âLife is unsustainable in outer space.â Chilling words for those brave enough to enter the new frontier knowing that one mistake could be fatal for all.
Wow! Not since The Life of Pi have I seen a Hollywood production rivaling this movie. The story incorporates an amazing plot, incredible technology, stunning visual and special effects, humor, pathos, and itâs all backed up with amazing background music.
Matt Damon plays astronaut Mark Watney who is left behind on Mars when he is presumed dead and lost after an unfortunate weather front forces the mission to leave early. Abandoned, alone, and physically hurt, he makes his way back to the small station left behind and begins the effort to survive. Unable to communicate with anyone he takes stock of what supplies he has on hand and begins the process of determining how long he can survive. Knowing that NASAâs next mission to Mars is not only four years hence, but scheduled to land 1500 kilometers from his position, leaves little hope.
Eventually someone in the NASA space center in Houston notices some activity near the little Mars space station and ultimately they determine that it has to be Watney, shocked to find he must still be alive. Unable to communicate, they begin the technical and bureaucratic efforts to save him, impeded not only by the non-existent technology to pull it off, but the ten-month travel time to get there. That of course, after the months needed to pull together some kind of vehicle to do so.
The Martian
Entertainment Rating: ★★★★
Rating: PG-13, a handful of scattered profanities
Possible Oscar Nominations: Best Movie, Best Director, Ridley Scott; Best Actor, Matt Damon; Best Supporting Actor, Chiwetel Ejiofor; Best Supporting Actor, Jeff Daniels; Best Supporting Actress, Jessica Chastain; Cinematography, Film Editing, Art Direction, Set Design, Visual Effects, Special Effects.
From this point forward, the story becomes a technological marvel, as the NASA engineers and astronaut Watney work through complexities beyond imagination to come up with a rescue mission. At this juncture the myriad scientific expertise is overwhelming, and while difficult to keep up with, it really doesnât matter as you will get the gist of whatâs happening. (Be sure and bring your Tums with you, as the tension mounts from the opening scene).
Jeff Daniels plays the Director of NASA and is superb, as all decisions pertaining to the proposed rescue mission go through him. Jessica Chastain plays the captain of the spaceship that left Watney behind, and she plays a pivotal role as the story progresses. I have yet to see her in a movie where she doesnât deserve a nomination and this is no exception.
To approximate Mars’ dusty red environs the movieâs exteriors were shot in âWadi Rumâ in Southern Jordan. Also called the valley of the moon, the 278 square mile area looks about as Martian as you will find anywhere on earth.
You will have to see the movie to learn whether the rescue mission was successful or not, regardless this is a thrill ride not to be missed. Let me know what you think.
