By Stephen Pytak 

     It's got the end of the world, cool creatures, 
whacked humor and a thumb ring that can help 
you bum a ride on an alien spacecraft. 
     While some Douglas Adams fans have been 
critical, I was not at all bored.
     Honestly, I never got around to reading Adams'
comic sci-fi novels, but I know the titles and remember
some of the ad campaigns when they were released.
Great titles by the way.
     I did see the pilot of a 1981 UK television mini series
of this, the first book. It was kind of talky and low
budget, but it tried to remain faithful to the text, 
including details like why Ford Prefect insisted Arthur
Dent drink so much beer at the outset. It was O.K.
     When I heard about this new film version, I was 
curious. I always thought it would be neat to try to 
bring the story to the big screen somehow.
     And I'm glad the filmmakers didn't cram every 
detail of the book into their 110 minute film. This
way, it kind of comes off a bit more realistic. This
world is alive and kicking, and not bogged down at
all.
     Director Garth Jennings has crafted a
fast-paced, unconventional comic trip through the 
cosmos. And here are a couple of highlights.
     For starters, the crew lucked out by having a
very exceptional cast.
     Our guide, interglactic hitchhiker "Ford Prefect,"
is portrayed as an upbeat, curious adventurer, and
THE definition of Douglas' "Don't Panic" tag,
by Mos Def. He brings a lot of life, humor and cool
to this character. He's got his physical comedy down. 
Def cringes, squirms and appears near faint as he's 
forced to hear a Vogon poetry recital.
     He's also got the Hitchhiking device, which in
the book and other film versions was a little box. Here
it's a thumb ring. Smart. This, of course, is thanks
to the prop department, but it's really cool. Wish I
had one.
    Then there's Sam Rockwell, who got top billing
on the film. That's probably because he steals almost
every scene he's in. I haven't seen all of his films. My
favorite up until now was "Confessions of a 
Dangerous Mind (2002)." But here, he's on fire.
     He's got the role of " Zaphod Beeblebrox,"  
president of the galaxy, who digs outlandish costumes,
dry cereal, watching himself on TV, and an orb-
shaped space craft called "The Heart of Gold," which
he steals for a kick. This guy's also a show off and, for
whatever reason, he's crazy. Stepping into this guy's
boots, Rockwell cut loose and created the most comic role
of his career.
     By the way, Zaphod also has two heads, which share 
one brain. Unlike other film versions, here Zaphod's 
second head isn't planted on his shoulder, making him 
look like something out of George Lucas' cantana. Instead
it's hidden somehow under the chin. The reveal was a nice 
surprise. In a very bizarre scene, Zaphod reluctantly has 
to bid so-long to one of these heads, and half of his brain, 
when John Malkovich steps in with a buzz saw. 
     If the filmmakers decide to make a sequel, which I'm 
guessing would be based on Adams' second book in this
series, "Restaurant at the End of the Universe," I hope
the entire cast returns. Without them, I don't think this film
would have worked as well.
     Now, let's talk a little about creatures, special 
effects, etcetera.
      The Vogons, while disgusting, were really cool
looking, kind of like something which is a cross between
aliens from Luc Besson's "The Fifth Element (1997)" 
and Peter Jackson's "Bad Taste (1987)." They're very
realistic-looking, grotesque, goat-eyed, lazy, bureaucratic 
slugs. I think Jim Henson would have given anything to 
have the Jim Henson's Creature Shop of today working 
for him when he was struggling with "The Dark Crystal 
(1982)."
     The special effects are also tops, and one in particular
has me curious. As our heroes approach the planet 
Magrathea, a holographic message tells them to turn 
around, for the planet is temporarily closed for business.
In the same message, they're also shown images of the 
two rockets that have just been fired at them for non- 
compliance.
     These holographs have a kind of red and blue 3-D
thing going on, and I think if you wear the right kind of
glasses, they'll pop out of the screen. Next time I see it, I'm
going to bring a pair I have and try that.
     Just a note about the music. My wife brought to my 
attention that the so-called "Hitchhiker's Theme" used for 
the 1977 BBC Radio 4 series is used in the film. Adams 
sampled The Eagles' track "Journey to the Sorcerer" for
that. And, yes indeed, it's been included in this new 
incarnation of "Hitchhiker's." We hear it just as Earth 
is imploded. It's a thoughtful banjo strum leading into 
an orchestral adventure theme.
     Speaking of the score, it's not bad. Joby Talbot created
some very memorable tunes. One of my favorites is Track 
18 on the soundtrack CD, "Viltvodle Street Music," an
upbeat mix of keyboards and percussion. It's hard to hear
in the film because it's in the background, while Zaphod
steals the scene showing off with a laser pistol for a group
of Chinese school girls, who kind of seem out of place
here. But then again, in this universe, almost anything
goes.