The Martian (2015) (English Language)

Review

141min

Genre:     Sci-fi, Adventure, Drama

Director:  Ridley Scott

Cast:       Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Chiwetel Ejiofor…and more

Writers:   Drew Goddard and Andy Weir

Matt Damon stars as an astronaut inadvertently stranded on Mars after a storm forces his crew to abort their mission, with limited supplies and communication he must rely on his knowledge and ingenuity to survive and contact a world that presumes him dead in this Sci-fi survival story from director Ridley Scott.

In the latest addition to a genre he helped to revolutionize, Ridley Scott seems to have been influenced by recent Sci-fi fare in crafting a surprisingly lightly toned adventure/drama with distinctly dry humour, ‘The Martian’ might be Scott’s most enjoyable film in years without being weighed down by anything too profound.

Thanks to a combination of striking cinematography and stunning Jordanian locations, plus 1st rate production design of everything from costumes and technology to the vehicles and interiors, ‘The Martian’ has a flawless aesthetic in no small part driven by Ridley Scott’s meticulous attention to detail.

The narrative is kept simple and effective but the adaptation from Andy Weir’s novel loses some of the tension and thriller element while retaining its other defining qualities, Matt Damon delivers a compelling but not too dramatic lead performance supported by a strong ensemble cast, with Michael Peña stealing the comedic limelight for his second blockbuster of the year.

Perhaps the most defining element of the film’s success it the abundant humour and self-assured moments of levity in situations which are often stale in traditional sci-fi drama, thanks to a generous sprinkling of comedic moments and a retro soundtrack worked into the narrative, we often felt like we were watching a less flashy ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’.

Indeed the tone of ‘The Martian’ is somewhat of a departure for Ridley Scott which might be welcome by those who’ve been critical of his recent work but may be an issue for diehard fans, there’s no great tension or sense of real jeopardy, the film always feels optimistic and ultimately ‘The Martian’ is a mildly sentimental but thoroughly engaging tribute to scientific endeavour and an ode to the human spirit of exploration.

The Bottom Line…

A welcome change of pace from Ridley Scott results in a visually stunning and highly enjoyable Sci-fi survival drama with a distinctly comedic edge, perhaps a little lacking in emotional depth and originality, but with a well-executed light tone and solid performances ‘The Martian’ is an engaging space adventure with wide appeal.

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Similar films you may like (Home Video)

Moon (2008)

Astronaut/caretaker Sam Bell is the only man on a semi-automated lunar mining colony who starts to experience seemingly psychological issues towards the end of his 3-year mission, only to stumble onto a mystery that may threaten his life and relationship with those he left on Earth.

Directed by  Duncan Jones and starring Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey and Dominique McElligott among others.

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