On several occasions, I think having read the book which inspired this movie may have enhanced my enjoyment of it. I found many people in the cinema laughing out loud, while I was simply oddly amused; probably because THEY read the book.

“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” is based on the legendary cult followed novel by Douglas Adams, which actually inspired a BBC TV mini series as well. The story is about Arthur Dent, played by Martin Freeman (Love Actually), who’s friend named Ford Perfect, played by Mos Def (The Woodsman), tells him he’s an alien from another planet and the Earth has ten minutes before it is destroyed. That’s the picture’s opening minutes, so there’s a pretty good grabber.

Ford takes Dent into space, hitchhiking with whatever space vehicle passes by. During which time, Dent is given a guide for galaxy hitchhikers, hence the title, which stops the movie in spots to explain unusual little tidbits about the galaxy depicted in this galaxy. Stephen Fry (BBC TV’s Black Adder) voices the narration of the guide.

Eventually, Dent and Ford are picked up by galaxy president Zaphod Beeblebrox, played by Sam Rockwell (The Green Mile), and the adorable girl Trillian, played by Zooey Deschanel (Eulogy). Trillian, an Earth girl, once had a flirtatious evening with Dent on Earth, and they remember each other instantly.

The entire group, including the super depressed robot Marvin, voiced by Alan Rickman (Harry Potter movies), spends the rest of the movie following Beeblebrox on his retarded quest to find “the perfect question,” so he can receive “the perfect answer.”

The picture was very smart, for the most part. The interceding moments when the guide explained certain characters and props were very humorous.

I felt every actor did well in the picture, with the exception of Deschanel. She was SO cute, but she gave nothing to the role as a character. She gave the same performance I’ve seen her give in any other movie. I did this girl, but she has yet to so me range as an actor.

My biggest problem with the movie was, I definitely felt like an outsider. While other people found the picture hilarious, cause they read and were fans of the book, I was left raising my eyebrows, unsure why certain lines and actions were “ha-ha” funny.

The book’s author, Douglas Adams, also developed the screenplay with co-writer Karey Kirkpatrick (Chicken Run, The Little Vampire). The only problem I had with the writing of the picture was, Dent was the only character who had growth. Every other character had the same outlook on life walking in as they did walking out, even Trillian, who had room to learn something more about herself.

Rockwell was a highlight in the ensemble cast. However, Beeblebrox’s shtick got old quick, since I didn’t even know what was going on with the two head thing. The film did poorly to explain it, and filmmakers let the book fill in the gaps in this instance.

I actually enjoyed the picture pretty well; I just can’t rate it very high. Anyone who knows me knows I don’t appreciate movies that can’t stand alone from the material which inspired it, like a book or a play. That doesn’t include sequels, otherwise “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” made NO sense standing on its own.

If you read the book, judging by the audience responses, you should find this pretty funny. If you’re like me, you may like it, but it won’t find its way into your home DVD library. As a movie, it is amusing and smart, but not all that entertaining for those of us outside “the know.”

Benn - Where's the Humanity?

I liked this movie more than Benn. Although I think you definitely need to read the book to understand all of the jokes, it is funny and you don't need to know the book to like the movie.

I enjoyed the story and the original idea of how the universe is created, very 1980's. I also loved that the narration explains that humans are the third most intelligent animal on the planet and how the Dolphins are number 2. Just good original humor.

I also enjoyed the acting by Martin Freeman (Shaun of the Dead) playing Arthur Dent. His timing was good and he was quite funny as the desperately confused nerdy hero. Mos Def was okay but he did seem a little out of place in a science fiction movie.

Overall, I say see this movie at least until Star Wars comes out, else rent it on DVD.

Brian - the Naked Gun