MOVIE REVIEW: The Martian (2015)

The Martian (2015)

Adventure, Drama, Sci-Fi

Directed By: Ridley Scott

It is fairly simple to see why this movie has been at the top of everyone's "most anticipated" lists of this year. With Ridley Scott directing and with an adapted screenplay from Drew Goddard this movie has all the makings for a groundbreaking science fiction movie, and that is exactly what we have been given. People have been a little low on Scott since his last few movies were not his best work (I still stand as an unabashed lover of Prometheus) but what he brings to screen this time around embodies everything he does best as a director. The Martian is a highly intense, edge of your seat science fiction epic that is absolutely gorgeous to look at and maybe the best time you will have in a theater this year. 

The film follows Mark Watney (Matt Damon), a NASA astronaut/botanist who is left behind on mars after a manned mission goes off the rails due to a massive storm. He is presumed dead and the crew leaves without him, only to find some time later that he is actually alive and as well as can be on Mars. Watney knows that his chances of survival are slim and that he is going to have to "science the shit" out of everything in order to survive long enough to be saved. Meanwhile back on Earth NASA is doing whatever they can to find a plausible way to save this mans life, and get some good press while doing it. As with all space travel, huge problems arise and by the time his rescue mission comes around his task seems more fantasy than reality. 

This movie proves that Ridley Scott has still got it, watching this film it felt like he's never missed a step. The man who brought us two of the greatest science fiction movies of all time (Alien, Blade Runner) has now given us one of the best of the modern century. In true Scott fashion he has made the most beautiful film of the year that begs to be seen on the biggest screen possible. Every shot on Mars is absolutely stunning to the point where you would think we have actually had men on mars for decades. In fact, this is so well done that there truly are moments where this seems more like factual account of reality than a work of fiction. 

For those that are not aware, The Martian is an adaptation of a novel written by Andy Weir and if you know about Hollywood, book adaptations are never easy to accomplish. What is written in a book is typically quite difficult to translate to screen and that is why Drew Goddard deserves as much praise as anyone for this film. His adapted screenplay works amazingly and that is mostly because of the masterful dialogue written for the film. Considering how much explaining they do of science almost no one in the audience knows anything about, this film is as fluent as can be. You understand what they are talking about and why it would work that way. Somehow Goddard brought rocket science down to a level that we can all comprehend at least the basics. If that isn't incredible enough he managed to also capture true comedy within the script that seems to fit so well with the characters and story that you never once question why it is there. 

The film is truly an ensemble cast, featuring a whole slew of names that any casual fan would know but it is Matt Damon who is the focal point of the movie, and his performance that elevates the film. His portrayal of Mark Watney is one the best performances he has put in his entire career, which is saying a lot if you follow his work. He is charismatic, funny as all hell, and when it comes down to it, highly emotional and it makes for a wonderfully rounded character. In the laundry list of supporting actors, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jeff Daniels, and Donald Glover stand out as the most interesting and complex characters though everyone adds a nice bit of their own flavor throughout the film. 

On the surface, The Martian is a simple survival film in the most exoctic location of all. When you dig a little deeper though this film really focuses on so much more, like the politics of NASA and why just going into space isn't really all that easy. It shows the bond of friendship and the power of human will when faced with unbeatable odds. This film is inspiring and hopeful, unlike so many other movies set in the near future. It wants us to believe that we can still do good and that we will do good, and most of all it begs that space travel and exploration isn't dead, but simply awaiting the next step. If you are going to check out The martian this week, see it on the biggest screen possible and revel in the majesty of this film. 

As Always, thanks for reading and I am Zach Who Watches Movies. You can find me anytime on twitter @ZachWWMovies, smell ya later!