The Hitchhicker Guide to the Galaxy (2005) (Film Review)

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005) The film version of the famous sci-fi novel by Douglas Adams. It’s not bad… but tiring! I had already seen this film when it came out in the cinema. It didn’t leave me with an incredible memory. And yet I love British humour! I saw it again recently and I think maybe you need to be familiar with the series or the book to fully appreciate this universe. It’s quite funny and improbable at first, and there are some really hilarious scenes… but it goes too far in all directions and you have to hang on. Or accept that you’re probably not going to understand anything!

John Malkovich only makes a brief appearance, but it’s always a pleasure to see this actor who always changes his face, but whom you always recognise, whatever happens. What charisma that man has! Alan Rickman: all you hear is his voice, and that’s a pleasure in itself. He brings a lot of life to this depressive robot. When he’s in the same film as Bill Nighy, it’s always a good sign. I’m really going to miss this actor. I miss him already. RIP! Bill Nighy is always impeccable. Sadly, we don’t see much of him in this film.

Sam Rockwell!The idea of the President of the Galaxy is funny, but ultimately pointless. It doesn’t add much to the story. When I first saw this film, I didn’t know this actor. He went on to make an impression on me in his roles in The Green Line, Charlie’s Angels, Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind (“Confessions of a Dangerous Man” in french) and Seven Psychopaths, where he often played disturbing, even frightening roles. As usual, he’s as annoying here as he’s ever been. One hell of an actor!

Zooey Deschanel, a very good musician, as well as being a great actress in series and films. She doesn’t have her usual charm here… and that’s also talent. That said, I found the main character bland and it’s not the best English actor they’ve chosen for the role. Either the author wanted a character like that, or this actor was overwhelmed by the role.

A fun film that’s easy to watch. Worth seeing again if you want to find out more, because there’s a lot to see. But not essential to my film collection.

My Rating