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marfknox
SFN Die Hard
USA
3739 Posts |
 Posted - 09/24/2005 : 21:38:39 [Permalink]
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Gee, let's take what is the greatest work of satire on modern Western times in the form of science fiction and turn it into a corny love story.
The film started out so good. But things just went down the shitter once Trillian was captured by a moronic band of Vogons - a plot devise so Arthur could save her and prove he's not a wimp. And Zaphod, rather than being crafty and clever is reduced to little more than a blithering idiot who signed the order to have earth obliterated because he thought he was being asked for an autograph. (another plot device toward building up Trillian and Arthur's love affair, because she had to have a reason to dump Zaphod first.)
My favorite scene of Disney bullshit: when Slartibartfast asks Arthur if there is anything he wants deleted from the Earth Mock Two (Why he's asking Arthur, I have no idea, since the transdimentional beings ordered and paid for its construction, but who cares about that... we're trying to make a cheesey romance happen here people!) Arthur does not think to delete tyrants, poverty, or anything else than causes great human suffering. No, instead he says "Myself", in a move to impress and win the heart of the adventurous Trillian, who he knows wants to continue exploring the universe. *gag*
The BBC television series puts this to shame.
However, I will admit that the special effects rocked my world. |
"Too much certainty and clarity could lead to cruel intolerance" -Karen Armstrong
Check out my art store: http://www.marfknox.etsy.com
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
Posted - 09/24/2005 : 22:33:31 [Permalink]
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Thank you, marfknox, for your devestating review.
The only part I would take issue with (and it's been a bit of a problem throughout this thread) is the implication that Arthur is a wimp.
Arthur's problem, of course, isn't that he backs down from every challenge presented to him - the bulldozer episode at the start of his story should dispel that idea - but that he'll only really assert himself when he knows he is right (or has the moral high ground). Thus, he's righteously pissed off when he meets Zaphod on the Heart of Gold, and it's Zaphod who backs off with lame excuses ("Sorry, I've got a terrible memory for species").
It's Arthur who gets the idea to hit the Improbability Drive when the ship is about to be destroyed by the Magrathean missiles, but of course he has to check with someone else that it's okay (because he's unsure), while Trillian is resigned to her doom and the others are falling to pieces (and Ford once remarked that Zaphod "falls to pieces so quickly people get hit by the shrapnel").
Arthur's problem is not being a wimp, it's just that he never comes to terms with his new (and always-changing) surroundings after his home planet is destroyed. He's continually confused, so that only rarely does he know he's doing the right thing. Zaphod and Ford seem to be brimming with self-confidence and bravery by comparison only because they don't care if they're doing the right thing at any given time, unless their asses are on the line.
Except in this movie, wherein Zaphod is a dolt (who would never have survived the Total Perspective Vortex) and Ford is far too snivelling. |
- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
Why not question something for a change?
Visit Dave's Psoriasis Info, too. |
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Siberia
SFN Addict
Brazil
2322 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2005 : 07:05:59 [Permalink]
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This is why I didn't watch it. I couldn't bear to see one of my favorite books (heck, my favorite!) be raped by Hollywoodian goofyness.
Geez. |
"Why are you afraid of something you're not even sure exists?"
- The Kovenant, Via Negativa
"People who don't like their beliefs being laughed at shouldn't have such funny beliefs."
-- unknown
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