Let's go on a space exploration, get lost and try to come back home. Sounds like a simple or crazy idea, right?!? Actually it's not. Space is a very big place and not that hard to get lost or in this situation left behind. While growing up I never found myself being that interested in space exploration films besides Star Wars. Now I am drawn more to space films such as Gravity, Interstellar, Moon, etc. Films that are based on space exploration that could be real life situations. While watching the film The Martian, it felt as though these were real life events that took place. With previous films that had low track records such as Robin Hood, Prometheus and Exodus, Ridley Scott is back to true form with directing this film. Ridley Scott manages to make the audience feel as though these are real life situations. I believe a director's main job is to make sure to get the best performance out of the actors in front of you. He achieves this goal with so much strength. Matt Damon's performance is so Oscar worthy. And not just him but everyone from Jeff Daniels, Jessica Chastain, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Kristen Wiig make this film a cohesive unit and a film to be remembered. I was so enthralled with this film that it's hard for me to describe it without spoiling it. A lot of people watching the trailers for this film will probably instantly think this is just like Interstellar. Well it isn't. The only relationship that they share is that it takes place in space and it has Matt Damon. The first film I thought of when I was watching the trailer for this film was Cast Away. I loved Cast Away!! The has a completely different reaction because it gives the audience a connection to what is happening on Earth as well as what's happening on Mars. It's like Cast Away meets Apollo 13. The film manages to give you a problem to solve at every single corner you turn and the equation to solve that problem will astound you. I remember telling my wife during the film "He's so smart". Is he so smart or am I just that stupid? Either way I learned something. SCIENCE! Whether the film has some flaws of unscientific facts or not the general audience will never know. It's a roller coaster ride of emotions from laughter (unexpected) to tears of joy and sadness. Everything from the cinematography to the editing to the acting is phenomenal. I didn't give this film 5 stars because it was perfect. No film is perfect but I did give it 5 stars because of how much fun I had while watching it. From the sound design to the acting is so inspirational as a film buff. It is a film that could inspire more young scientists to explore space even if it is a tale about a man who is left on a planet far far away. I think with our recent discovery of water on Mars this is a perfectly timed film. Don't look at trailers, don't read reviews that have spoilers! Just go see it!! A MUST SEE!!!
So should you point your telescope to the sky at night and see if there is a rover driving around on Mars??? Uh yeah!!
5 Stars!!
