMERICANSYCO's review:

Nothing just "sorta happens."  It only seems that way to you because you've never read the five books.  The movie only included the plot of the first book.  Everything in the movie is connected to something of importance to the plot of the books, even the whale and the bowl of plants.  The sequels will explain everything.  Or, if you can't wait for the sequels, read the books, or listen to the radio series, or even watch the old TV version.  

John Malkovich's character, and his request that they find that gun, was an episode of the story that was unique to the film version.  Douglas Adams specifically gave each version of his story some plotlines that are unique to their format, but everything's connected.  That cult was the Church of the Arkelseisure, and the concept of the Arkelseisure was explained in the movie -- and in the books, and in the DC comic version, and in the radio series, et cetera -- and the scene with that church was justified by the quest for the gun.  That particular gun was not in any other incarnation of this series, but its existance was a brilliant literary tactic which helped Douglas Adams to tie up things that would have otherwise taken up far too much dialogue for a motion picture of any genre other than television soap opera, if you know what I mean.

And of course you didn't know exactly what was going on at all times.  The entire point of the movie is that you shouldn't know.  You're on just as much a journey of discovery as the main character Arthur Dent.  Even he won't fully grasp the situation until near the end of part five, and that's when you will also, and then the story ends.  In the meanwhile, I hope you hitch along for the ride, because it's gonna be hella fun!

If they don't make films of parts 2, 3, 4, and 5, there's something wrong with their brains.

Revision History (1 edits)
Alan_Holman  -  April 30th, 2005, 2:31am
Logged
e-mail Reply: 3 - 18
AmericanSyCo
Posted: April 30th, 2005, 11:57am Report to Moderator
Guest User



I can appreciate the fact that one is not supposed to know exactly what is going on at all times, but I just wish is was more... funny.  I checked my watch at least twenty times in a two hour time span.  As far as reading the books goes, I can't accept that as a defense for a film.  Just take a look at both "Big Trouble" and "The Road to Wellville."  Read those books, and the movies are actually quite funny.  Don't, and you may feel left in the dark.  I was watching a comedian that brought this point up whenever somebody says "the book was better."

"I'm not reading a book.  I'm watching a movie."

Again, I defiantly did not hate this movie.  There was defiantly a level of brilliance (as I stated already, the scene through the planet factory really makes you ponder one's own existence).  Unfortunately, it was the jokes that fell utterly flat that couldn't make this quite as funny as I hoped it would be.  Most of these occur in the flashback sequences which are never nearly as funny as I think the creators thought they were.  Also, Marvin the robot.  Everytime he said anything, the entire audience seemed to erupt with laughter; I just didn't think it was that funny.

Still, I would certainly check out a sequel were one to be made; I just hope they get a better script.

As for the towel question, no, I did not bring one, though I also saw a group of people in their pajamas.

Revision History (1 edits)
Alan_Holman  -  April 30th, 2005, 11:59am
Logged
e-mail Reply: 4 - 18
Alan_Holman
Posted: April 30th, 2005, 4:46pm Report to Moderator
Guest User



I thought the script was great.  Every change from the other versions added foreward momentum to the story.  Each version is a new draft which tightens the story, a fact that's been obvious to me each time I'd encounter a different version.  This was the tightest version yet -- not the tightest version possible, but the tightest version we'll ever see.

Most of what makes the books so good are the author's tendancy to sidetrack himself from the plot, so the movie did a very good job of always moving that plot foreward, and never to the side.
Logged
e-mail Reply: 5 - 18
Edward
Posted: April 30th, 2005, 7:05pm Report to Moderator
New


From now on, I'll connect the dots my own way.

Location
Chicago, Illinois
Posts
34
Posts Per Day
0.00
My review falls somewhere in the middle of Alan and AmericanSyCo's.  Martin Freeman, Mos Def, and John Malkovich did excellent jobs, so did Douglas Adams as the talking head when they arrived at Magrathea (that was him).  They had a lot of fans expectations to live up to and I think they did a really good job.

I had the impression that they rushed through a few parts of the film.  At the end when they are on Earth 2, not enough back story was given to explain the mice.  However, scenes with the Vogons (on their ship and planet) and the planet factory tour was excellent and captured the book’s tone very well.

The whale was put in the movie (and in the book) as something completely unpredictable and funny to establish the Probability Drive storyline.

I found out that my Mom had the aforementioned BBC version, so I watched it before I went to the movie, and I think that the BBC version was better than the film.  They did have three and a half hours, and I guess for a book as good as this one, 104 minutes just isn’t enough.

I would be really cool if they did parts 2-5.  Maybe if HG2G was able to get the number 1 spot they might be more inclined to do it.  Everyone said that XXX Part 2 will be number 1, but the theater I was in was more than half full (70 people) and when we left there was a small line outside.

No one brought a towel or wore their pajamas, you guys must go to cooler theaters than I...

Edward


REPORTING LIVE
An Original Series.

Visit the WEBSITE for the episodes 1-7, in multiple formats.

"The Replacements"
Episode 7
Online Now!

Coming soon: Some spinning, an investigation & a little reality.
Logged Offline
Site Private Message AIM Reply: 6 - 18
Edward
Posted: April 30th, 2005, 7:07pm Report to Moderator
New


From now on, I'll connect the dots my own way.

Location
Chicago, Illinois
Posts
34
Posts Per Day
0.00
Just checking the box office receipts, I think I may be right.

