An Improbable Adventure
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Review Review by Ross Anthony

Besides being a rather odd film itself, reviewing it (for me at least) is a bit odd as well. Why? Well for one, I know Richard (good friend of Douglas Adams), a very friendly chap, who incidentally heads up www.h2g2.com (the BBC Website founded by Douglas). And secondly, I, myself, have written a book that readers have compared to "Hitchhiker's Guide."

So for these reasons, I found myself struggling to remain objective and open-minded. Though such an effort was noble, I mentally chastised myself: "If I'm struggling to remain objective that likely means I'm failing at it."

The above qualifications stated, I'll try my best to review the film for you. With the whimsy and surreal funnery of "Time Bandits" and the bureaucratic threat of "Brazil" this film hyperblasts to the screen. (Oh, my goodness, does this mean the director of those two films, Terry Gilliam, was greatly influenced by "Hitchhikers?" If so I'll have a third reason not to be objective: I'm a huge Terry Gilliam fan.) "Hitchhikers" tangents through the galaxy through a comedy of errors (or "improbabilities" more correctly) while some search for answers, others seek the exact right question, and still others just try to hang onto their bath towels. It's good fun, doesn't take itself too seriously, but doesn't strike the emotive or the thinking bone too hard either.

Smashing performances by Zooey Deschanel and Mos Def. And while Sam Rockwell is very David Lee Roth (of the old Van Halen) bouncing like a pinball around the space ship, I kept wanting Owen Wilson in that role.

Amusing, but somehow not quite gripping or quenching, I'm tempted to give it a B, but I fear I'm unfairly biased, so I'll wimp out and make that a B+ (with qualifications).

(Interestingly enough, before it was a book, Adams had written "Hitchhikers" as a BBC radio play.)


  • The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Touchstone Copyright © 2005.
  • Starring Sam Rockwell, Mos Def, Zooey Deschanel, Martin Freeman, Dominiqie Jackson, Bill Nighy.
  • Directed by Garth Jennings.
  • Screenplay by Douglas Adams and Karey Kirkpatrick. Based on the book by Douglas Adams.
  • Produced by Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum, Nick Goldsmith, Jay Roach, Jonathan Glickman at Touchstone/Spyglass/Hammer and Tongs/Everyman.

Grade..........................B+ (2.5/4)

Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.

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Last Modified: Saturday, 16-Sep-2006 08:08:58 PDT