Movie Review: The Martian

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The highly-anticipated film The Martian, based on the bestselling novel of the same title by Andy Weir, follows astronaut and botanist Mark Watney (Matt Damon) as he fights to survive on Mars after he was presumed dead and left behind by his crewmates following a violent sandstorm. Using the limited resources he has, Watney must discover ways to grow food and create water to sustain himself during the four long years before another manned mission can make it to Mars to rescue him, all of which will mean nothing if he cannot find a way to contact NASA back on earth. Directed by renowned science-fiction director Ridley Scott and featuring the well-known talent of Jessica Chastain, Kristin Wiig, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, The Martian had high expectations to meet.

What sets The Martian apart from the typical science fiction film is how realistic it is. This goes beyond the fact that the film does not feature odd looking aliens or a far-fetched, action-packed plot. The story is based in sound, well-researched science (with a few exceptions changed for dramatic effect), and it presents a realistic depiction of what life alone on Mars would entail. Additionally, the characters have a depth and a realness to them. Damon does an incredible job capturing the humor and wit of Watney that readers of the book know and love while still exploring the frustration and despair that accompany the setbacks he faces during his struggle to survive. Human morality and drive to overcome all odds are explored throughout the film in the arcs of the many other characters as they grapple with the challenge and implications of rescuing Watney. Everything else aside, the movie also had breathtakingly beautiful moments, with sweeping shots of Mars’ beautiful terrain emphasized by the film’s amazing score.

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My one criticism of the film is the time jumps scattered throughout the film. At times I felt that the leaps forward in time were a bit sudden and made the plot feel a little disjointed. One time skip towards the very end of the movie was particularly abrupt, which I suppose that could have been arranged for dramatic effect. Although I will concede that the filmmakers faced a nearly impossible task of condensing four years of a man’s life into two hours, I still felt that the transitions were slightly hasty.

The Martian strikes a remarkable balance between the complexity of both the scientific and human sides of the story. With the perfect amount of humor, suspense, and technological references, the film has something for everyone, and I recommend it (and the book) to everyone in the NDA community.

 

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5 out of 5)