Hulu’s sci-fi comedy classic brings together Marvel, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings stars

Pa Chris Snellgrove
| Published 1 second ago

These days, filmmakers and audiences seem to be obsessed with crossovers, whether it’s Deadpool and Wolverine teaming up to save the multiverse or Superman teaming up with characters like Mr. Marvel and Guy Gardner to save the world. But would you believe that a movie that came out nearly 20 years ago is now the ultimate genre team-up, bringing together the stars of Marvel, Harry Potter, and The Lord of the Rings? Hitchhiking across the galaxy is now available to stream on Hulu, and it may be the most entertaining way to immerse yourself in the literary world of sci-fi legend Douglas Adams.

Hitchhiking across the galaxy (based on Adams’ book of the same name) about a man who receives a warning from a friendly alien that Earth is about to be destroyed by other aliens. This leads them both to the stars, where they quickly find themselves caught up in the galactic president’s mad quest to answer life’s ultimate question. The answer may be enough to save the galaxy. If, of course, our heroes manage to survive that long.

The film is a (relatively) accurate adaptation of the cult classic Hitchhiking across the galaxyand it has, among other things, a wonderful cast The Lord of the Rings legend Martin Freeman as our hapless protagonist. Some join him Harry Potter stars, including Warrick Davis as a robot who happened to be voiced by Alan Rickman. Meanwhile, a memorable Marvel villain Sam Rockwell plays the President of the Galaxy, and the cast includes other big names like Zooey Deschanel, Helen Mirren, John Malkovich and Stephen Fry.

Despite this stellar cast, Hitchhiking across the galaxy only made a modest $104.5 million on a budget of $45-$50 million. Initially, there were loose plans to create a sequel, effectively creating a film franchise from Douglas Adams’ foundation science fiction series. Unfortunately, Freeman later confirmed that the film’s meager box office was not enough to justify the big budget of the follow-up film.

As for the critics, they were a bit divided Hitchhiking across the galaxy. incl Rotten tomatoesthe film has a 60 percent critical rating, with critics generally complaining that the film could be funnier and that it may not be as accessible to those who have not read the book. Audiences, meanwhile, liked the film a bit more, and it now holds a 65 percent Popcornmeter rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

In other words, it’s a film that’s barely “fresh” among critics and hasn’t impressed audiences enough to warrant a sequel. Why then I recommend you broadcast Hitchhiking across the galaxy? On the one hand, the film feels fresher than ever. In an age of endless Marvel throwbacks and audience fatigue with superheroes, it’s great to see a big-budget genre doing its thing.

Also, director Garth Jennings actually got what he paid for when it came to this killer cast. Freeman brings a no-nonsense, everyman charm, while Rockwell brings a big game and even more laughs. Mos Def is all about smoothness and grace, while Fry is the epitome of understated charm and Deschanel is… well, she’s wide-eyed charisma like the galactic girl next door.

Finally, the film has a lot of heart and often feels extended Doctor Who episode in its presentation of the wholly fantastic as wholly mundane. There is something Zen-like about much of the advice Ford Prefect gives Arthur Dent in the face of unimaginable calamities. By the end, you’ll feel a bit like Dent himself: ready to take on the entire galaxy (while offering all kinds of sharp remarks, of course).

in short Hitchhiking across the galaxy full of high-stakes storylines and big-name actors, the result is a team bigger and better than most of what we’ve seen from Marvel or DC. Will you find this sci-fi classic as interesting as we do, or will turning off the TV be your own answer to life, the universe and everything? Of course, you won’t know until you see the greatest adaptation of Adams Douglas’ stunning story for yourself Hulu.