"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"

Don't know whether anyone has reported on this before, but, being an aficianado of the BBC original I was disappointed. I didn't like Ford, Zaphod or Slartibartfast and I didn't like the way they mucked it all up in the second half. Glitzy special effects are no replacement for a decent story and interesting characters.

 

I liked it for what it was. It didn't try to be the Radio scripts not the (appalling) tv version. THe humour was still there even if it could have free rein but considering all the resctrictions a feature length film has it did well and kept me distracted for a couple of hours. It's not the greatest film ever but never the less fun. The characters worked for me, even the new version of Marvin although I had to try hard not to reference back to the original.

I suspect that if you always compare back you'll be disappointed but if you try to watch it in isolation you'll be pleasantly amused.

 

I liked it! Marvin seems to new and shiny though... he is supposed to go 'pssssssssssssstttt, CLuNK' when he walks! Did anyone spot the original TV series Marvin in the queue on Vogonsphear (sp?) when they were trying to get Trillion out?

 

It kept me entertained for an hour or so on the way back from Malaysia, but it was no where near as good as the originals. Never mind it was a nice try.

 

I liked that TV version! The wonderfully clunky non-special effects added to the charm and the characters were much better. I have the DVD and watch it occasionally. I won't be buying this DVD.

Yes, I noticed the original Marvin. Wonder if the diodes down his side are still bothering him?

"Life! Hate it or ignore it, you can't like it..."

 

Yep, I spotted the original Marvin too

And agreed, the original TV series was far superior - LOVE STORY!? DO ME A FAVOUR!

Things I prefer about the old TV series:
Better "Heart of gold" ship
Better Marvin
Better Zaphod - even if the animatronics did keep messing up!
Better opening credits - cheesy, but ace!

Things I prefer about the movie:
Better sound quality for one thing!
Marvin's voice is better.
Trillian is much less annoying vocally, and waaaay fitter! Those lovely eyes... Swooon!

As it happens, when they re-ran the BBC TV series in 1987, my dad insisted I watched it, so I did, religiously. It just so happened that the last episode coincided with me being in hospital after a rather large teeth operation, so at the time it was on telly, I was still coming round from the anaesthetic, so tripping like crazy. The episode made perfect sense while nothing else did...

 

Can't beat the original Radio 4 broadcasts

 

I have them too (plus the recently released stuff). Brilliant!

 

I, ahem, took a cassette backup of the 4 CD set from the library years ago - pure class!

 

I have the official HHGTTG tapes for the first part of the story. I backed it up to MP3 in case the tapes get damaged. 5 or 6 cassettes with a box that says 'Don't Panic' on the side

 

I had a towel with "Don't Panic" written on it.