Questions 3 - Fixing Hitch-Hiker's

[andrewducker]

The question is "Why didn't the Hitch-hikers movie work?" and the answer is 'structure' and 'adherence to Douglas Adams'

I liked a lot of the visual quirks.  The original dialogue was generally pretty good and the acting wasn't bad (could have been better, but was generally at least professional).  What let it down was the fact that the plot just didn't work. 

Personally, I'd have chopped out the entire of the Vogsphere and Hamma Kavula and had Zaphod & Trillian discover _from Deep Thought_ that Zaphod had signed the order to have the Earth destroyed.  That way, not only does he not get what he wants, but it's his own fault.  That gives Trillian's shock more of a boost too, as she's with Zaphod at the time.  You then lead in straight to the scene with the Perspective Gun.

You also give people a _reason_ to destroy Earth (which would explain why the Vogons seem to actively want to kill Zaphod) - the reason from the book will probably do pretty well.  Give the whole thing a bit of structure so that you feel the characters have triumphed over something at the end.  It also pushes the plot along nicely, so you don't feel like the characters are randomly bouncing from scene to scene, which is effectively what they do.

Extend the opening sequence just enough to get the original bits back in, because they _do_ work, and you've now got the extra time because we're not visiting pointless places along the way.  The first book takes place on (a) Earth, (b) The Heart of Gold and (c) Magrathea - there's no reason the film couldn't too.

Oh, and either _more_ Adams or _less_.  If you're going to use his dialogue, use it.  If you're not, just take it out entirely.  The only reason to have it in is for the fans, after all - and they hate being teased.  So either leave it out, or make it _right_.

Comments

[onceupon.livejournal.com]

I saw it last night and I have to agree with you on all counts.

Though I thought the bits with the Guide were very well done.

[andrewducker]

The guide was nicely done, and I laughed myself silly at both the 'dropping into vacuum' and 'vomiting knitting' scenes. The pullback past the Vogon Constructor Fleet was also very nicely done.

Given a decent producer hitting the scriptwriter with a big stick it could have been great.

[cynthia1960.livejournal.com]

I really want to learn how to knit the characters from the 'vomiting knitting' scene; a fair number of folks from knitting are of the same mind.

[kellibunny.livejournal.com]

i didn't read your spoilers yet because i still want to see the movie, but with regards to carefully following a book... i've seen films where they changed almost nothing and i knew exactly what would be said next and i knew precisely where it was going and it was totally boring.

i *hope* they add and change a few things to make it unique and not just exactly as the book was written. Movies are supposed to be "based" on novels, with their own flare, not replicas. Ya know?

[andrewducker]

Oh, they shouldn't slavishly follow the book. But then the book didn't slavishly follow the radio series (which came first) and the tv series wasn't slavish to either of them.

But taking dialogue that works and chopping it up so that it's no longer funny is just stupid.

[kellibunny.livejournal.com]

Oh damn. Maybe i'll just rent it.

[andrewducker]

Oh, it's still fun. It's just broken fun.

[broin.livejournal.com]

I have to say, I thought it was a miserable lump of piss. For about a dozen reasons I discussed with Gem.

(like, the love story? Rubbish)

I smirked once. I didn't laugh at all. I'd have prolly left if I wasn't with people.

Trailers were good - Batman, Sith. Oh well.

[andrewducker]

I liked the falling out of the airlock. I thought the pullback (and the accompanying music) was very nicely observed. And I loved the vomiting knitting. Oh, and the rainbow coloured crabs were kinda cool.

But yes, it was generally a mess.

[broin.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I liked the... well, the Vogon designs were good. In fact, most of the design work was interesting.

I gave it a 4.

[stillcarl.livejournal.com]

'structure' and 'adherence to Douglas Adams'

I've not seen the film, but do you really believe those two are meant to go together?

Hitch-hikers is about the universe not really working right, so a plot that made sense would be the wrong plot...

[andrewducker]

The overall plot to the books _works_. There are digressions along the way, but overall, the people have reasons for what they are doing.

[drjon.livejournal.com]

I think that H2G2 - the Ducker Edit would work (perhaps you should cut it when the movie comes out on DVD?). But I do think that the movie as it stands does work, althoug it's true it's weak in places. But I certainly enjoyed it.

Oh, and which text do you use? The Radio series dialogue varies from the LP dialogue varies from the Book dialogue varies from the Stage play dialogue varies from the TV series dialogue... which one's the "_right_" one? It's true that there are "classic" lines, but...

[andrewducker]

If I was quote classic lines I'd quote them.

Other than that I'm happy with new lines. The dialogue was mostly fine by me - it was only when they misquoted that I got tetchy.

[azalemeth.livejournal.com]

I am going to see it in the very near future.



And then probably agree with you!

[thadrin.livejournal.com]

Screw the film...the first episode of the radio adap of "so long and thanks for all the fish" was on Radio 4 earlier. Glee.

[opusfluke.livejournal.com]

If you can't tell jewelled crabs from "rainbow coloured" ones and big iron hammers for the smashing there of then I can see why you didn't like the film. I laughed. Lots. So there! Listen to Radio 4- I am still getting over Patrick Moore and his "well cool ring tone"! Share and Enjoy!