Title: The Martian (2015)
Director: Ridley Scott (Black Hawk Down)
Cast: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, Michael Pena, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kate Mara, Donald Glover, Sean Bean
Plot: After a mission on Mars goes awry, botanist and astronaut Mark Watney (Damon) must find a way to survive on the seemingly uninhabitable red planet.
“Hi, I’m Mark Watney and I’m still alive… obviously”
Review by Eddie on 02/10/2015
Well this is refreshing. After years of average (Exodus, Prometheus) to downright terrible (Counselor) films, long serving and renowned director Ridley Scott has with this feel-good blockbuster of the year created his most proficient and memorable movie experience since he thrilled the world in the early 2000s with his Russell Crowe star-making vehicle Gladiator. Yes sir ladies and gentleman, The Martian shows us all that the grey haired director has a few tricks up his sleeve yet.
The Martian is in many ways Scott’s most readily accesible film. It’s a long film (perhaps slightly too much so) and many of its scenarios are the very definition of ‘it could only happen in the movies,’ but for all the minor quibbles this is a feel good film, of which is a rarity of Scott’s filmography and a film that will likely thrill audiences the world over, despite there never really being any doubt as to where our final destination will end up.
Adapted from Andy Weir’s well loved novel that at one stage started its life as an ebook, this Cast Away on Mars tale is unafraid to show its colors from the outset and with very little lead in exposition and bare bones backstory, The Martian builds its tale around unbridled hope, a large dollop of humor and technically sound filming that’s anchored by a Matt Damon performance that could well see the beloved actor play an important part in the upcoming awards season.
Perhaps wanting to do an undercover sequel to his Interstellar character of last year (complete with fellow cast mate Jessica Chastain) , The Martian once more sees Damon marooned on a distant planet but this time there’s no mere cameo as Damon holds the very film on his considerable shoulders.
He may have been a significant reason as to why the Bourne series is such a phenomenon but never before has Damon had more to do than here and he nails every aspect of Mark Watney. Watney – a man who conveniently seems to know everything about anything – needed to be a man we care and root for and thanks to Damon we do. It may take around 40 minutes or so to completey win us over but when Damon starts to dance along to one of the films many disco tunes in his trusty rover you can’t help but enjoy every last minute of Watney’s battle to survive.
It’s not the classic some of the pre-hype may have made us believe, but The Martian is a great big budget sci-fi blockbuster that within it holds a standout turn from Damon, who outshines anything else within the film which includes impressive vistas and a somewhat underused support cast. After some lingering doubts, fans of Ridley Scott can rest easy knowing the man who bought us Alien, Blade Runner and a number of other film classics is not done with making quality films just yet.
4 delicious potatoes out of 5
Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys) 
Headed to see it this weekend. Loved the trailer when it came out. October is going to a very busy month for cinemas. Lots of intriguing movies opening.
It’s a great time for movie lovers mate. Enjoy.
E
Seeing this tomorrow night! I love the book so much and I’m hoping for all of Mark to be portrayed by Matt. His character in the book is what makes it so enjoyable. I laughed and cheered him on the whole time I was reading. I just hope the movie makes me do those same things.
I think you’ll be more than impressed by the film.
E
Well written, you’ve pretty much nailed this one, although I’d say you probably enjoyed this slightly more than I did!
It was a tough line call mate between 3 and a half and 4.
E
I can’t wait to see this movie, and glad to see it’s getting good reviews.
It won’t dissapoint!
E
Good review eddie.. makes me want to see it a bit more!
Reckon you’d enjoy it man but prob not as good as Sicario.
E
I need to see this film, love these big sci-fi’s in the cinema! I’m still disappointed that I never got to see Interstellar in the cinema so I definitely need to catch this.
Pretty happy with my choice to catch this one and my choice to see Interstellar twice at the cinema 🙂
E
That movie looks soooo good. I cannot wait to see it! Matt Damon is such a great actor!
Any fan of Damon will love this!
E
Reblogged this on GUM: Growing Up Millennial.
Oh man, 5 stars all the way for me. This thing just rocked. It’s not as good as Scott’s earlier and better pieces but considering how dour a film this could have become, the uplift just sent me soaring. I need to read Weir’s book now. Great review!
Cheers for the kind words Tom. It really was a great feel good tale. Something held I back a little for me that couldn’t allow me to give it more than 4 but it was absolutely one of the better Blockbuster’s of this year! I hope this sets Scott up to make a much better Prometheus follow up.
E
I still need to see Prometheus and see what everyone’s talking about there. I look forward to it, though I understand it’s not one of his best.
Yeh it was sadly hugely disappointing mate despite some awesome visuals and neat ideas. I do hold out hope it can still deliver come a sequel though.
E
Hmmm, I seem to be pretty alone in my indifference towards this film. Check out my latest post if you feel so inclined, I’d be interested to hear what you think.
Will do Jordan.
E
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I liked it. A good feel good movie
Yhe Kieran exactly, that’s all it was ever supposed to be I guess 🙂
E
At first I wanted it to be darker, but the more I thought about it the happier I was to have a movie that celebrated humanities willingness to help each other. It was all very Hollywood, but the message was good. Still, I wish he got raped by an alien or something
Now that would’ve been a twist ending!
E
I loved the book and movie. I feel like rarely have I liked a lead character more in both. I wanted to cheer!
Oh for sure! Damon really owned this performance and made the character his own.
E
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