Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain and Kristen Wig
‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’
Can you imagine being stranded on a planet in outer space?
Space survival is a fascinating subject which has often made for memorable movies. Ever since Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey”, movies about space survival have achieved popularity. Audiences have grown to admire movies capturing struggles of astronauts facing obstacles that are dire. One of the main reasons why these movies are so effective is that they capture our basic human need for survival. It’s often inspiring to see astronauts overcoming obstacles to attain an impossible mission on planets that are terrifying. With their stunning visuals, gorgeous storytelling and strong acting, films capturing space survival have achieved a huge fan following. Films about struggles astronauts face in space have become entertainment audiences embrace.
Over the past few years, I have seen several memorable movies capturing space survival. However, few films have left an impression on me as strong as “The Martian”. Released in 2015, Ridley Scott’s movie did an exceptional job of capturing a man seeking to survive on the planet of Mars. Boasting exquisite production, sharp storytelling and phenomenal performances, it’s a spectacular space survival classic. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance from Matt Damon, who embodies a courageous astronaut that’s dedicated to survive on Mars. Ultimately, the film delivers a strong message about survival which would definitely resonate with everyone. A stunning space masterpiece, there are several reasons why “The Martian” is a film worth watching.
Based on the celebrated novel, “The Martian” follows a committed astronaut’s struggle to survive on a planet that’s isolated. Matt Damon embodies Mark Watney, an astronaut that’s stuck in a dire situation of being stranded on Mars. After he’s left behind by his NASA team in space, Mark is stuck in a hopeless situation that’s hard to face. Without food, water or any resources, Mark is forced to rely on his human instincts to survive the worst tragedy possible. Despite reassurances from his crew back home with whom he communicates through satellite, Mark isn’t sure if he will survive the plight. Facing obstacles that are painful, Mark wonders whether his mission of survival is any longer possible.
Ridley Scott is fascinated with space. A stellar British filmmaker, Scott has often made films about astronauts in space facing danger. His iconic 1979 movie “Alien” captured astronauts struggling to survive alien tragedies in space. With “The Martian”, however, Scott created his first space adaptation. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a celebrated book about space survival on the big-screen, but he pulled it off successfully. Using strong cinematography, Scott captured an astronaut’s journey striving to survive space catastrophe. Scott effectively uses cross-cutting capturing tension faced by an astronaut on a survival mission. The movie deftly switches back and forth between action on Mars capturing Mark Watney’s survival and rescue plans of crews on Earth. Through cross-cutting, Scott captures hardships astronauts stranded in space go through. Using stunning visuals, Scott captures an astronaut seeking to survive a planet which is terrifying.
Another admirable aspect of “The Martian” is the production-design. From a technical point-of-view, the film is extremely well-made. Scott effectively uses practical effects to capture a man seeking to survive on Mars. Whether it’s realistic explosions or real found footage, Scott utilizes effective practical effects capturing a man on a survival mission. For instance, practical effects enhance the explosion scene. During this hilarious scene, Mark accidentally blows up a crop of plants in an experiment. It’s hard to not marvel in astonishment at breathtaking practical effects capturing astronauts seeking survival in space in styles recalling Alfonso Cauron’s “Gravity”. Moreover, the music is magnificfent. Harry Gregson-Williams’ score captures tragic hardships faced by astronauts stranded in space. Through engaging production, Scott crafts a strong space mission.
Storytelling is one of the key reasons why “The Martian” is a survival movie which is engaging. The film is beautifully written, and successfully uses tragicomedy to capture a man seeking to survive space tragedy. Ridley Scott’s greatest screenwriting strength is capturing emotion of a man seeking to survive catastrophes through tragicomedy. Evoking Robert Zemeckis’ “Cast Away”, Scott uses tragicomedy to capture one man’s journey to survive catastrophe. The film deftly switches back and forth between tragedy and comedy. At times, the film is dead serious and solemn especially during the scene where Mark Watney struggles to find hope in space. However, the movie is also at the same time funny. Taking a point of view on life that’s optimistic, Mark finds humour in a situation that’s detructive. He often cracks jokes about his crops. Through this exceptional technique, Scott crafts an extraordinary character which audiences can easily relate to. Tragicomedy is a tricky technique to use in science-fiction movies. However, it works extremely well in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Scott creates a compelling film about space survival today.
One admires astonishing performances. In a star-studded cast, every actor gets a chance to shine and leave a lasting impression.
Matt Damon delivers one of his greatest career performances as Mark Watney Damon earned appreciation for playing spies in action movies. With “The Martian”, however, Damon embodies his first space role. It’s challenging to embody the personality of a man surviving space tragedy, but he succeeds tremendously. It’s a role that allows the actor the opportunities to capitalize on his charisma. With riveting expressions, he captures the angst, desperation and heroism of an astronaut with a strong drive to survive a catastrophic tragedy in space. it’s a phenomenal performance from one of the greatest actors working in the film industry today.
The supporting cast is extraordinary and also merits recognition. Chiwetel Ejiofor is excellent, capturing the rigour of an agent that is driven to rescue the life of an astronaut in a situation of grave danger. Jessica Chastain is powerful, bringing pain to an astronaut blaming herself for failing to rescue a comrade whose life is in vain. Lastly, Danny Glover is phenomenal. As an intelligent technology analyst, he brings intelligence to the movie.
Finally, “The Martian” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing a survival mission. It’s one of those rare space survival movies that would resonate with everyone. The film tackles powerful themes of bravery, perseverance and teamwork which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of survival movies to appreciate it. It delivers a universal message about survival which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Martian” is one of those rare movies about space survival which everyone would embrace.
Fans of the space genre will definitely enjoy “The Martian” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A spectacular space survival blockbuster, it captures hardships faced astronauts seeking to survive planets in grave danger.
Nearly 10 years after the release of an iconic film about dedicated astronauts stranded on the planet of Mars whose lives are deteriorated, it’s a captivating reminder about the enduring appeal of space survival movies which haven’t lost their abilities to leave audiences captivated by telling relatable tales about heroes that are conflicted whose inspirational stories about surviving calamity against all odds stacked against their favour deserves to be celebrated.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 