What if space travel had evolved to such an extent that man had landed on Mars and you had inadvertently been left on the red planet with next to no chance of survival? That is the premise at the heart of this action adventure science fiction film, directed by Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Black Hawk Down, Gladiator, Thelma & Louise) and starring Matt Damon and Jessica Chastain. Others in the cast include Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jeff Daniels, Sean Bean, Michael Pena, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara and Mackenzie Davis. The screenplay by Drew Goddard (Cloverfield, The Cabin in the Woods, World War Z) is based upon a novel by computer programmer-turned-writer Andy Weir.
During a mission to Mars, astronaut Mark Watney (Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm forces the crew to leave the planet in an almighty hurry. But against all odds, he has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on hostile ground. With only meager supplies, he has to draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal Earth that he is alive. But that is only half the problem. Any manned mission to Mars takes many months, if not years, to mount and by then time is likely to have run out for Damon.
Ridley Scott regards this as the ultimate survival story. As he puts it, Damon’s character “is placed under unimaginable duress and isolation and the movie is about how he responds.” In spite of his remarkable positivity at the outset, it becomes a question of whether or not he will eventually succumb to panic and despair and accept death or somehow find a way through.
The Martian is one compelling and exhausting movie, made all the more so because of a ripping script, expert direction and super acting. Importantly, it is Damon’s irreverence and good humour that helps him cope and endears him to us, the audience. In fact, comedic interludes play an important part in the otherwise dramatic proceedings, including on Earth, where frazzled NASA officials are desperate to find a way through the problem of how to mount a rescue mission. Because there is no precedent for what is unfolding and the chances of success are relatively slim there is a great deal of tension on the ground. Back in space, Chastain may not have a large role as mission commander, but she brings an immediate sense of gravitas to the part. Put simply, she has credibility. And what would any movie involving such imponderables be without surprises or setbacks and, of course, you have a series of those.
Naturally, the whole world is watching and then there are implications across another space agency, not just NASA. So, geopolitical rivals have to overcome their differences and work together if Damon is to have any chance of surviving. That adds another layer of complexity, even if it isn’t explored as fully as it could have been.
There are some of the best elements of Apollo 13 and Gravity about The Martian, which I thought was far better than Interstellar. Mind you, notwithstanding its strengths it was too long. The filmmakers could have condensed some of the scenes or cut out some of the twists.
Still, with a strong score and cinematography as other pluses, The Martian, rated M, scores an 8 to 8½ out of 10.
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jeff Daniels and Sean Bean
Release Date: 1 October 2015
Rating: M
Alex First
David Edwards is the editor of The Blurb and a contributor on film and television
