Last month, I took a break from cramming for midterms and decided to see a movie for the first time in months (the fact that it happened to be $5 movie night may have impacted my decision). I have always been a sci-fi lover, especially when it comes to film, so choosing Ridley Scott's "The Martian" seemed like a smart choice. I mean, come on, this guy directed "Alien" for Pete's sake! Honestly though, I was a bit leery. After leaving the theater of the "critically acclaimed" "Gravity" unimpressed, I was concerned that standalone sci-fi movies were a thing of the past and that I'd have to wait until December for the next "Star Wars" to get my sci-fi fix. Oh, how sorely mistaken I was, as "The Martian" is the best standalone sci-fi flick I've seen in recent years.
For those unaware, "The Martian" follows the lives of six astronauts of multiple nationalities as they attempt to learn more about Mars through direct research on the planet's surface. When a massive storm threatens the security of the team, unit commander Melissa Lewis (Jessica Chastain) orders the squad to abort the mission and return home. In the ensuing confusion, only five of the six astronauts escape from the planet, leaving behind NASA botanist Mark Watney (Matt Damon) who is presumed dead after the storm. When it is discovered that Watney lives a few days later, a global movement begins to bring him home.
One of the reasons "The Martian" works so well is due to its excellent casting. Choosing Damon as the lead may have seemed like a strange move, but he nails the role perfectly. As he spends much of the movie alone, Damon is his own supporting actor, often exchanging both informative and humorous dialogue directly to the audience through the use of Watney's video journals.
The supporting actors and actresses are also well cast. The members of Watney's crew have perfect chemistry, poking fun and squabbling to a minor degree, while working tirelessly to bring their lost comrade back home. Even the NASA members, (who, let's face it, often get the shaft in space movies) are truly compelling characters with diverse points of view that clash throughout, making for a story that is just as interesting on Earth as it is on Mars.
"The Martian" also excels where a lot of other movies today fail, having a unique story that is engaging for the duration of the film, not just during the action sequences. Even in the recliner seats, many of the theatergoers (myself included) were on the edge of their seats during tense action sequences. This coupled with the film's surprisingly frequent use of comic relief (thanks, Donald Glover), and scientific accuracy made for a story that latches on from the very beginning and refuses to let go.
If you haven't seen "The Martian" yet, you're doing yourself a disservice. Ridley Scott's adaptation of the hit novel is living proof that we don't need aliens or Sith Lords to be afraid of space, that space alone is terrifying enough. With the recent discovery of water on Mars, it's all too fitting that "The Martian" is making a cosmic impact at the box office at the same time. Its excellent casting, top-notch visual and sound effects, and balanced story make for one of the best sci-fi movies of today.
