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Review: The Martian is the Pinnacle of Popcorn Cinema

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If anything, The Martian is a story of hope, perseverance, and the profound truth that nerds will in fact save us all.

Movies, when done right, have the power to inspire the masses. Since their inception, great films existed to promote change, to catalyze conversation, to enter the consciousness of the viewer. With recent additions to the medium like the criminally underrated and deeply spiritual Interstellar and triumphant Gravity, the masses have once again looked to the stars, wondering how we might one day reach and name them all. Pop culture has decided, once again, that nerds are cool, geeks are chic, and science is fundamental.

No one does science – well, science fiction – and outer space quite like Ridley Scott. In a true return to form, Scott takes the helm of the Drew Goddard-penned (based on the novel by Andy Weir) The Martian. Detailing the story of NASA Botanist Mark Watney (Matt Damon), an astronaut presumed dead when he goes missing on the first manned mission to Mars, the Martian is basically the popcorn version of Interstellar. In other words, this is a movie accessible to the masses that trusts in the intelligence of its audience without attempting to inspire much more than the awe of a feel-good story. Buoyed with strong performances from an ensemble cast –particularly Damon and Chiwetel Ejioforthe Martian propels us into Oscar season in exactly the right way: with caution.

Matt Damon portrays an astronaut who faces seemingly insurmountable odds as he tries to find a way to subsist on a hostile planet. Image courtesy of EPK.TV

Matt Damon portrays an astronaut who faces seemingly insurmountable odds as he tries to find a way to subsist on a hostile planet. Image courtesy of EPK.TV

Goddard presents the story in such a way that demands the audience connect with Watney; utilizing the journal-type structure of the novel, Damon’s character literally speaks to the camera, leaving a living log of his tale. It is a brilliantly simplistic plot device creating the sense that we are watching a real person in peril. Adding this to Damon’s innate “everyman” quality, it is nearly impossible to root against the guy. Further, despite the film’s myriad of characters — each more complex in their motives than the last — the viewer never becomes lost or confused.

Scenes unfold in an organic way, and the characters deal with situations that make sense to the person created on screen. No action appears forced or out of character for anyone. When not on Mars with Watney, we are privy to how NASA, the crew who left him behind, and the world at large handle the news of his death, and ultimately, the heartbreaking notion that though he might have survived the accident that stranded him on the red planet, all indications are that he will die there. Slowly. For a film with heavy themes, the Martian adds the patented Goddard-charm and levity that populated his other works: Cloverfield, Cabin in the Woods, and Netflix’s Daredevil.

Scott portrays Mars as intensely beautiful and alternately deadly with stark images and vibrant hues. Working with cinematographer Dariusz Wolski (The Walk, Pirates of the Caribbean, Prometheus), Scott develops a theme of “vastness” all throughout the work. Even the scenes on earth, in NASA and beyond, show how tiny each individual is in the cosmos. Every shot is choreographed in a way that details the space in each frame – as if distance, emptiness, is a character. Don’t be surprised if the Martian nabs Best Film Editing at the 2016 Academy Awards, as it boasts two of the best montages ever put to film. Science montages.

Scott is known for his ability to work with casts large in number and name, and this one is no exception; the cast list reads like a guest roster for the coolest Oscar Party in town. There is never a moment where one actor outshines another in a scene, however, and Scott allows the interactions between characters to breathe, bringing in that pesky space again. Jeff Daniels is the hard-nosed Head of NASA tasked with maneuvering governmental red tape to bring Watney home. Ejiofor butts heads with NASA Public Relations Coordinator Kristen Wiig – shining as always — and Jessica Chastain embodies the tragic Captain Lewis, whose personal mistake left Watney stranded. The one sour note in the film as far as casting is concerned is Kate Mara as Beth Johanssen, programmer and data analyst who does very little but mug up the camera at inappropriate times. Mara’s take on Johanssen is very Punky Brewster – the precocious hanger-on that the adults just humor. I’m sure that is just me.

(from left) Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Sebastian Stan, Kate Mara, and Aksel Hennie portray the crewmembers of the fateful mission to Mars. Image via EPK.TV

(from left) Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Sebastian Stan, Kate Mara, and Aksel Hennie portray the crewmembers of the fateful mission to Mars. Image via EPK.TV

Despite the film being deeply rooted in scientific theory and sophisticated ideas, Scott and Goddard trust the audience to follow along with a man who is very relatable in his loneliness and fear. With the video-log device, Damon is able to explain to us what he is doing and why, as if Bill Nye were to walk us through it. NASA must always brief the public, so we always know where we are in the story. I hate to continue to compare the film to Interstellar… but I’m going to do it anyway.

It is not the purpose of every film to make a philosophical statement or begin some deeply sentimental movement. The Martian is smart, sleek, and well-acted; consequently, it is also relatable in a way Interstellar probably was not. You can chew your Junior Mints and cheer Watney on, hoping he escapes Mars and makes the leap home, and you can cry with every defeat he experiences. But this film will not live with you in the way Nolan’s film still exists in me. You will leave the theatre and soon forget about the plight of all of its characters.

And that is okay. Some films are meant to just entertain. You’ll enjoy your time there, trust me, and I particularly wish you’ll witness its beauty in the theatre, as films this aesthetically pleasing should be viewed. All that said; a statement, the Martian is not. Read the book for all the statement you need.

Far from fluff but south of brilliance, The Martian is a good film, just shy of great. Beautiful shot, tremendously edited, well-acted and directed; the script is both fun and sincere without ever being challenging. This movie is worth your time, but please do not mistake it for the best thing you’ll see all year. We can do better.

The post Review: The Martian is the Pinnacle of Popcorn Cinema appeared first on Truth On Cinema.


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