1.03.2005

Only in Britain...

I was on the Channel 101 boards, reading about the new Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy trailer. Which is an interesting teaser. Nothing you'll see other than the world blowing up and the words "Don't Panic" on the screen.

(Apparently Axler squealed noticeably in the theater while watching the trailer before "Flight of the Phoenix.")

While I liked the books, I did see the "movie" that the BBC put out (which, really, was just the complete TV series reedited and given less frame of reference. Not as good as, say, Red Dwarf. Or, as I've heard second hand, Spaced...)

I was given a link to the guys who were put in charge of the new adaptation. They're a company called Hammer and Tongs.

While browsing through what they're done, I was, in a word, impressed.

Ever seen the R.E.M. video "Imitations of Life," where it's this whole mural of things happening that works together when played backward and forward while focusing on different scenes in the mural? They did it.

Ever seen the Blur video "Coffee and T.V.?" The story of a milk carton who goes off and has adventures within the city in search of a missing guy who's on the side of the container? If not, you're REALLY missing out...(it was voted Best Video of 1999 on MTV Europe, apparently...)

They also did the opening credits to the Ali G. show. (not that many of us have seen it...) And a really weird Beck video. And a great electronica video featuring an Eskimo who tries to melt ice by dancing.

In any case, they've got some great imaginations, and if you want to see whose hands they've put the granddaddy of Sci-Fi humour books, I think you'll agree that Hitchhiker's in some pretty capable hands...

When you open the page, click the Movies link on the top of the page. You won't be disappointed.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just to add my $0.02, my sister-in-law also let out a whoop when she saw the trailer. Me personally, I don't get it. Maybe it's because I attempted to read the book when I was about 11, and just didn't get it. There is a copy sitting here in my house (me having married Mr. Sci-Fi himself), so I guess I could, but I don't really want to find out what all the fuss was/is about.
Mrs. M

Jago said...

Yeah, I think it's a matter of most kids around the age of 11 or 12 can't really "get" the dry style of British humour that Adams used.

I could, but then, I was a big freak.

Heck, it's hard for some ADULTS to figure out the humour that Douglas Adams writes.

Not me, though. I like my humour dry and cutting.