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

Better than I thought it would be - mind you, I'd had a couple of pints before hand. Doesn't aim quite as low as the very similar Martin Lawrence flick Big Momma's House, but there's only centimetres between them in places. Very much an Eddie Murphy vehicle, quite possibly a bus due to all the roles he performs (like to see Mike Myers top this one ), it's mostly good, if occasionally gross, fun. This of course depends entirely on your tolerance for Eddie Murphy.

Why?...

Why did I let myself get talked into seeing this?

Why did they make it?

The answer to the first question is probably due to my being weak willed and unreasonably optimistic.

And the answer to the second question musy surely be tied up with money, desparation and poor judgement.

I guess, Mustapha, I find it harder to tolerate EM than you - though you did confess to a little drink beforehand!

The sad thing is that I can't help thinking that EM is capable of much, much more than this. Even in NP2, his main character and some of the others show he could perhaps portray more convincing human qualities, such as tenderness and vulnerability. Okay, so it was a comedy - allegedly so. But the schoolboy humor only pointed to a lack of comic ideas and a thin script.

I'll admit to being a fan of gross humour. I guess it was just the progression of naughty humour, which largely demised following the 70s¹, to the alternative humour of the 80s such as, and especially, the Young Ones. It just naturally followed on from there.

But even if you didn't like the schoolboy humour, you have to admit, EMs characterisations and interaction were amazing, given that for much of the film, it's a one-man show! I was suitably impressed with Mother Klump, among others.


¹ The notable exception being "Allo Allo"

Yes, it's amazing what they can do with camera tricks and technology. I thought the same after Hollow Man. But as we get more used to this, we rightly expect more of the script, the actors, etc.

EM's characterizations just go to show what he might be able to do. I've no doubt he's talented, but I just don't think he's exploited his talents well.

Well, apart from doing a one-man show on stage (which he's already done), what more can he do?

And another thing, people have come to expect certain things from an Eddie Murphy flick, such as action, comedy and a fair amount of foul language. If he went and did something different, Joe Public may well get confused and just not go.

Perhaps he could expand his horizons, push himself to discover his abilities in new directions.

Even if Joe Public didn't like it, he's got plenty of money already, and all that's missing is my approval and admiration.

I think he donates quite a bit of his money to help out financially-struggling LA transvestite sex workers.

Is that where he gets the inspiration for some of his characters in NP2?

I think he's been going down hill since Trading Places, when he seemed to be stepping into Richard Pryor's shoes!

I wonder what happened to him?

Much like Muhammad Ali in his later life, Pryor is more or less known these days for his crippling medical condition (MS). Last thing I saw him in was a guest spot on Chicago Hope.

That's sad.

This week I've got a choice between Dinosaur, Romeo Must Die and Road Trip. It's got to be RMD first. Road Trip is probably 'your cup of tea', as the Brits might say, i.e. naughty!

For gross comedy or crude humour, I enjoyed Scary Movie a lot more. The stream of jokes is relentless, so you get more bang for your buck. Which is important in the genre - the first joke softens you up for the next, and the next, etc, so in the end you just can't help but laugh at the silliest thing.

Eddie Izzard's stand-up comedy works pretty much along the same lines I think.

Though I wouldn't class Eddie's comedy as especially gross or crude.

Brit comics with similar relentless streams include the late Les Dawson (his face made me laugh), Spike Milligan (who helps by making himself laugh with tears) and cute lil' Ronnie Corbett, who occasionally can really get me laughing.