The Martian Movie Review (Spoiler Free)

Based on the novel by Andy Weir, The Martian depicts astronaut Mark Watney’s fight for survival on the desolate planet Mars. This review concludes my Ridley Scott sci-fi series, so hold on and enjoy...

Genre: Drama / Sci-Fi

Director: Ridley Scott

Cast: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kristen Wiig, Michael Peña, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie & Sean Bean. 

Run Time: 141 min.

US Release: 02 October 2015

UK Release: 30 September 2015German Release: 08 October 2015

Ridley Scott is back with one of the best films of 2015. I said it in my Prometheus review, and I’ll say it again: this man is at his best when directing science fiction, and The Martian proves it. But this is more than just a space tale. Andy Weir infused his story with such optimistic energy that it sends a genuinely uplifting message about humanity as a whole.

There is one suggestion I will make straight away: If you want to see and enjoy this movie, do not watch the trailer, as it gives away much of the plot. It did not dampen my overall experience, but there might be individuals who may feel disappointed by it.

The Martian revolves around botanist and astronaut Mark Watney (Damon), who, after a dangerous storm on Mars, is left stranded by his crew, who believe he has died. NASA director Teddy Sander (Daniels) holds a funeral for Watney on Earth, while analysts at NASA review satellite images from Mars that reveal Watney has survived.

The stranded astronaut must now find a scientific way to cultivate food on Mars while trying to re-establish contact with Earth. In the meantime, NASA engineer Vincent Kapoor (Ejiofor) contacts the crew of the Hermes, who are already on their journey back home, and works alongside mission commander Melissa Lewis (Chastain) to devise a rescue plan.

Scott’s sci-fi drama received widespread praise from critics following its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, with many celebrating his return to form after a string of rather disappointing releases. I can only agree. The Martian ranks among the finest space survival flicks alongside Gravity and Interstellar.  

The screenplay is marvellous. I simply have to applaud Drew Goddard for his adaptation. Rather than straying from the novel, he remains remarkably faithful to Weir’s source material while successfully translating it to the big screen. 

What surprised me most was just how funny this film was and how naturally it balanced suspense with humour. Yet none of the comedy ever feels forced. Instead, it grows organically from Watney’s optimism and his refusal to surrender to an impossible, at times hopeless, situation.

I was equally amazed by just how uplifting this science-fiction blockbuster turned out to be, again thanks to the optimism of its lead character. The movie is essentially Cast Away on Mars, yet it somehow manages to leave the audience feeling hopeful. It is also one of the most scientifically grounded films I have seen, thanks to the author's extensive research and Goddard's faithful adaptation.

If I had to point out one weakness, it would probably be that some of the scenes playing on Earth run a little bit too long, as I found myself far more invested in Watney’s struggle on Mars. Even so, those moments remain vital, expanding the narrative while providing valuable scientific context.

Mark Watney is by far the most likeable character in the film. He is an uber-optimistic scientist blessed with endless charisma, and Matt Damon portrays him brilliantly. I would even go so far as to call this one of his finest performances since Good Will Hunting. His character becomes a genuine role model for facing a seemingly hopeless situation; he remains optimistic, charismatic, humorous, and defiantly refuses to accept the cards destiny handed him.  

Chiwetel Ejiofor and Jeff Daniels are both excellent as NASA engineer Vincent Kapoor plus director Teddy Sanders. Their opposing views on how to handle the situation perfectly visualise the politics and bureaucracy found not only within NASA, but within every governmental department in general. 

Kate Mara, Michael Peña, Sebastian Stan and Aksel Hennie all do a terrific job at depicting the crew members of the Hermes. Jessica Chastain, in particular, stands out as mission commander Melinda Lewis, delivering another commanding performance.

The cinematography is beautiful, as expected from a Ridley Scott production. The scenery of Mars’ endless red deserts, its vast canyons, and dangerous sandstorms all look breathtakingly realistic. The lead character’s video logs are cleverly used as a way for him to break the fourth wall and speak directly to the audience. Simply put, this is a beautifully shot film, and once again cinematographer Darius Wolski deserves enormous praise for his work after previously collaborating with Scott on Prometheus.

The musical score composed by Harry Gregson-Williams is another wonderful component of this blockbuster . The music perfectly complements the visuals and the atmosphere of the story. I also loved that Commander Lewis’ obsession with 1970’s disco became a recurring gag, since it was the only music available for Mark Watney during his stranding on the planet. 

Verdict: The Martian is one of the finest flicks of 2015. It tells a compelling and scientifically grounded story, while every member of the cast delivers strong performances, especially Matt Damon. It is a breathtakingly beautiful sci-fi adventure, and one that deserves to be experienced on the big screen! I happily award The Martian a well-earned 10 out of 10.

Did you go see it yet? If so, what was your opinion? Did you also read the book or just watched the movie? If you are interested in reading further reviews of Ridley Scott movies, you’ll find them here, in my Blog.