# Hitchhiker's trailer looks terrible **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 31, 2005, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057 "2005-03-31T07:05:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Engywook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bc8723/32.png) [@Engywook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Engywook)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2005, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057/1 "2005-03-31T07:05:19Z")
Man, I hope this is a result of some dumb-ass marketing department having the completely wrong idea about the demographic this movie is trying to reach… I saw the trailer tonight, and I gotta say it looks just **terrible**. Full of slapstick, unfunny gags like Arthur Dent banging his head on the ceiling while he’s walking down the stairs. Ford and Arthur being dropped into outer space as if they’re merely falling from a tall building. And there’s no need to go into the number of Zaphod’s heads, or watching them run into these mechanical head-slapping devices on (Magrathea?). Sure, I’ll still be in line to see this on opening day, with a freshly fluffed towel in hand. But now this is only because I must, not because I have any hopes of seeing a good movie. Got a very bad feeling I’ll go home afterwards and watch the BBC version as brainfloss. ---
**Author:** ![Hoops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoops/32/6408_2.png) [@Hoops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoops)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2005, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057/2 "2005-03-31T07:19:49Z")
I agree that that is not a particularly inspiring trailer. But have you seen [this one](http://www.apple.com/trailers/touchstone/hitchhikersguidetothegalaxy/trailer_3/) yet? It’s much better. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2005, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057/3 "2005-03-31T07:42:53Z")
… I don’t know what you are talking about. I thought BOTH trailers (I’m not counting the teasers) where excellently done. What exactly is so terrible about that first one you are commenting on? The slapstick stuff? The only slapstick stuff I remember is the fly swatters on Magrathea. The banging the head on the ceiling isn’t ‘slapstick’, it shows tiredness. Though the second one is super funny. Gotta love the Guide. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2005, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057/4 "2005-03-31T07:47:08Z")
I admire the bravery of the people who made these movies, simply because they had to realize that almost everything they did that was not in exact accordance with the book was going to piss off some impossible-to-please fans. Oh well. If it’s good, I’ll enjoy it. I’ll be surprised if there’s nothing good at all, and since there’s been an adaptation of Hitchhiker’s for almost every conceivable medium, I think you have to expect some things to be different. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2005, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057/5 "2005-03-31T19:11:13Z")
At least it’s got Alan Rickman as the voice of Marvin…we know that won’t be bad. ---
**Author:** ![Engywook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bc8723/32.png) [@Engywook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Engywook)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2005, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057/6 "2005-03-31T19:23:20Z")
> [@Hoops](#): > > But have you seen [this one](http://www.apple.com/trailers/touchstone/hitchhikersguidetothegalaxy/trailer_3/) yet? It’s much better. Far better - much more in the spirit of the books. That’s what’s missing from the other trailer - it looked like a Men in Black rip-off, not Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. **Marley23** , I agree that making this movie is like throwing yourself to a pack of rabid purists in bathrobes and slippers. I’m not one of those - I know that every iteration of Hitchhiker’s (radio, tv, book, text adventure) is a different story, and I expect the movie to also be different. But everything so far has had the same unmistakable flavor. You know you’re listening to/watching/reading/interacting with Hitchhiker’s. So if the movie’s more like trailer 3, I’ll probably enjoy it - even if it doesn’t ever mention the number 42. If it’s more like the trailer from my OP, I’ll only be there out of a sense of duty, glad that Douglas Adams didn’t live to see this. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2005, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057/7 "2005-03-31T20:12:25Z")
Woot! Woot! Woot! Trailer number 3 is freakin’ sweet! ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2005, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057/8 "2005-03-31T20:15:14Z")
I suspect the “slapstick” trailer was made to sell the movie for folks not familliar with the books, and the genuine movie will be closer to the “guide” trailer. ---
**Author:** ![poeticyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6bbea6/32.png) [@poeticyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/poeticyde)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2005, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057/9 "2005-03-31T21:51:08Z")
That has to be one of the best movie trailers I have ever seen! Fantastic! ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMule](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc348/32.png) [@MonkeyMule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMule)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057/10 "2005-04-01T00:00:25Z")
