OUT of this world. That's the only way to describe The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (PG). After a journey lasting a quarter of a century, it finally beats the odds to reach the silver screen as a faithful testimony to creator Douglas Adams' limitless vision. The man behind the 12 radio episodes from 1978 and 1980, the six-part BBC TV series from 1981 and five bestselling books died suddenly four years ago. He was 49 and still on his computer's hard drive was his second screenplay draft, containing new inventions like a 'Point of View Gun' which turns opponents views into your own. But his ambitions have finally been realised thanks to executive producer Robbie Stamp, Adams' former business partner and a former Birmingham-based Central TV producer on the awardwinning Viewpoint series. Proving that showbusiness is eternal, this very English affair has not only survived Adams' death but comes to life using 7ft 6in Vogons created by the late Jim Henson's workshop. And, although Adams had gone to California to fulfil his dream, Hitchhiker's Guide has now been made in Elstree by debut director Garth Jennings - who'd lived just ten minutes away from Adams' London home all along. Backed by all-American Disney, Jennings' stellar cast is a Transatlantic mixture which meets Adams' wishes that lead character Arthur Dent should be English. The Office star Martin Freeman pitches Dent just right, and hip-hop artist Mos Def stars as the alien Ford Prefect who rescues his friend. Sam Rockwell plays galaxy president Zaphod Beeblebrox as a Freddie Mercury rock god with a Robbie Savage-style haircut. Throw in Billy Nighy as planet designer Slartibartfast, John Malkovich as Humma Kavula and Alan Rickman as Marvin the Paranoid Android and you've got a cast many Hollywood blockbusters would crave for. In keeping this largely free of CGI effects, the film has an endearingly human feel. Hitchhiker's Guide will appeal to all ages from eight to 80 as Arthur finds himself in space after his house and then the Earth are destroyed to make way for a hyperspace freeway (late 1960s former residents of Aston might well blanch at this point!). Stephen Fry narrates the story with consummate professionalism, while Helen Mirren (Deep Thought) and Bill Bailey (the whale) add further voices. Adams himself is seen from beyond the grave as a hologram, and is joined by his mother ten-year-old-daughter, Polly, making cameo appearances in a film which contains the line 'Your death may be monitored for training purposes'. The opening credits are the year's funniest to date and worth the admission alone. Well-timed to precede the commercial might of Star Wars and to capitalise on the rebirth of Doctor Who ( Adams was a former script editor), Hitchhiker's is the first real breath of fresh air in this genre since Galaxy Quest five years ago. It does everything from reminding us of Earth's beauty, to exploring the value of towels, cups of tea and the merits of fame versus happiness. Book your trip now to give the cast a return ticket for a sequel they've all signed up for already. Websites: www.thefilm factory.co.uk/hitchhikers www.douglasadams.com/movie http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.fan.douglas-adams Rating: **** | 
