The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Arthur and his alien friend travel the galaxy.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie is partly kooky and partly philosophical, and not always accessible to younger kids. While the slapstick (pratfalls, face slaps) and puns can be amusing, the chatter alternates between clever and tedious. Characters drink beer and use mild language. Parents should also know that the movie has some scary, if abstract moments (the earth is destroyed from outer space; the image features no people, but the globe does go pffft), some shooting of science-fiction-ish weapons, a few odd, large, ugly creatures.


What's the story?

THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY begins as two friends, nerdish human Arthur (Martin Freeman) and space traveler Ford (Mos Def), depart Earth just before it's demolished by the universe-roving Vogons, looking to make room for a "hyperspace bypass" (this parallels the destruction of Arthur's small home by a road crew building a highway bypass). Arthur and Ford (who brings along his book, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) hitch a ride with the self-loving, two-headed President of the Galaxy Zaphod Beeblebrox (Sam Rockwell) and his girlfriend Trillian (Zooey Deschanel). As Arthur also has a crush on Trillian, he endeavors to win her attention. In search of the meaning of life, the crew visit with diverse communities on different planets, including a cult led by Humma Kavula (John Malkovich), who ritually worship a sneeze, and an architect of custom planets Slartibartfast (Bill Nighy), who offers to rebuild earth for the currently homeless Arthur.


Is it any good?

 

Based on Douglas Adams' beloved BBC radio series (first aired in 1978, and thereafter turned into novel and TV series), this movie of has been in the works, in some format, for over 20 years. This means that some of the ideas, in being faithful to the source also feel dated, that is, not new insights (media are deceitful, corporate workers are boring and shortsighted, boys are nervous about expressing their feelings to girls... well, okay, some old concerns remain unresolved).

Perhaps the film's most provocative innovation is the POV (point of view) Gun, with which the shooter can instantly impose his perspective on a target. The Guide narrator tells us the gun was invented by "a group of housewives who had become utterly sick of ending every domestic argument with the words, 'You just don't get it, do you?'" Once Trillian gets a hold of this potent weapon, her vulnerability is exposed, which means she finally seems to break through Zaphod and Arthur's self-obsessions. But as the film never suggests how her life will improve once they "get it," Trillion seems left adrift.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about the friendship between Arthur and Ford, who learn to appreciate each other's different perspectives and look out for one another. Families might also consider the symbolic roles played by the aliens Arthur meets (the two-headed president of the galaxy; the lumbering bureaucratic race called Vogons; the generous, sensitive Ford), or Arthur's passivity: how does he learn to act on his desires, look out for his friends, or have self-confidence? How can you define "normality"?


This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
Teen, 15 years old
March 26, 2011
 
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
I liked it

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Teen, 15 years old
February 14, 2010
 
Wonderful movie
This is my all time favorite movie and in my opinion, there is nothing wrong with movie in the least bit. However many people wouldn't be able to understand it. Even though I love this movie the books, all 5 ov them, are way better. :)

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Teen, 16 years old
November 30, 2009
 
You will die of boredom and stupidity after seeing this flick......
Stupid, stupid, stupid. Pointless, and stupid. Cheaply made! Boo......

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Teen, 18 years old
April 9, 2008
 
BORING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This movie has 2words to describe it! BORING, STUPUID. My whole family watched it, Mom, Dad, and sister who is 15. We all thought it was stupid. As a matter of fact we din't see the whole thing we only watched about 35 minutes and we were all sooooo bored we turned it off and watche another movie called Sahara(great movie. So don't waste your money and see this movie.

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Parent of 12 and 13 year old
June 10, 2010
 
Awesome!!!
LOL!! Areosol deodorant before the wheel!! some math: 1 marvin + 1 point of view gun = hilarious non-lethal weapon!!!

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Teen, 17 years old
August 13, 2009
 
Hilarious Movie
This is one of the most hilarious movies that I have ever seen. Not for everyone, but some people will find it hilarious. The only problem I have with it was that it pokes a little bit of fun at religion.

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Kid, 12 years old
May 18, 2011
 
The Books are Better
eh, this movie was quite funny, I really liked Alan Rickman as the voice of Marvin, and Zooey Deschanel was good, but it wasn't great

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Teen, 15 years old
August 21, 2009
 
pointlessly stupid
stupid

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Adult
April 9, 2008
 
This is a stupid show...read the book...although it's pretty lame too!

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This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
Topics:adventures, book characters, misfits and underdogs, space and aliens
Studio:Touchstone Pictures
Director:Garth Jennings
Cast:Martin Freeman, Mos Def, Zooey Deschanel
Genre:Science Fiction
Run time:110 minutes
Theatrical release date:April 29, 2005
DVD release date:September 13, 2005
MPAA rating:PG
MPAA explanation:thematic elements, action and mild language

This review was written by Cynthia Fuchs
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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