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/daily/chart/


REPORTING LIVE
An Original Series.

Visit the WEBSITE for the episodes 1-7, in multiple formats.

"The Replacements"
Episode 7
Online Now!

Coming soon: Some spinning, an investigation & a little reality.
Logged Offline
Site Private Message AIM Reply: 7 - 18
Edward
Posted: May 3rd, 2005, 1:06pm Report to Moderator
New


From now on, I'll connect the dots my own way.

Location
Chicago, Illinois
Posts
34
Posts Per Day
0.00
Interesting news today from IMDb:

A Five Part Trilogy?

Could The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy become a "trilogy in five parts" like the books? The film, which topped last weekend's box office, is based on the late Douglas Adams's original radio series and subsequent novels, which he described first as a trilogy in four parts, and later as a trilogy in five parts. Although producer Robbie Stamp told today's (Tuesday) Financial Times that he expected that at least three Hitchhiker movies will be produced, Disney exec Robert Mitchell would only say, in an interview with BBC News, that sequels were "a possibility given the wealth of source material, although no decision had yet been made."

**

Well, I guess our wish may come true.

Oh, Andy, did you see the film?  Was #1 in the UK too!

Edward


REPORTING LIVE
An Original Series.

Visit the WEBSITE for the episodes 1-7, in multiple formats.

"The Replacements"
Episode 7
Online Now!

Coming soon: Some spinning, an investigation & a little reality.
Logged Offline
Site Private Message AIM Reply: 8 - 18
Andy Petrou
Posted: May 3rd, 2005, 1:18pm Report to Moderator
Been Around



Posts
697
Posts Per Day
0.10
Hey Edward,

Sadly haven't been to see it yet- was going to wait til the interest dies down and catch a matinee show or something... I get too distracted by others, which is why I haven't been since dec 03   - am glad it went to number one though, can't wait to see it!

Andy x
Logged
Private Message Reply: 9 - 18
Shonagh
Posted: May 4th, 2005, 8:06am Report to Moderator
New


Location
Bolton, England
Posts
83
Posts Per Day
0.01
I went to see the Hitchhikers movie last night, and yeah, it was pretty enjoyable. Got home just in time to see the first episode of the BBC version which they are repeating on TV. I'm sorry but it blew the big budget Hollywood attempt out of the water.
Logged Offline
Private Message Reply: 10 - 18
AmericanSyCo
Posted: May 8th, 2005, 8:59pm Report to Moderator
Guest User



I went to see this one for a second time today, and I have to say, yes, it does work a lot better upon a second viewing.  While I still have a few (albiet much more minor) gripes, my review is raised a 1/2 star (***).
Logged
e-mail Reply: 11 - 18
eljefedetonto
Posted: June 2nd, 2005, 6:03pm Report to Moderator
New


Location
Columbia, MO
Posts
62
Posts Per Day
0.01
I actually saw this a while ago, but never got around to review. First of all, I love Zooey Deschanel, she's so charming in this movie. But I liked the rest of the movie just as well. I didn't know what to expect going in, seeing as I haven't read the books. It was able to keep my interest and enjoyed the philosophical explorations, just as "I Heart Huckabees" did. I also used my instinct to figure out some of the jokes that weren't explained in depth, and they were still funny, like the bit about "ideas" on the Vogon planet. If this movie did anything, it convinced me that I need to go read the series or find a copy of the BBC TV version.

So this wasn't my absolute favorite, but I hope the sequel is better, assuming they go on to make it. 3/5.


Beginnings - It's high school all over again. Seriously. (now fixed and cleaned!)
Logged Offline
Site Private Message AIM Reply: 12 - 18
Alan_Holman
Posted: June 4th, 2005, 3:39am Report to Moderator
Guest User



They'd damn well better make the sequel.  A year before Douglas Adams died, I had a short e-mail conversation with him ( he WAS dna@h2g2.com ).  Anyhoo, I'm familar enough with the source material that I CAN adapt the sequel properly, as a script that won't piss off Douglas Adams' fans, but I'm poor as dirt, so I can't begin until someone assures me that the producer will read it.  I wish someone would trust me with something like that ... I'd show them that they were right to do so.  Now I'm sad.  G'night.
Logged
e-mail Reply: 13 - 18
Impulse
Posted: November 4th, 2005, 10:03pm Report to Moderator
New


Colon Dash Right Parenthesis

Location
MO
Posts
329
Posts Per Day
0.05
I wasn't very interested in it when it came out in theaters but it started playing on PayPerView last week and I finally watched it today and I was so mad at myself that I had waited this long. I had a copy of the book lying around but never got around to reading it, but watching this movie made me search through my closet looking for it, I was that impressed. Especially because Adams wrote the screenplay too, which is almost always good for adaptations. I was impressed with Zooey Deschanel, too, whom I had known before from "The New Guy." The casting was brilliant and the effects were great too. ***/**** (three out of four)
Logged Offline
Site Private Message Reply: 14 - 18
 Pages: 1, 2 » : All
Recommend Print

Locked Board Board Index    Movie, Television and DVD Reviews  [ previous | next ] Switch to:
Was Portal Recent Posts Home Help Calendar Search Register Login

Forum Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post polls
You may not post attachments
HTML is on
Blah Code is on
Smilies are on


Powered by E-Blah Platinum 9.71B © 2001-2006