The Martian Review
The Fanboy SEO dishes out his thoughts on this The Martian review post; stars Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels and directed by Ridley Scott.
SYNOPSIS:
When astronauts blast off from the planet Mars, they leave behind Mark Watney (Matt Damon), presumed dead after a fierce storm. With only a meager amount of supplies, the stranded visitor must utilize his wits and spirit to find a way to survive on the hostile planet. Meanwhile, back on Earth, members of NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring him home, while his crew mates hatch their own plan for a daring rescue mission.
To be honest, I’m caught between Gravity and The Martian as the best “Castaway in Space” movie; however I believe that Scott’s latest masterpiece is definitely a cut slightly higher than that of the Sandra Bullock starrer. Yeah that’s right, I liked this more than Gravity.
Scott knows how to play with both visuals and scoring away from this and he certainly picked his cast wisely. One could almost think that this a ‘could have been’ version of a certain film which dealt with time travelling or wormhole traveling. **cough** Interstellar **cough**
What’s different from ‘The Martian’ isn’t the stunning visual effects or the big name stars in the movie. It’s how the novel as well as the book’s sincere humor and POV driven plot as well as the big dilemmas that plague the main characters. I mean seriously, if you’re a well adjusted guy who knows you’re in a screwed situation, wouldn’t you just have to make things light rather than surrender to the fact that at any point in time, you could die a horrible death.
I’m also in the opinion that the film does not require 3D. Exodus tried to be “hip and trendy” with 3D but it was dismal. The point is the film has the potential to be a big hit without the flair and all those bells and whistles. Still wouldn’t hurt if you catch it on 3D. Your call.
This film deals in absolutes by the way. When its funny its funny, when its serious it has you by the edge of your seat and when its intense, boy did you wish you could inject youself with something that will calm your heart rate. That’s how good a movie ‘The Martian’ is and how blown away I am at how the film was execute.
Three more things.
Sean Bean doesn’t die here in this movie; also watch out for, what could be, THE BIGGEST META MOMENT in the film.
Secondly this is a walking support-Marvel-movie with some tongue in cheek references as well as some actual Marvel Studios stars and non-Marvel Studios stars. Looking at Sebastian Stan (who I really thought was Oscar Isaac at some point in the movie), Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kate Mara and of course a huge “Iron Man” reference during the climax.
I loved the disco music they chose for the film (on top of the musical scoring they also used), we’ve got a venerable list with the cherry on top being Gloria Gaynor’s classic hit “I Will Survive”.
VERDICT:
One or two small things they may have gotten wrong but Ridley Scott and his team definitely crafted a great movie with a solid hook and a unique adaptation. I’m sure ‘The Martian’ author Andy Weir has no problem with how his novel came out. Terrific visuals, great story, awesome comedy but a whooping running time, The Martian will leave you wanting to go back and re-experience everything Watney just went through.
10/10
