‘The Martian’ showcases Matt Damon in a fun ride from Ridley Scott
Unlike Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar, Ridley Scott invokes “Hope” into the fabric of The Martian to make a more personal and engaging film. Matt Damon headlines an all-star cast, bringing the Andy Weir novel to life in a fast-paced, fun sci-fi ride.
The story is revealed straight away in the trailer: Damon’s Mark Watney is hit by debris during a storm on Mars, presumed dead as the team of scientists abandon the Red Planet. Watney survives and must find a way to continue his miraculous survival as a rescue team cannot arrive for years.
Watney’s long-term survival plan is truly engaging as he finds a way to grow potato plants using the packet of human waste, develop a rationing plan and ingenious ways to use the abandoned tech to travel and communicate.
Loaded with humor and great actors, The Martian delivers and entertains. Despite a rushed ending, audiences don’t leave let down and are truly ready to applaud several times during the film.
To further contrast Interstellar, Scott’s Martian is full of “tolerable” science and plausible events. Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Vincent arrives during the lulls away from Damon to keep the audience moving through conflict of rescuing a man trapped on Mars and the moral debate of sacrificing the many for the one – sorry Spock, Scott doesn’t mess it up.
Unlike Exodus or Prometheus, Scott avoids tedious dialogue and agenda driven concepts which would have distracted from a “rescue film.” Scott keeps the focus where it belongs – on Damon.
Damon’s best and most interesting performance in years. Physical challenges and emotional breakdowns are thread together perfectly as Damon proved he can be committed to deliver really demanding roles.
No surprise The Martian has succeeded at the box office, overall The Martian gets 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars.