Movie of the Week: The Martian

[jacey]

For various reasons we missed a few weeks of regular cinemagoing, so were delighted to be able to see The Martian last Wednesday. I'd heard good things about it and - thenkfully - they were all true. Great plot tension, absorbing problem solving and an engrossing storyline on Mars and the parallel story on Earth with the NASA crew.

And (bonus) Sean Bean didn't die!

By now most people know the basic theme. Astronaut is left for dead on Mars when the crew has to abandon the base due to a storm that's threatening to destroy their ride back home, but astronaut (Matt Damon) survives and then has the problem of keeping himself alive until a) more supplies can be delivered or b) a rescue team arrives.

I am informed by my friends who know more about the science than I do that the science in this is plausible, which is gratifying, but also the storytelling is excellent. It's a man-against-the-environment story told with an interesting 'voice'. While Matt Damon's character is sciencing the shit out of his situation, the NASA crew are working out ways to bring him home. Disagreements surface and are dealt with - one way or another - which leads to a dramatic rescue attempt thanks to the cooperation of the Chinese.

Matt Damon is an effective lead. The Martian landscapes are beautifully realised. Visually satisfying.

Highly recommended.