“I’m the best botanist on this plant.” Watney.

Astronauts Watney, Martinez, Lewis and others are on Mars on a mission. The mission is designed to last a year, however, a terrible storm kicks up forcing the team to evacuate. During the storm an antennae breaks free; hits Watney and he disappears. Despite an attempt to search for him, the team must leave him behind or risk being killed.

It’s not a spoiler to let you know that shortly after the announcement of his death, we discover that Watney has survived though he is badly injured. The problem, which is definitely an understatement, is that he must now use his wit and skills to find a way to survive on an unforgiving planet.

The movie raises a lot of questions including those on a humanitarian level. For example, how much is one man’s life worth? Do you risk the lives of five astronauts to save one?

The good:

Matt Damon gives an excellent performance as Watney on everything from the sense of humor in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, to his changing physical appearance as the days wear on.

Richard Pena is most enjoyable as Astronaut Rick Martinez. Aside from his performance as Nick Memphis in the movie Shooter, this is now officially one of my favorite Pena characters.

The Martian has a “stellar” cast including: Jeff Daniels, Melissa Lewis, Mackenzie Davis, Chiwetel Ejiofor. Though his scenes are limited, Donald Glover steals the scenes in his role as Rich Purnell, a brilliant young scientist.

We learn that duct tape fixes everything, even in space.

The not-so-good:

We spend a lot of time with Watney, but while we catch glimpses of the personal lives of the astronauts as wives, girlfriends, husbands…, we actually learn very little about Watney and his personal life.

While the movie has a PG-13 rating and does it’s best to keep the language PG-13, if you’re super-sensitive to language, you may be a little, and I do mean very little, offended.

While the movie is suspenseful right up to the end, the audience pretty much knows the outcome way before the end of the movie, even though you sit there thinking, “maybe I’m wrong.”

Despite the possibility of Watney dying in space, there really aren’t any tear-jerker moments.

There aren’t any cinematic, panoramic views of the planet. It’s pretty much a red-background entity as if the director didn’t want the scenery to distract from the story line.

Overall, The Martian is a great, feel good movie, with just the right amount of action, suspense and funny moments to keep you on the edge of your seat.

I give The Martian 4 out of 5 stars.

Details:

Rating: PG-13 - A little language and quick glimpse of a naked man from the back.

Director: Ridley Scott
Run time: 144 minutes.



I paid for the movie out of my own expenses and have not been compensated for this movie.