[Sandwich]

Although I'm familiar in passing with some key points of Douglas Adams' book (42, towels, etc), I've never read any of his works. My question is, should I read the book before I go see the movie?

[Flipside]

To be honest, they are more or less different stories. Adams' genius lay in his own sense of humour though, and a lot of that comes from casual observation on Human Nature that simply cannot be replicated on film, so personally, I'd recommend watch the movie first, and then settle down with a cuppa and enjoy the book and be your own judge

[Grug]

Meh. Just read it at some point.

It might be an idea to read it afterwards. That way you don't have any presumptions to be destroyed when you do go see the movie.

3 movies I wanna see soon. HHGTtG, Kingdoms of Heaven, and SW:EpisodeIII.
Actuall entertainment is available! =O Means I'll have to have a shower and shave before I go out.

[aldo_14]

Um....there's 2 ways to look at it;

1) the book will unquestionably be far, far better than the movie (books, actually... I think the movie uses the first 3 of the trilogy)

2)you might not get the more subtle jokes without reading the books to understand behind them

[Col. Fishguts]

It's not important if you watch the movie or not...read the books anyway.
Everybody should read the HHGTTG series once in their lives, it gives you a more relaxed view on life, the universe and everything.

[Mongoose]

From what I've heard about the movie, steer clear.  You definitely have to read the books; it should be required by law.

P.S. Has anyone ever played the PC game Starship Titanic, also by Douglas Adams?  It's just as zany as the Hitchhiker's series.

[Sandwich]

Well I just bought myself the Omnibus edition thingy (HHGTtG, TRatEotU, LtUaE, SLaTfAtF, and MH), so I shouldn't be missing any parts of the books.

I think I'll catch the movie first, then read the books, then catch the movie again... if it's good enough.

[Taristin]

I've read 3 books of the 'trilogy'.... the first two were the best, I lost interest in the third... so I didn't go on to the fourth.

[aldo_14]

Originally posted by Col. Fishguts
It's not important if you watch the movie or not...read the books anyway.
Everybody should read the HHGTTG series once in their lives, it gives you a more relaxed view on life, the universe and everything.

And tea.

[Flipside]

And vases of Flowers...

'Oh no, not again'

[Fineus]

If I were you, I wouldn't clue yourself in on it before seeing the movie. I've already read the book and am kinda worried that my current concepts and visualisations will be (let down) by what the movie brings... or at least they won't mesh properly.

Better to see the movie, then expand it with the book.

[aldo_14]

Originally posted by Flipside
And vases of Flowers...

'Oh no, not again'

Petunias, to be precise.

Poor old Agrajag........

[Grey Wolf]

You can read all 5, but I really suggest stopping after the third.

[Mongoose]

I actually thought that the petunia gag was funnier before it was actually explained.  It lost something of the "Huh?" factor. I definitely agree that the first two books were the best; it trailed off a little during the third and more during the fourth, and the fifth was just...strange.  From what I heard, Adams was going through a rough time when he wrote the fifth one, and it was reflected in the book.  I do know he was thinking about/planning a sixth book; it's such a damn shame that he died so young.

[Jal-18]

I dunno, I liked the Krikkit robots in "Life, the Universe, and Everything," but I agree - "So Long, And Thanks For All the Fish!" and "Mostly Harmless" are mostly bad.

[EtherShock]

The movie is being done by a Disney family production company, so it will most certainly suck. Adams will be turning in his grave. They never would've made it if he were still alive. He never would've allowed it.

[Rictor]

Originally posted by Sandwich
Well I just bought myself the Omnibus edition thingy (HHGTtG, TRatEotU, LtUaE, SLaTfAtF, and MH), so I shouldn't be missing any parts of the books.

I think I'll catch the movie first, then read the books, then catch the movie again... if it's good enough.

That's what I have.

"A trilogy in five parts"

edit: my suggestion would be to read the books first, then watch the movie and ridicule it. It's not so much that the movie is a "different take" on it, as it's a "stain on the series".

Soooo, yeah.

[Grey Wolf]

Originally posted by EtherShock
The movie is being done by a Disney family production company, so it will most certainly suck. Adams will be turning in his grave. They never would've made it if he were still alive. He never would've allowed it.

I'm not sure if he would have liked the movie itself, but if I remember correctly, he did actually write the script they used before he died.

[Black Wolf]

Neither. Listen to the radio plays. Everyone forgets they came first.

[Grey Wolf]

Not I. It says they did in the front of my omnibus edition. Speaking of coming first, I need to go watch those DVDs I just got of Neverwhere...