Rating: Summary: Thanks for all the fish! Review: This video belongs in the collection of any fan of sci-fi, British Comedy, or the bizarre. I've read the book and heard the radio version, and except for the fact that the book is always better than the movie, this production is great fun. Some may find the special effects a bit cheap, but remember, this is TV, not Star Wars. Have fun with it!. The only reason I don't give it five stars is that it squeezes all the episodes onto one tape, which decreases picture clarity. I hope they re-dub it onto DVD or onto two tapes with episode divisions intact.
Rating: Summary: Let's Admit It Review: --this tv movie is long, embarrassingly poorly produced, often silly beyond redemption, yet , at times, utterly hilarious, giving glimpses of what could have been a comic masterpiece. I will admit, I had a hard time reading the books; somehow the English dry/bizarre humor escaped me. Not until I saw this movie did it really begin to hit me, so for that reason I really LIKE this movie, despite its flaws. It is good natured, does not take itself too seriously, and, of course, the story is great. If ONLY the actual citations to the H.G. itself were longer: they were priceless. The video is (depending on your finances) worth purchasing just for those, as well as the scene at the Restaurant at the End of the Universe. Will the rumored movie attain the genius that is intermittently seen herein? I hope so. Especially since, sadly, Mr. Adams just passed away at an early age from a heart attack. A really good movie of his work would be a nice going away gift. And I have a feeling he'll be laughing it up in Heaven, saying something like "You just couldn't wait until they made a really GOOD movie from my book, could You?"
Rating: Summary: Mostly Harmless...... :-) Review: If you've read the books, you might be a little disappointed (I was). When you read a book - you have in your mind what you think the characters would be like. I was really annoyed that Trillian was portrayed as a dingy sex pot (I always imagined her played by someone more like a Sigourney Weaver type. Zaphod was another bummer. Also, what it it with that cow??? Yuck! Even my daughter was moaning. Arthur Dent was great and so was Startibartfast. This ain't Star Wars - it's a low (very low) budget production (made for television), and some of the costuming, scenes, etc. are laughable (remember the Ed Wood movies???). Once you get over that though - and accept it for what it is - it's easier to live with. Was it worth the purchase? Yes. It was about 3 hours worth of viewing, and it was fun to relive the books in another media. I really hope they someday make a major (high budget) motion picture of the story. The books were (are) incredible, and an awesome movie could be made from the story. Until then - buy the bbc version - you might cringe and laugh through it, but That's Entertainment! :-)
Rating: Summary: 10/10 For Good Thinking, Minus Several Million for Style Review: First of all, this television series is based more on the RADIO series than the novels, despite what is said on the box. This is a common misconception because the books were so much better, and more popular. This is a low budget production. Once you get over this fact, it does become very enjoyable. Ignore the poor quality sets, and rubbery monsters. Ignore the ridiculous excuse for Zaphod's second head. The dialogue and story line are what makes this film interesting, and what makes it a fine example of comedic science fiction. But you have to see past the production flaws, first. The incomplete narration is annoying, such as when the discovery of the Infinite Improbability Drive is shown. [UPDATE: I later realized that the stereo sound track of my copy was faulty. Others may not have the same problem.] And, for some reason, it was released with low-grade picture quality. These are the reasons I must not give it the highest rating. Otherwise, it is most acceptable. I am still looking forward to the new movie to be directed by Jay Roach (Austin Powers) in 2002 or 2003. [UPDATE: Looks like the movie may take a little while longer than a 2003 release.]
Rating: Summary: MOVIES THEY PLAY IN HELL Review: I read the first three books in Mr. Adams' series and found them very interesting, but not outstanding. I rented the movie and I was absolutely repulsed by the low-quality of EVERYTHING. There is this one scene where some people are talking to the computer and the computer talks in his mechanical voice. But the problem is that the voice is so mechanical YOU CAN'T HEAR WHAT HE'S SAYING. You actually NEED closed-captioning to understand certain parts. The acting was dreadful, nothing worthy of an Oscar. And though the books were hilariously funny in certain parts, I didn't even GRIN at ANYTHING. Instead, I GRIMACED. Might I also add that the movie is DREADFULLY LOOOOOONG. Even if it were funny it'd be too long. If you want to see this movie done right, why don't you petition a major movie company. You'd be better off spending your time doing that than watching this TERRIBLE book-to-movie adaptation. Only people who worship Douglas Adams could even REMOTELY give this movie 4 or 5 stars.
Rating: Summary: inferior quality release of this classic series Review: The producers recorded this at the EP setting. In addition, large pieces of the narration are missing - for example, the explanation of the invention of the infinite improbability drive, and the discussion of the planet Bethselamin. In any case, the film should have been released on DVD! That said, it is worth seeing, but not buying.
Rating: Summary: fourTEEtwo? Review: I loved both the book and the all-in-one edition video. Slardibartfast rules! My favorite character overall is the immortal who decided to spend eternity insulting everyone in the universe that ever lived or ever will live in alphabetical order. I wish they'd republish the original six volume set of the TV series. There are cool things within the credits between episodes not included in the all-in-one. See you at Milleeways (excuse the spelling, please).
Rating: Summary: Great Storyline! Review: I read the books long ago, but when I saw that british movieabout 10 years ago on TV. Well, I believe it was a TV series in 6 episodes. I loved it so much I ordered it from here! The plot is brilliant... Have fun in disbelief like Arthur Dent. And overall: Don't Panic END
Rating: Summary: It's not the book Review: While the book was great, the movie was somewhat lacking. I had never even heard about before stumbling across it a few weeks ago. Do yourself a favor and read the book, but forget about watching the movie.
Rating: Summary: "DON'T PANIC" Review: "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a truly remarkable book." If you want to understand it, stick a bablefish in your ear. Zany science fiction. Truly hilarious. Any questions, ask Zaphod Beeblebrox or Slarty Bartfast.
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