Tuesday, October 27, 2015

The Martian (2015) review




                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).
RECOMMEND
4 out of 5 castawayed Tom Hanks’  






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