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The Martian (2015): Welcome Back, Ridley Scott

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Scene above is from Ridley Scott's The Martian.

Contains some SPOILERS (none major). 

I’ve been an aficionado of English director and producer Ridley Scott since I saw Alien (1979). Other works by him I enjoy are Thelma and Louise (1991), Gladiator (2001), and American Gangster (2007). Oddly, I’ve never viewed all of his famous Blade Runner (1982) to this day…I should amend that soon. Conversely, I despised Scott’s Robin Hood (2010), and the prequel to Alien known as Prometheus (2012). Although that movie’s suckiness could be attributed to screenwriter Damon Lindelof honestly. Didn’t see nor have an inkling of an interest in The Counselor (2013). The usage of whitewashing an entire race in Exodus: Gods and Kings (2014) and along with his reason “why” didn’t help his case either. Neither did erasing Asian American roles in The Martian (2015).

You can read more about these thoughts here:thechurchillreview.tumblr.com/…

To summarize, recognizing Ridley Scott’s name attached to projects used to make me excited. Post-American Gangster (2007), he’s been in a bit of a downward spiral. My criticism isn’t out of spite, it is out of bafflement and sadness. Not to be mean, but I wonder if the tragic death of his brother Tony Scott (Top Gun, Crimson Tide, Unstoppable) has on some level played a part? I’ve personally known those forever devastated by similar circumstances. If so, that’s very understandable.

To start off, The Martian is an adaptation of the debut 2011 novel by Andy Weir which screenwriter Drew Goddard (Cloverfield, Marvel’s Daredevil Netflix series) penned. Matt Damon stars as our protagonist astronaut/botanist Mark Watney: a character left for dead when a fierce storm forces Commander/geologist Melissa Lewis along with the rest of the crew to abandon the planet Mars. The Martian is a tale of one man’s resilience told mostly through Mark and Goddard borrowing from Iron Man’s Tony Stark brief narration and recording to computer screen sequences: these scenes fluctuate between being witty, dramatic, and informational while revealing the true mental state of Watney as well. When actor Matt Damon isn’t the subject of controversy (Project Greenlight season four premiere, comments about diversity), I had forgotten that he can gift the world with a transfixing performance. He’s able to convey sincere gravitas while joking as his sanity wavers when faced with obstacles impeding his chances of survival.

Frankly, this is the best he’s done.

In his Hollywood career.

That alone is already worth the ticket price.

However, this on the surface lackadaisical approach is intelligently punctured by shifting from Mark to other characters such as NASA director Theodore “Teddy” Sanders, NASA’S Mars mission director Vincent Kapoor, NASA astronomer Rich Purnell, and members of the Ares III mission crew. Out of the supporting cast, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Donald Glover, Jessica Chastian, Kristen Wiig, and Bruce Ng deserve additional applause. There’s a part in the film where a clear reference to Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings is made that causes Kristen Wiig’s character (Annie Montrose, NASA spokesperson) to say back in response, “I hate all of you.” There’s also a recurring gag in The Martian that the kind of music Watney only has access to is disco music (which he hates, serves as the flick’s soundtrack) and that they belong to Commander Melissa Lewis: The Donna Summer song “Hot Stuff is the least disco” thing she owns Mark tells us. Besides those I just mentioned, the remainder of the supporting cast is kind of meh overall. Allow me to explain. Besides providing their function in The Martian’s yarn with good performances from those involved, these characters seemingly have nada else to offer audiences. They come off as a type of character versus being, well, real or believable, with their own defining unique characteristics. I think this is a bit unfortunate.

On the other hand, it was cool to have and show characters in their respective fields being smart. Such predominantly respectful representation and presentation is hardly present in mainstream media. Cough, The Big Bang Theory.

thechurchillreview.tumblr.com/…

Even if I didn’t fully comprehend everything that was being spoken. Through science-y jargon. I probably got the gist of it though.

Additionally, unlike how the red planet has been a location purely for horror or action, The Martian is the first actual I’m guessing scientifically accurate motion picture focused on Mars. Wadi Rum in Jordan that was utilized in Mission to Mars (2000), Red Planet (2000), and The Last Days on Mars (2013) once again contributes as the planet’s practical backdrop for The Martian. The vast emptiness of Mars grandly juxtaposes with how Earth scenes were filmed: there’s never one person in a room at anytime, this discernibly supplements Watney’s marooned on Mars plight even more. The shots of the Ares III crew aboard the Hermes spacecraft frame them together too.

In conclusion, I liked Ridley Scott’s The Martian. It reinforces my adoration for him as a prominent filmmaker and storyteller in the industry. The narrative’s construction by Drew Goddard is tight and effective (despite Watney not possessing a character arc of sorts and the majority of the cast being character types instead of individuals). I thought the visuals were extraordinary, especially towards the end. Showcasing a love for space and NASA, The Martian is an EXPERIENCE no one should miss. This is an in theatres must-see. It’ll likely end up in the running for several Academy Awards, including but not limited to Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Score (composed by Harry Gregson-Williams known for his work on the Metal Gear Solid video game series and an aspect of the franchise I’ve always acclaimed). Although, I don’t believe I’d personally re-watch The Martian, it is more of a one-time deal kind of movie. 

P.S. Don’t you dare ever underestimate the power of duct tape.

Upcoming 

-Tribute to Wes Craven Part 2: Scream franchise

-SU’s Peridot 

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