Ridley
Scott occasionally strikes out from time to time but just like having a
delicious bisque, future orders may not live up to your expectation but you
keep ordering it because you know you might get something sublime.Mr. Scott rewarded those who stuck with him
by hitting a home run with his most recent film The Martian (2015). Ridley Scott has built his reputation on sci-fi
world building and depicting the epic scope of a location/setting. The Martian (2015) has Mr. Scott certainly
playing to his strong suits.
In his
latest outing Ridley Scott may not be a recreating the Roman Coliseum but he is
still creating a vast epic world. The Setting/Landscape of Mars is imposing and
its scale is very tangible to the audience. One couldn’t help but think of the
John Ford westerns that had Monument Valley as their backdrop. Man vs. Nature
and the imposing desolate power of Mars is made clear early in this film. Mat
Damon’s Mark Watney sums up how he feels about the red giant when he says,
“fuck mars.”
Ridley
Scott is known for his world building. He earned that reputation directing
films like Blade Runner (1982), Alien (1979), and Gladiator (2000). He reasserts his reputation as one of Hollywood’s
preeminent world builders in The Martian (2015).
It’s not just the breathtaking exteriors of Mars but his depiction of the space
program of the near future and the familiar yet futuristic tech. of the space
program.
The Martian (2015) is an action movie whose
hero Mark Watney played by Matt Damon never fires a gun. The inhospitable Martian environment is Mark Watney's enemy and science is his
weapon. Math and other sciencey type montages are kept relatively cinematic and definitely
exiting. The film's variety of quirky scientists and
astronauts help add levity and help break up the relentless struggle that Mark
Watney has to endure while marooned on Mars.
Despite
Mat Damon doing most of the heavy lifting after all he is playing the titular Martian
the supporting cast is sizable in both talent and numbers. Jeff Daniels,
Benedict Wong, Michael Pena, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Donald
Glover, Sebastian Stan, and Chiwetel Ejiofor all shine when they are on screen.
Despite limited screen time the supporting cast is able to create distinct interesting
characters.
The Martian (2015) is a unique film. It’s
a science-fiction film that both genre fans and non genre fans can appreciate
and enjoy. It’s a thrilling action adventure romp yet there is no violence. Ridley
Scott joins George Miller as a director who not only released one of the best
films of his career in 2015 but he did so after 7 plus decades on planet Earth.Get stranded at your local cineplex for an hour or two and enjoy The Martian (2015).
