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Tell Others About This Page By Using This Button "THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY" (2005) (Martin Freeman, Mos Def) (PG) Alcohol/ Drugs Blood/Gore Disrespectful/ Bad Attitude Frightening/ Tense Scenes Guns/ Weapons Moderate Mild Moderate *Moderate Heavy Imitative Behavior Jump Scenes Music (Scary/Tense) Music (Inappropriate) Profanity Mild None Heavy None Minor Sex/ Nudity Smoking Tense Family Scenes Topics To Talk About Violence Moderate Minor None Moderate *Moderate QUICK TAKE: Sci-Fi Comedy: An ordinary Earthling hitches a ride through the galaxy following Earth's destruction and accompanies others in their search for the meaning of life. PLOT: Arthur Dent (MARTIN FREEMAN) is an ordinary, unassuming man who's shocked one morning to discover that his house is slated for demolition to make way for a highway bypass. His best friend, Ford Prefect (MOS DEF), informs him that's the least of his worries. It seems that an alien race known as the Vogons have scheduled Earth to be demolished to make way for a hyperspace expressway. With only minutes to go, Ford -- with Arthur in tow -- manages to hitch a ride on the Vogon spaceship and thus avoids the total destruction of Earth. With the aide of the interactive "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" -- that gives the advice "don't panic" -- the two try to figure out what's going on. Unfortunately, they're captured by the Vogons and then cast off into space by their leader, Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz (voice of RICHARD GRIFFITHS), but are then picked up by the spaceship The Heart of Gold. Inside are Zaphod Beeblebrox (SAM ROCKWELL), the zany, two-headed President of the galaxy; his girlfriend Trillian (ZOOEY DESCHANEL) who earlier met Arthur at a costume party when she was known as Tricia on Earth; and Marvin (voice of ALAN RICKMAN), a chronically depressed robot. Zaphod is in search of the meaning of life and the universe and thus seeks answers from the all-knowing super computer Deep Thought (voice of HELEN MIRREN). On their way, however, they must contend with repeated run-ins with the Vogons as well as religious leader and former Zaphod opponent Humma Kavula (JOHN MALKOVICH), and an encounter with Slartibartfast (BILL NIGHY) who knows a thing or two about Earth. WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT? If they're fans of the book, someone in the cast or goofy, sci-fi comedies, they just might. WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: PG For thematic elements, action and mild language. CAST AS ROLE MODELS: MARTIN FREEMAN plays an everyday man whose world is turned upside down when the Earth is destroyed and he ends up on a galactic journey with Ford, Zaphod and Trillian. MOS DEF plays his best friend, a character who turns out not to be human and saves Arthur from Earth's destruction. He then accompanies him through various galactic adventures and discovery. He guzzles down some beer in an early scene when he knows he won't be able to have any more once Earth is destroyed. SAM ROCKWELL plays the egotistical, wacky and two-headed President of the Galaxy who's looking for the ultimate question of the universe. ZOOEY DESCHANEL plays an Earthling who avoided death in Earth's destruction by earlier accompanying Zaphod into space. When she sees that previous acquaintance Arthur has joined them, she must choose between them. MARVIN is a super intelligent robot who's also extremely depressed and dejected. BILL NIGHY plays an alien who helped design the original Earth and is now working on its replacement. JOHN MALKOVICH plays a religious leader and former space pirate who ran against Zaphod for the Presidency. CAST, CREW, & TECHNICAL INFO HOW OTHERS RATED THIS MOVIE Curious if this title is entertaining, any good, and/or has any artistic merit? Then read OUR TAKE of this film. (Note: The "Our Take" review of this title examines the film's artistic merits and does not take into account any of the possibly objectionable material listed below). OUR WORD TO PARENTS: Here's a brief summary of the content found in this sci-fi comedy that's been rated PG. Profanity consists of a handful of minor expletives, while some colorful phrases are uttered. Some sexual innuendo is present, a man and woman are seen in small shorts (she's later seen in the shower in a head and shoulders shot) and a woman is seen in a Playboy bunny outfit at a costume party. Violence consists of the Earth's complete destruction (but no directly viewed deaths, just one big explosion), aliens firing at others with laser guns (and hitting a robot in the back of the head), some animal deaths (played for laughs), some people striking others, an alien severing another alien's second head (in silhouette via a rotary saw) and various bits of slapstick material. While most of that's played for comedy and/or zany action, some of those scenes, a few moments of peril and some visuals (including that of a man with no eyes) may be unsettling or suspenseful to younger viewers. Some brief crude humor is present, some characters drink, and a few briefly smoke. Some bad attitudes are present as is some potentially imitative behavior. Should you still be concerned about the film's appropriateness for yourself or anyone else in your home, you may want to look more closely at our detailed listings for more specific information regarding the film's content. ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE Ford arrives with a grocery cart filled with containers of beer. He then gives some to demolition workers who take a break to drink. Ford takes Arthur to a pub where he orders several pints for each of them (and others there drink). Knowing Earth is about to be demolished, Ford guzzles his down, while Arthur drinks some of his. We see a flashback of Arthur knocking Ford out of the way of an approaching car (Ford, new to Earth, was trying to greet it). Arthur then states that he assumed Ford was drunk at that moment. People drink at a costume party, including Arthur and Trillian who have wine. Earlier, Arthur says that "drunken idiots" are at the party. We see an image of Zaphod holding a bottle of champagne (or something similar). Zaphod and Ford have some sort of drink that's strong and both react to that. Ford makes a comment about getting a drink. BLOOD/GORE Ford places a squishy thing in Arthur's ear and it seems gross (and Arthur isn't happy) until we hear that it's a translator fish. We then see a cartoon explanation of the critter, with sounds going into its mouth and the translation coming out the backside. We then see an animated farmer milking a cow and having his face at its backside before racing away from that end. There's talk of a character that sounded like it had the name of something "the flatulent." After traveling through space, Arthur briefly is a doll-like being and there's a comment that he's going to be sick. We then see that doll-like character vomit out thread/strings into a container (that ends with the real Arthur having some of that from his mouth -- all played for laughs). When Humma Kavula removes his thick eyeglasses, we see that his eyes were just projections in the lenses and that he has empty eye sockets (a sight that might be unsettling for some viewers). We then see that there's no body below his torso, with small mechanical legs beneath him transporting him across a table. He then removes a nose from one of his followers, with some sort of mechanical device beneath that. We see the silhouette of Humma Kavula with a large rotary saw, taking it to Zaphod's body to cut off his second head. We then see the silhouette of Humma Kavula holding the severed head (with some fleshy or bone parts dangling beneath it), before seeing a real shot of it (still alive) on the top of a hula doll. DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE Some devout viewers might not like various humorous references about religion. They include talk of the Hitchhiker's Guide being more controversial than works such as "Where did God go wrong?" and "Who is this God person anyway?" Later, there's a sequence about a religion based on a white handkerchief where that is the god that's worshipped. There's also a bit about Slartibartfast and his company being the ones who created Earth. We hear that Zaphod stole The Heart of Gold spaceship. Some viewers might not like what appear to be jabs at the current U.S. president by the portrayal of Zaphod as a kooky president (who occasionally sounds like President Bush). We hear that Humma Kavula is a former space pirate. The Vogons abduct Trillian and are otherwise out to get Zaphod and the others. We learn that it was Zaphod who ordered that Earth be demolished. A sperm whale finds itself plummeting toward a planet's surface and eventually slams to the surface (we don't see the impact, but do see a large cloud of dust rise from it, and it's all played for laughs, but some viewers may find the scene in bad taste). The same may hold true for comedy coming at the demise of several large crabs. FRIGHTENING SCENES The following may be unsettling, suspenseful or maybe even scary to younger viewers but probably to few others. We see construction workers panic when they spot something in the sky and then flee (it's a huge spaceship). A Vogon announces that Earth is going to be demolished to make way for an expressway. We then see various aerial shots of panic in areas around the world (all played for laughs). We then see an outer space view of Earth, with a pause before a big explosion. The sight of the Vogons (large, hunchbacked and ugly creatures) may be unsettling to younger viewers. The Vogon leader calls for Arthur and Ford to be cast off into the void of space. The two then wait in a chamber as alarms signal the pending opening of it, but the floor suddenly drops out below them and they fall through it and then through space (played for laughs and they're okay as they hold their breath until Zaphod's ship picks them up). It turns out that Zaphod has two heads, one hidden beneath the other, and he occasionally whips the top one back to reveal the one below (and then back again). The sight of that might be unsettling to some younger viewers. When Humma Kavula removes his thick eyeglasses, we see that his eyes were just projections in the lenses and that he has empty eye sockets (a sight that might be unsettling for some viewers). We then see that there's no body below his torso, with small mechanical legs beneath him transporting him across a table. We see the silhouette of Humma Kavula with a large rotary saw, taking it to Zaphod's body to cut off his second head. We then see the silhouette of Humma Kavula holding the severed head (with some fleshy or bone parts dangling beneath it), before seeing a real shot of it (still alive) on the top of a hula doll. An alien creature briefly growls and bares its teeth at Arthur and the others after they pass it in a long line. We see the Vogons hoisting Trillian up above a crate with some sort of monster inside (we hear, but can't see it). They then start to lower her down into it, but a release order then comes and they let her go. Two thermonuclear missiles are fired at the spaceship, with its computer and then occupants trying to steer the ship away from the missiles that continue to pursue it. After a few close calls, they turn into a sperm whale and a vase of petunias. Slartibartfast warns Arthur of a ride they're about to take and that it scares "the willies" out of him, but it turns out to be no big deal. Two talking mice state that they want Arthur's mind. After he's restrained by the chair he's in, they maneuver a large, metallic device toward his head, which has rotary saws on either side of his head that move in close to it. Arthur manages to break free and crushes the mice, but he then sees that they're really miniature people we saw earlier in the film (and they appear flattened). GUNS/WEAPONS Some sort of explosive devices are used to destroy Earth. Laser guns: Fired by the Vogons at Arthur and