The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

There is no telling how great this movie could have been if it was made back in the late 70's by our good friends from Monty Python. That's right, the ridiculously funny Pythons kicked around the idea for make this movie way back in the day, shortly after it was written, but ultimately decided against it. Too bad, cause a little but of Monty Python is exactly what this movie needed. That's not to say that I didn't like the movie, because I did. I just felt like there was a great movie in there somewhere that never got to shine through. The main thing I felt this movie needed was more humor, which I hear the book had in spades, and I am pretty sure the great Terry Gilliam and the rest of the Pythons could have fixed. I guess I should quit speculating about what this movie could have been and tell you about what it is. What it is, is a good movie. Never great, but never bad. A very likeable movie. This very out there movie starts with an everyman (Martin Campbell) trying to stop his home from being demolished to make room for a highway, which he ultimately fails at. Luckily for him, the world is also scheduled for demolision, also to make room for an intergalactic highway. Also lucky for him, his best friend (Mos Def) happens to be an alien on earth doing research for the next installment of The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, a sort of futuristic encyclopedia. They get off Earth just in time, but that is just the beginning of the story. The come across all kinds of fun and hilarious things ranging from a paranoid android (light bulb going off over the head of Radiohead fans) to a field of fly swaters to the president of the universe (who actually makes Bush seem competent, no small feat) to talking mice. The reason the movie works, even with its faults is the great premise and the solid acting from actors who are perfectly cast. Mos Def as the friendly alien sidekick with an infatuation with towels and Sam Rockwell as the dimwitted president of the universe are both fantastic with tricky characters. Campbell does a solid job as the poor schlub throw into a situation he knew he couldn't handle and Zooey Deschanel also does well as his love interest. My personal favorite however was Marvin the paranoid android, voiced hilariously by Alan Rickman. He's was given human like feelings, but was only a prototype and he became a manic depressive, he steals the movie. The film needed some more humor and tended to jump around some, but over all was enjoyable. I am just curious what a director like Terry Gilliam or Jay Roach could have done with this material, as opposed to a guy who made a few Blur videos. Regardless though, it's worth checking out.