Review #18 | "The Martian" (2015)

In an era of viable space exploration, realistic science-based films are emerging as another way for our species to keep asking if we are really alone. No one could me more alone than Mark Watney, played by Matt Damon in this edgy adaptation of Andy Weir's novel. Directed by Ridley Scott, there is no wonder why this excellently cast film, along with all the Ridley-Scott-esque-ness (is this a term?), was going to flop. Honestly, there is almost no way it couldn't, at least from a box-office and marketing viewpoint. "The Martian" brings the comedy and the drama and hits it on the head every time.

Perhaps "The Martian" is piggybacking on the success of last years "Interstellar," directed by Christopher Nolan. Where "The Martian" stands apart from the successes of "Interstellar" is that the plot is based on a much more linear development than the plot development and emphasis on theoretical science which the former heavily marketed. For being a movie where the protagonist has to "science the shit of of this," the plot is actually more about the characters than the science. Can Watney mentally survive being stranded on Mars? How does the crew deal with their decisions? How do the people on Earth cope with the pressures of bringing home their astronaut? All of these questions drive the plot in some way or another, bringing very tender yet urgent humanity to the fantastic circumstances.

The original novel by Andy Weir is written as an anthology of log entries by Mark Watney, therefore to make a viable screenplay, Drew Goddard had to write substantial content for the crew and the NASA team on Earth. The worlds blend together so well that anyone who wasn't familiar with the source material would think that the content was provided by Weir. "The Martian" is not a short film, it runs about two and a half hours, but at no point does the plot go stale. There are so many outcomes that could happen that as a blind audience member you are constantly on the edge of your seat. Part of that effect comes from the amazing talents of Matt Damon. It is not easy for an actor to remain consistent without a scene partner, yet Damon does a really great job of implementing that reality as an actor into the reality of his character, who is, of course, stranded on Mars without a scene partner.

This cast is amazing. You cannot go wrong with any of them. The entire cast, Jessica Chastain, Michael Peña, Sebastian Stan, et al, the NASA crew, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kristin Wiig, Jeff Daniels, et al, all collaborate so well that it feels like these three very distinct settings (Earth, the Hermes ship, and Mars) all fell unique in their characteristics yet are linked between the characters. It's really fascinating to watch, especially considering that physically being in the same place to film was unnecessary since most of the time the different groups don't even physically meet.

Definitely a movie to go see this season. "The Martian" is highly enjoyable and breaks the stereotype that space movies have to be depressing, anxiety-driven dramas. If you're looking for a good time, this is a good choice to make.

Also, a round of applause for the editing team for cutting to Sebastian Stan (a.k.a. the freaking WINTER SOLDIER) after the Iron Man joke. Well played editors, well played...

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"The Martian" is rated R and runs 141 minutes.

Directed by Ridley Scott. Starring Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Michael Peña, Sean Bean, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mackenzie Davis, and Donald Glover.