the others, eventually hitting Marvin the robot in the back of the head. Zaphod fires some sort of laser gun at an object and blasts it (like a target). The group finds a large weapon, but when it's fired at others, it causes them to see and voice the shooter's emotional and cognitive point of view. IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR Phrases: "So long and thanks for all the fish," "Idiots," "Do you want to see my spaceship?" "What the hell /are those things/are you doing here/have you been doing?" "Resistance is useless," "Don't vote for stupid," "It's rubbish," "Moron," "Where the hell is Ford?" "You idiot," "Get a backbone," "Far out," "Scares the willies out of me," "Why so edgy, baby doll?" "Bloody well," "Oh bollocks" and "Let's trip the light fantastic." Arthur lies on the ground in front of a bulldozer to stop a crew from demolishing his house. We see people in a pub with paper bags over their heads (awaiting the end of the world). When Zaphod announces that the Vogons "are on our tail," he slaps Trillian on her clothed butt. Zaphod eats with his mouth open. JUMP SCENES None. MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE) A heavy amount of comedy-based, suspense and action music plays in the film. MUSIC (INAPPROPRIATE) None. PROFANITY At least 4 hells, 1 ass, 1 bollocks, 1 damn, and 1 use each of "For God's sakes," "God" and "My God." SEX/NUDITY We briefly see a woman dressed like a Playboy bunny at a costume party (showing a bit of cleavage). Zaphod meets Trillian at a party in the past and asks her "Do you want to see my spaceship?" (in what some may view as innuendo). We see Zaphod in a small and tight pair of shorts (or possibly underwear), while Trillian is also seen in a small pair. Moments later, Zaphod asks her, "Are you wearing my underwear? Cuz I'm wearing yours and they're not doing the trick." When Zaphod announces that the Vogons "are on our tail," he slaps Trillian on her clothed butt. He them makes a joke about loving it rough and says "hit me" (a possible double entendre for regular violence and sex). Arthur is jealous of Zaphod regarding Trillian and says to her, "Two heads is what does it for a girl." He then asks, "Anything else he's got two of?" A miscellaneous woman shows some cleavage. We see a head and shoulders shot of Trillian in a shower (behind a solid shower door). Arthur then walks in and chats with her, but doesn't look at her as he does. We then briefly see her wrapped in a towel. SMOKING Some miscellaneous smoking briefly occurs in one scene. TENSE FAMILY SCENES None. TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT The Earth being destroyed by aliens early in the film. The comment that things are not always what they seem. Marvin is a depressed and dejected robot who speaks in a monotone voice of doom and gloom. The question of "What is normal?" The question about the meaning of life and one's place in the universe. A character comments that they'd rather be happy than right any day. VIOLENCE Notwithstanding the demolition of Earth (noted below), the rest of the content rates as "moderate." Arthur accidentally bangs his head on a low overpass while heading down his steps. We see a flashback of Arthur knocking Ford out of the way of an approaching car (Ford, new to Earth, was trying to greet it). We see a demolition crew tearing down Arthur's house. The Vogons blow up Earth (thus killing billions of people, but no direct deaths are seen). A Vogon fishes and catches a large crab. He then tries to smash it with something, eventually succeeding in flattening the crab. Zaphod's hidden extra arm (or some other part of his body or outfit) suddenly hits Arthur on the chin. We see a cartoon that shows an animated man being crushed (in a cartoon fashion). A man hits Zaphod and they briefly struggle. We see the silhouette of Humma Kavula with a large rotary saw, taking it to Zaphod's body to cut off his second head. We then see the silhouette of Humma Kavula holding the severed head (with some fleshy or bone parts dangling beneath it), before seeing a real shot of it (still alive) on the top of a hula doll. The Vogons fire laser blasts at Zaphod, Trillian and Ford, but miss (as they're awful shots despite the amount fired). They then grab Trillian while firing more shots at Arthur and Ford and their ship as they fly away. Arthur pushes Zaphod to the floor. An opened pod door crushes a crab. As they cross a desolate landscape, a large, metallic flyswatter type object flies up from the sand and smacks Arthur in the face. It does so again and then does so to Ford. Three of them then do the same to Arthur, Ford and Zaphod who then run across the landscape with such devices repeatedly smacking them (all played for slapstick laughs). Trillian is tossed out through a door to the floor. Trillian slaps Zaphod and then whacks at him while mad at him. A sperm whale finds itself plummeting toward a planet's surface (and contemplates itself and everything around it) and eventually slams to the surface (we don't see the impact, but do see a large cloud of dust rise from it, and it's all played for laughs). After traveling through a portal, Zaphod lands hard on a hard surface. Two talking mice state that they want Arthur's mind. After he's restrained by the chair he's in, they maneuver a large, metallic device toward his head, which has rotary saws on either side of his head that move in close to it. Arthur manages to break free and crushes the mice, but he then sees that they're really miniature people we saw earlier in the film (and they appear flattened). The Vogons fire lasers at Arthur and the others, but miss despite the preponderance of shots. They do, however, hit Marvin the robot in the back of his enormous head, creating a big hole and causing him to drop to the ground and appear to be dead (he later gets up). They then riddle the trailer in which Arthur and his friends are hiding, but they're okay in the end. Reviewed April 26, 2005 / Posted April 29, 2005

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