The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
69%RT Audience Score: 65%
Awards & Nominations: NA
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy is a film that, much like the titular guidebook, takes its audience on a wild and unpredictable journey through the cosmos. While some critics may find fault with the film’s dry British humor or lack of heart, I would argue that these elements are precisely what make it such a delightfully quirky and entertaining romp. From the musical number by the dolphins to the bitty, tangential gags, this film is a visual feast of goofiness and thespian bravura. While it may not be for everyone, those who appreciate a good cup of tea and a healthy dose of absurdity will find much to love in this adaptation of Douglas Adams’ beloved classic. So grab your towel and hitch a ride on this potholed but ultimately satisfying journey through the galaxy.
“The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” is a movie that’s out of this world! While some critics may have found it lacking, I found it to be a hilarious and enjoyable ride through the galaxy. From the tea-steeped English musings to the bitty, tangential gags, this movie had me laughing from start to finish. Sure, it may not have won any awards, but it’s definitely worth a watch if you’re in the mood for some intergalactic fun. And who knows, you might even learn a thing or two about the importance of always carrying a towel!
Production Company(ies)
Alien, MARV
Distributor
Buena Vista Pictures
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
2005
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 49m
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Language(s):English
ALL CAST, AUSPICES, AND BELOW THE LINE -
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Apr 29, 2005 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 13, 2005
Genre(s)
Sci-fi/Comedy
Keyword(s)
starring Martin Freeman, Yasiin Bey, Sam Rockwell, Zooey Deschanel, Warwick Davis, Alan Rickman, directed by Garth Jennings, written by Karey Kirkpatrick, Douglas Adams, sci-fi, comedy, PG, box office gross, $51.0M, reviewed by Peter Travers, Richard Roeper, Nick Schager, Anthony Lane, Lisa Schwarzbaum, Marc Savlov, Kathi Maio, PG rating, produced by Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber, Jonathan Glickman, Jay Roach, Nick Goldsmith, Buena Vista Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment, DTS, Surround, Dolby SRD, SDDS, Scope (2.35:1), Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect, Zaphod Beeblebrox, Tricia McMillan, Marvin the Paranoid Android, President Zaphod Beeblebrox, Douglas Adams’ novel, meaning of life, intergalactic adventure, galactic highway, Ultimate Question to Life, the Universe, Everything, satire, Alan Rickman’s voice of Marvin, “So Long and Thanks for All the Fish”, Spaceballs, Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Wayne’s World, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, The Goonies
Worldwide gross: $104,478,416
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: $51,085,416
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Yasiin Bey – Ford Prefect
Sam Rockwell – Zaphod Beeblebrox
Zooey Deschanel – Tricia McMillan (“Trillian”)
Warwick Davis – Marvin the Paranoid Android
Alan Rickman – Marvin the Paranoid Android Voice
Director – Garth Jennings
Producers – Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber, Jonathan Glickman, Jay Roach, Nick Goldsmith
Writers – Karey Kirkpatrick, Douglas Adams
Director(s)
Garth Jennings
Writer(s)
Karey Kirkpatrick, Douglas Adams
Producer(s)
Roger Birnbaum, Gary Barber, Jonathan Glickman, Jay Roach, Nick Goldsmith
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (199) | Top Critics (47) | Fresh (120) | Rotten (79)
Adams would be pleased.
May 6, 2005 | Rating: 3/4
Peter Travers
Rolling Stone
TOP CRITIC
May 5, 2005
Richard Roeper
Ebert & Roeper
TOP CRITIC
A disappointingly potholed ride.
May 4, 2005
Nick Schager
Lessons of Darkness
TOP CRITIC
The problem is not that the film debases the book but that movies themselves are too capacious a home for such comedy, with its tea-steeped English musings and its love of bitty, tangential gags.
May 2, 2005
Anthony Lane
New Yorker
TOP CRITIC
[It has] visual goofiness and flights of thespian bravura.
May 2, 2005 | Rating: B
Lisa Schwarzbaum
Entertainment Weekly
TOP CRITIC
Fans of the novel can exhale, finally; panic is unwarranted.
May 1, 2005 | Rating: 3/5
Marc Savlov
Austin Chronicle
TOP CRITIC
I was quite pleased with the not-too-Hollywood movie version of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Adams might have been, too. Adams zealots might be a bit disappointed, but maybe they will be happy that the movie was, at least, finally made.
February 28, 2020
Kathi Maio
The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction
There were moments in Hitchhiker where I was mildly amused, including a musical number by dolphins right before they leave Earth, but for the most part, the dry British humor just fell flat.
November 18, 2019
Micheal Compton
Bowling Green Daily News
Could surely be a lot better, but there’s much to enjoy in the film that exists, with its organic mixture of comic tones, and generally upbeat attitude of breezy fun.
September 19, 2017 | Rating: 3/5
Tim Brayton
Alternate Ending
. . .there is something crucial missing from the mix. Some heart and soul that might make you care more about the plight of plebby Arthur and his gang of intergalactic pals.
August 24, 2017
Dorothy Woodend
The Tyee (British Columbia)
While it won’t win any awards, it’s fun as a time killer.
March 29, 2014
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed
Fans of the book will probably be a little disappointed, but anyone encountering the Hitchhiker’s Guide for the first time should be thoroughly entertained. It is very strange and very funny in a way that Adams’ work exemplified.
March 22, 2011 | Rating: 7/10
Joshua Starnes
ComingSoon.net…
Plot
Arthur Dent is whisked away into outer space by his alien friend Ford Prefect to escape Earth’s total annihilation and embarks on a journey across the stars to seek the meaning of life in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The film features an all-star cast that includes Martin Freeman, Mos Def, Zooey Deschanel, Sam Rockwell, Bill Nighy, and Alan Rickman.
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