Thumbs out

I don’t expect movies to be as fulfilling as the books they are based on. I only hope that my prejudiced eye (one that has the book as a constant reference point) can enjoy the film without groaning about blatant divergence from the feel of the book. At least, that is what I hoped for in The Hithchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. The movie could not possibly encompass the breadth of Douglas Adams’ ludicrousness (ludicrousness?), but once I had seen it I knew at least that it had tried to be true to the book’s craziness, and ended up doing a pretty good job.
The casting I thought was pretty good, though I was disappointed that none of the characters (barring possibly Arthur) got an opportunity to develop and be on display. (You never felt enough of Ford’s insouciance, for one) And though the plot ended up being little like the book, it still felt it was- which was fine by me. Without doubt what I remember most was the heart-warmingly accurate and skilful end product, that Marvin the Paranoid Android was. His body language was near perfect, and the gentle paunch in his metallic frame was a great touch. But Alan Rickman’s voice- that was what made Marvin just so perfect.
Easily the best thing I came away with from the film.

Now I can trudge off to read some real reviews. This, by the way is a good film site.