'The Martian' A Review

The Martian is a scifi film about a Mars expedition that leaves an astronaut, Mark Watney(Matt Damon), presumed dead on Mars. Through MacGyver-like scientific ingenuity Watney grows food, establishes contact with NASA, and settles in for an extended stay awaiting rescue. The film cuts between Watney on Mars, his ship returning to Earth, and NASA unfolding in series of mishaps combated by hard work and good old problem-solving.

The performances are almost unilaterally flat with Michael Peña being the sole exception. Damon holds much of the burden and aside from one vulnerable moment it seems he is completely unaffected by his extreme experience. His cavalier attitude and "wise-cracking" dialogue contribute to this sense of unreality. We get no sense of isolation or struggle beyond the inconvenient. The other actors recite their lines with minimal if not non-existent emotion, many of them seem to serve no purpose. The film focuses on science, diagnostics, and logistics but without even a slight sense of human stakes the whole thing feels a bit hollow.

Visually the film is striking, no surprise with director Ridley Scott, but because of the lack of emotional weight the imagery has little impact.

Intriguing scientific inventiveness, appealing spacescapes, an apathetic narrative.

Rent It.