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The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy By David DiCerto Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) -- Contrary to T.S. Eliot's prediction that it will end "not with a bang, but a whimper," the world may in fact come to a close with a droll British giggle. At least that's the apocalyptic scenario in "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" (Touchstone), a wacky and whimsical comedy about life, the universe and everything. Based on the hugely popular 1979 sci-fi novel (which had originated as a BBC radio play) of the same name by the late Douglas Adams, the long-in-the-works film adaptation is an entertaining, if occasionally disjointed, potpourri of space adventure, absurdist philosophy and rib-tickling satire. Think "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Independence Day" meet Monty Python. Opening in a present-day suburb of London, the tale centers on one Arthur Dent (Martin Freeman) a glum "ape-descended life-form," who, along with his friend Ford Prefect (Mos Def), escapes an imminently exploding Earth seconds before it is destroyed to make way for a planned interstellar highway. (Dolphins tried to warn humans, but we were too dumb to understand.) The two thumb a ride on one of the demolition vessels piloted by a vile race of aliens called Vogons, renowned for their bureaucratic hang-ups, grumpiness and torturously bad poetry. Luckily, Ford -- actually an extraterrestrial himself -- knows all about Vogons as part of his job as a roaming researcher for the eponymous "Guide," an encyclopedic repository of knowledge that resembles a hand-held computer and contains "everything you need to know about anything" in the cosmos, complete with kooky animated illustrations. After getting booted off the Vogon ship, they are rescued by a passing star cruiser captained by buffoonish galactic president Zaphod Beeblebrox (Sam Rockwell). Also on board is Trillian (Zooey Deschanel), the only other remaining earthling, whom Arthur had met at a party back home. Powered by the ship's "improbability drive," the foursome embarks on a magical mystery tour of the galaxy, encountering one space oddity after another, which, though farcical, lags at times. Traveling with them is scene-stealing Marvin (voiced by Alan Rickman), a chronically depressed robot. Along the way, they discover the answer to the meaning of all existence -- which, if you're curious, is the number 42 -- and that a bath towel is the most useful object in the universe. The performances of the mixed British and American cast are all superb, especially Rockwell and Bill Nighy as Slartibartfast, a member of an advanced alien race in the planet-making business. The film's intellectual brand of humor is decidedly English -- more wickedly clever than howlingly funny, and may not be everyone's cup of tea -- which, as Arthur finds out, is the most hard-to-find beverage in the heavens. Among the more laugh-inducing moments are the opening dolphin sequence narrated by Stephen Fry (to a song called "So Long and Thanks for All the Fish") and a separate sequence that gives new meaning to the term slapstick. Fans of Adams -- who received a screenwriting credit -- will be happy that the movie remains fairly faithful to the flavor and spirit of the book, despite some added plot inventions, culled from Adams' own early script drafts. Other story elements have been curbed considerably. Directed by Garth Jennings, the modestly budgeted film relies more on animatronic puppets (imaginatively rendered by Jim Henson's company) than on the computer-generated creatures of most effects-driven fare. However, the movie gets big bang for its buck, including a visually out-of-this-world sequence in which Slartibartfast gives Arthur a tour of his planetary showroom. Adams was an avowed atheist, but beyond the film's absurdist underpinnings -- which could be interpreted as suggesting that the universe is ultimately meaningless -- little of his personal disbelief leaks onto the screen. However, the author's jaundiced view of religion is evident in the character of Humma Kavula (John Malkovich), the crazed spiritual leader of a cult whose worship mockingly resembles Christian ritual. Oddly, there is also a brief sight gag that involves an object that looks suspiciously like a monstrance, the sacred vessel used to display the Eucharist for veneration. If that indeed was the filmmaker's intent, it would be gravely irreverent and prove that insensitivity can be found throughout the galaxy. The film contains some irreligious humor, comic violence and mildly crude language. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested. - - - DiCerto is on the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. END Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed. CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250 |
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