You know this thing with zaphod’s heads is REALLY pissing me off. I mean how many times does the book mention a LEFT and a RIGHT head? Is it really that hard for chirst sake! :mad: ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057/11 "2005-04-01T00:28:52Z")
Repeat after me: _The movie will not be a straight adaptation of the original stuff._ _The movie will not be a straight adaptation of the original stuff._ _The movie will not be a straight adaptation of the original stuff…_ Just let it go, guy. Douglas Adams himself admitted before he shuffled off the mortal coil that any movie adaptation is going to take liberties. Just look at what gets changed every time the series hops to a new medium. If it has the **Hitchhikers’** _spirit,_ I will be content. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057/12 "2005-04-01T01:20:34Z")
I shall be there with my towel. With my user name, I had better be there on opening night 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ITR\_champion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c67d28/32.png) [@ITR\_champion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ITR_champion)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057/13 "2005-04-01T02:31:49Z")
It’s opening on April 29? For some reason I thought it was May 6. This means I’ll get to see it before I leave for Alaska. Woot! ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057/14 "2005-04-01T02:32:54Z")
They moved it up 🙂 I’ll be there with my towel! ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057/15 "2005-04-01T02:57:03Z")
> [@ITR champion](#): > > It’s opening on April 29? For some reason I thought it was May 6. This means I’ll get to see it before I leave for Alaska. Woot! It premiers _in London_ on the 29th. Check IMDb for release dates in your area. > [@Jeep's Phoenix](#): > > At least it’s got Alan Rickman as the voice of Marvin…we know that won’t be bad. And “…lots of things blowing up, occasionally interrupted by a girl in a bikini.” That does absolutely nothing for me. 😃 I dunno, from the trailer, it seems to offer everything that could be hoped, included perfectly hideous Vogons, hoopy f/x of Magrethea, the whale and the bowl of petunas (“Oh no, not again”), Deep Thought and his followers, and hints of a smashing new plotline with Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich, who is just plain weird enough to fit right into a Hitchhiker’s film. Zooey Deschanel looks just right as sexy/brilliant Trillian, even if she clearly isn’t British, and Sam Rockwell is rock-star-moron perfect as Zaphod. Ford certainly isn’t how I expected him, but Eric Idle (who I’ve always imagined that Douglas used as a model for the character) is much too old for the role, and I’m willing to give Mos Def the benefit of the doubt. In fact, my biggest disappointment so far is that the Guide does not, in fact, appear to have the words “Don’t Panic” inscribed in large, friendly letters on the cover. If that’s as bad as it gets then I’m all ready to root for a “Restaurant” movie. And can we get Kaufman and Jonze working on a Dirk Gently film, please? Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057/16 "2005-04-01T03:46:39Z")
I came into this thread to gripe about the way Marvin looks. Then I watched the trailer that **Hooks** posted the link to. Whoa… I think they just talked me into believing in their conception of Marvin. That trailer does look good, doesn’t it? I miss the large, friendly letters too, though. But I can live without them. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![borschevsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/97f17d/32.png) [@borschevsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/borschevsky)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057/17 "2005-04-01T04:53:33Z")
The “Don’t Panic” at the end of the trailer is the back cover of the book, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057/18 "2005-04-01T06:17:27Z")
> [@borschevsky](#): > > The “Don’t Panic” at the end of the trailer is the back cover of the book, isn’t it? Well, it’s the back cover of the representation of the book in the trailer. However, the book as it appears in the film, from what can be seen (which isn’t complete) does not appear to have the most famous bit of advice in the world. :dubious: Oh well…don’t panic. It looks good, anyway. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 9:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057/19 "2005-04-01T09:05:11Z")
> [@MonkeyMule](#): > > I mean how many times does the book mention a LEFT and a RIGHT head? Is it really that hard for chirst sake! :mad: It’s still weird to me too, but think how much it would cost to have that special effect in every shot that Zaphod is in. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [April 1, 2005, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057/20 "2005-04-01T14:25:00Z")
If anyone had asked me, I would have said, “No way can this be done live action. It has to be Pixar.” But nobody asked me. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hitchhikers-trailer-looks-terrible/297057.md?page=2)