The new movie trailer for the much anticipated Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is now available in multiple formats from the official site. Apparently, the release has been moved up from May 5 to April 29.
Here is the direct link: Hitchhiker’s Trailer
As a long-time fan of the series, and having met Douglas Adams years ago after his publication of “Mostly Harmless,” I’m very mucho-mega-excited to see the work finally played out on the big screen. I thought the TV mini-series the BBC did way back in 1981 rocked. It had the right sense of goofy English humor and followed the original trilogy well. Adams originally wrote the Hitchhiker’s Guide as a radio play for the BBC, and the radio cast was (for the most part) reused for the TV series. In fact, the character of “Arthur Dent” was based on the man who played him, Simon Jones, who went to university with Adams.
My thoughts on what looks “right” and “wrong” with this new movie version, based on the trailer and various promo pics:
Cast:
- Arthur Dent is well cast as played by Martin Freeman — he’s appeared in a number of BBC and UK productions, most notably “The Office” (As Tim Canterbury) and “Shaun of the Dead” (as Declan)
- Mos Def is probably ok as Ford Prefect, but I would have preferred they cast someone authentically English for the role.
- Sam Rockwell as Zaphod is likewise an unusual choice, but I’ve liked Rockwell in his various incarnations — he can play dorky to cool in 3 seconds flat.
- I have no opinion on the selection for Trillian; hower I did always imagine her as a snooty English type, perhaps someone like Rachel Weiz (not that Rachel is snooty, mind you.)
Sets and other character effects:
- What I’m assuming is the Heart of Gold looks like the Next Generation’s Enterprise bridge. Which is ok, but I kind of thought it would be shinier.
- The Vogons look right-on
- Marvin the robot, alas, is my biggest problem with the design. He’s played by the diminutive Warwick Davis, who may also be rembered less-than-fondly as an Ewok. This new Marvin looks like a cross between Spaceball’s “White Helmet” troopers and the Sony Qroi robot. Worst of all, he looks cute. That’s just wrong. Marvin is supposed to be a kind of limp, depressing and decidedly uncute robot.
Spaceballs White helmet troops
+
Sony Qrio
=
“New” Marvin
Compared with:
Miniseries Marvin
