The Martian
The Martian – directed by Ridley Scott
My first impression, is that this film is the most dynamic movie of the year – so far. In terms of storytelling, it has all the elements filmgoers and critics want to see in a great film: epic scale action and pathos in story, technological filmmaking perfection, great direction and acting. “The Martian” has all of these elements. Scott is a great craftsman when it comes to the filmmaking process. He knows how to balance all of the elements to create an excellent product. While he may have stumbled with his personal film, “Prometheus.” Scott has crafted a classic science fiction movie that gives the audience everything they expect when they plunk down their hard-earned cash and surpasses it. This is an international sensation involving – not just America and Europe – the Chinese as heroes in the adventure of space. We don’t have any government villains here. Nor is the bureaucracy pictured as contrarians. Scott balances the story, showing us the personal journey of one man’s struggle, while also reflecting on the behind-the-scenes story of the scientists who help the astronauts pull through.
The principle focus of conflict is survival – “Castaway” meets “Gravity” – in the battle of one (wo)man versus his or her circumstances. You can roll over and accept your fate, or get down to the business of making what you have work for you. Andy Weir researched everything from botany (Mark’s area of expertise) to astro-physics to how the JPL works. He wanted it all in the novel and it’s there. “The Martian” often bogs down at times, trying to get it right. That aspect appeals to the sc-fi geek fans who appreciate it when authors and filmmakers load the story with the right kinds of details about what works in space and what doesn’t. In most instances, Scott and his advisors got things right. (For when they didn’t, follow the link below)
The film is gorgeous to behold. Some of it shot in Jordan at the famed Wadi Rum with its red sands and high cliffs – perfect for a Martian landscape. DP Dariusz Wolski (Pirates of the Caribbean films) gives Mars a rich Grand Canyon feel with wide shots that diminish the character to scale – a tiny dusty trail on a giant landscape. This film has the same visual appeal as a “Lawrence of Arabia” with its wide shots of the desert landscape – desolate, windy and lonely. Unlike the intimacy of “Castaway” on an island, Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is lost in the middle of a desert so large it dwarfs the Sahara by thousands of miles.
Yet, when Scott returns to the character on Mars, we find him in close quarters at times, making do with potatoes and ketchup for dinner, listening to endless loops of disco music that becomes one of the running gags for comic relief. Scott manages to draw the timeline short at times – the scene where Mark extracts the rod from his stomach – to condensed, where we see how the water affects the Martian soil.
I found no weakness in a strong supporting cast. While Damon is the main focus, the spaceship crew, the NASA staff, and the JPL players all had significant parts to play and kept the film’s pace brisk. Not once during the show did I feel the story drag or weaken. You’ve got top players with integral parts all contributing to a satisfying resolution to this grand scale science fiction drama. Even the score that climaxes with the liftoff of the rescue ship by Harry Gregson-Williams stands out as one of the most unique film scores since “Lord of the Rings” and is bound to garner Academy attention at the end of the year.
This movie represents a return of Scott to great filmmaking. When many said Ridley Scott had made his last good film, they spoke in haste. Not only is “The Martian” a great science fiction drama; it will go down in cinema history as one of Scott’s best, far surpassing “Alien” as his jewel in the crown. I was so enthralled by what I saw on the screen, I will make a bold prediction that “The Martian” will be nominated for Best Picture, Scott for Best Director, and Damon as Best Actor. It’s that good! And I’m not alone. Over 90% of the Top Critics believe that, too. It’s not to be missed.
Here is the link that discusses the true science of Mars for those who like geeky stuff.
http://space.io9.com/science-of-the-...asc-1734726471
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