Zooey didn't do much for me either way -- Trillian was the most disappointing character. In the books, I was much more about her than about Dent.

I always felt that Trillian was the least-developed character in the books/radio/tv series, and so I was impressed with Zooey for filling her out as much as she did. Of the four, she's the most divergent from other versions, but since she had less to work with than any of them, I thought she did a really good job. (Not sure I like this Trillian more than previous versions -- except for the TV series Trillian, who was just irritating -- but every time I've seen the film, I like her more. Which surprises me, because I'm not inherently a ZD fan.)

[eta:

Bill Nighy killed me with wonderfulness.

Oh god, he's so good in this. Just dead-on delivery of every line.]

Given that they decided to give us a love story with Trillian in, I guess they did what they had to. But I adore book!Trillian. She was ... sharper.

Did you catch the TV!Marvin in the lineup at the Vogon office? Cute.

Oh, and I thought the expressiveness of the Vogon Prostetnic Jeltz was marvellous. I liked the character design -- it's amazing what careful nose placement can do for your ugliness.

Even though I've been harshing on Trill, she had my favourite original line: That won't work on me. I'm already a woman.

Did you catch the

Oh, you bet. Funny story about that -- when they found the original Marvin suit, they could only find the top half. Nobody has any idea where the pants ended up. The suit is also smaller than they were expecting, so TV!Marvin in the film is being played by a woman with no pants on.

That line's gotten the biggest laughs in both the screenings I've been to.

The Vogon design was terrific. Props to the producers for deciding to go Creature Shop instead of CGI. (Even the whale is a model.)

Even though I've been harshing on Trill, she had my favourite original line:

That scene bugged me. While I really liked the execution, I felt it was a blatantly obtrusive method of letting the audience know everyone's feelings even though they were already nicely apparent in the subtext. Still, Trillian was great in it.

Another thing I loved was how often the towel was physically useful.

I don't know the composition of our audience and how many people unfamiliar with the source material were there, but everyone was laughing a whole lot, as a group. Never had that "I'm the only one who gets it" feeling.

I think the motivations were clear to us, but that that scene cleared Zaphod to get with the chick chasing him, as well as making almost light of a tool that was bound to get into Marvin's hands eventually. Plus, opportunities for characters to mimic other characters -- always appreciated by me.

Did I mention that I would marry Mos Def in thanks for his performance?

Hee. Okay, you've totally cleared that scene. Thanks. That was pretty much my major beef with the movie; everything else was fine.

Mos Def was incredibly charming and relaxed and did a terrific job with the role.

I would also take the casting director out for a beer. I think the casting was very good, but Freeman/Rockwell/Nighy were sort of ... well, born for those roles. They were obvious brilliant casting.

Whoever came up with the idea of Mos Def as Prefect (oh, can I mention I'd never thought of Prefect/Dent before the movie? What's wrong with me?) went a step beyond. As soon as I heard the casting, I was sure he'd be great, but I'd never have thought of it myself.

So if I only read the first book, and that only once a really long time ago, so I don't remember most of it, am I going to like H2G2?

The movie only covers events in the first book, pretty much, but loses a lot of detail, and adds stuff. I'd in no way say having read or remembered the book is required.