We saw the Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy (H2G2) movie yesterday. Since then, I've been signing "So long and thanks for all the fish"...
I say it every time and I'll say it again: life is so much better when you can manage expectations!
So fans of H2G2, keep your expectations in check.
I saw the movie with two girls who have had very little contact with H2G2. The three of us have this exposure to the H2G2 universe: I read the books something like four times, I own the DVD of the TV show and I recently listened to the first season of the radio show (thanks Yanik!); Vero has kinda seen the TV show (a bunch of us watched it late one night) and has read about ten pages of the first book; Sandra has had no contact with the franchise, other than my little descriptions.
We all really enjoyed the movie.
It's a great movie (and fans will be happy to know it stems from Adams' screenplay) to be enjoyed by the whole family. People who have read the books will enjoy it. People who do not know the story will enjoy it. Kids of all ages will enjoy it. Wives will enjoy it. Pets will not understand it, but will enjoy trying to catch the mice.
But fans: manage your expectations!
If you've read the book, seen the TV show and heard the radio show (not necessarily in that order), you know that each reincarnation of the story is different. Adams describes it best when he writes:
some of the characters behave in entirely different ways and others behave in exactly the same ways but for entirely different reasons, which amounts to the same thing but saves rewriting the dialogue.
The movie is the story of H2G2, but not a direct application of the radio show, books or TV show. In many ways, the movie flatly contradicts everything else. But that's where expectations are so crucial: don't expect to see a movie that reads as the book (if you want that, they have audio books available). It's a totally different incarnation of the story.
Taking it as it is, a new foray into the world of H2G2 (and this wonderfully deranged mind of Adams), this movie is absolutely amazing. I am definitely getting the DVD.
As a fan, I know that Douglas Adams would have loved how the movie turned out. I am convinced it is exactly how he pictured it in his mind and for that I thank everyone that was involved in making the movie.
Movie notes: They actually put the original theme music in the movie! Also, look for a brief cameo from TV's Marvin.
