The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
cast: some British folk
The good: weird British humor
The bad: pointless
The Brits are famous for having some of the weirdest and at times dryest humor around. And it's of n0 wonder that many of their films characterize that distinct national penchant. H2G2 continues that fine English tradition whilst carrying a surprisingly (and quite awkwardly) heavy baggage of philosophical banter.
Earth is about to be demolished in favor of building a sort-of interstellar highway. We find out later that the order came haphazardly from the new galaxy president - a flamboyant, ego-centric, weirdo who signed the order thinking it was for an autograph. Ford Prefect, an alien stranded in the planet sees a chance to finally get out of the planet when the demolition ships arrive. He brings along Arthur Dent, an 'earthman' who saved his life when he unknowingly tried to shake hands with a rampaging car.
They journey across the galaxy with the aforementioned galactic president along with a female earthling who, as the film progresses, cheesily becomes Arthur's love interest. There's also a depressed robot with a big head. Too bad he's (or it) not used too often or too effectively in the film.
I'm not sure of the origin of the film but what the film is is an all-too brave and slightly offensive spoof of philosophy and contemporary history and society. Everything is fair game and that includes making fun of George Bush (not unusual, though), some random poet, and most controversial of all, God and religion. And for someone like me who's really into that lifestyle, the film leaves a very bitter taste - something the otherwise generally unoffensive humor cannot wash out.
As the team travels the stars and explores different planets, the film forgets its points and its plots and seems to just be content of unraveling a very pointless climax. In a way, the film does accomplish what it set out to do, that is to poke fun at everything it seems to hate. Unfortunate, because a philosophy and controversy-free galactic comedy would have been more effective. (2/5)
The good: weird British humor
The bad: pointless
The Brits are famous for having some of the weirdest and at times dryest humor around. And it's of n0 wonder that many of their films characterize that distinct national penchant. H2G2 continues that fine English tradition whilst carrying a surprisingly (and quite awkwardly) heavy baggage of philosophical banter.
Earth is about to be demolished in favor of building a sort-of interstellar highway. We find out later that the order came haphazardly from the new galaxy president - a flamboyant, ego-centric, weirdo who signed the order thinking it was for an autograph. Ford Prefect, an alien stranded in the planet sees a chance to finally get out of the planet when the demolition ships arrive. He brings along Arthur Dent, an 'earthman' who saved his life when he unknowingly tried to shake hands with a rampaging car.
They journey across the galaxy with the aforementioned galactic president along with a female earthling who, as the film progresses, cheesily becomes Arthur's love interest. There's also a depressed robot with a big head. Too bad he's (or it) not used too often or too effectively in the film.
I'm not sure of the origin of the film but what the film is is an all-too brave and slightly offensive spoof of philosophy and contemporary history and society. Everything is fair game and that includes making fun of George Bush (not unusual, though), some random poet, and most controversial of all, God and religion. And for someone like me who's really into that lifestyle, the film leaves a very bitter taste - something the otherwise generally unoffensive humor cannot wash out.
As the team travels the stars and explores different planets, the film forgets its points and its plots and seems to just be content of unraveling a very pointless climax. In a way, the film does accomplish what it set out to do, that is to poke fun at everything it seems to hate. Unfortunate, because a philosophy and controversy-free galactic comedy would have been more effective. (2/5)
posted by NaCl at Sunday, June 26, 2005
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