h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

And I'm not sure what I think of it. As a visual spectacle, it's outstanding. Top class. If you're thinking of seeing it, do so while it's still in the cinemas. I believe it's even better in 3D.

I've been spending a lot of time on TV Tropes recently, and it affects the way I watch this stuff. At one point, I was thinking "Soul Jar". (Technically, it's almost the opposite, but it feels like a Soul Jar.) Which reminds me: the Avatar page on TV Tropes doesn't mention the Soul Jar connotations. Must add them. Yikes that site is painfully addictive, even when I was just reading it.

TRiG.

http://xkcd.com/609/

It is amazing in 3D. I'd recommend anyone who hasn't watched it yet to watch it in 3D.

Yes, that's how I found it. Seriously seriously addictive.

TRiG.

Does it pass the Bechdel Test?

The Bechdel Test?

A44922486

Oh! (exclaim of surprise and intrigue.)

The oceans of my ignorance are vast and my boat is so tiny....

Me too

To tiny boats (And paddles. Paddles are of vital importance.)

Paddles and a sense of adventure

... and packed lunch.

You'd think there'd be a sandwich smiley, or at least a loaf of bread.

You can't have everything.

I know what the Bechdel test is; and no, it doesn't (unless you count Trudi talking to herself in a very tense scene toward the end). But it does have a few very strong female characters.

I've seen it again since, with a friend, in 3D.

TRiG.

And again on Monday night, with my mother, who loved it. She was overwhelmed by it. (This was in 3D again.)

I think my favourite character is Trudi. I asked my mother after the film who her's was, and she was far less hesitant: "the pilot". Trudi, the pilot, is a very strong and likeable character.

TRiG.

kea,

It's just occurred to me that it only just passes the anti-Bechdel test. I can think of only one scene (and that very short) with no female characters.

And there are three very strong female characters in the film, so it doesn't do too badly on the Bechdel scale, especially when you consider it's basically a "first-person" film with a male lead.

TRiG.

In fact, I'd be less worried about sexism, and more about semi-implied racism.

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MightyWhitey

TRiG.

http://kateharding.net/2010/02/26/strange-days/

I've been hearing about the racism alot.

The Bechdel Test (and anti-test) isn't just about the presence of gender though, it's about what the male and female characters get to do. You'd be amazed at the number of films and TV with multiple female characters that still fail the Bechdel test because they don't talk with each other about something other than a man.