As Ridley Scott’s latest box office smash hits cinemas, I can’t help but ponder the likelihood of one person surviving on the barren lands of Mars. In conclusion? It’s hard, but not impossible, especially for a quick-witted genius like Mark Watney, The Martian’s protagonist.
Stranded on Mars after a horrendous dust storm, astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is left with no choice but to, and I quote: “science the s*it” out of his predicament as NASA, his crew, and the whole world presume him dead. Unfortunately as luck would have it, he is fighting for survival 33.9 million miles away from Earth and any possible help.
Scott’s new science fiction flick combines an endless array of subtle humour, beautifully tear-jerking highs and lows, and cutting action that keeps us on the edge of our seats as Damon’s character fights against all odds on the planes of this hostile, red planet.
The Martian is stunningly directed, perfectly written and filled to the brims with a star-studded cast that came together on this rare occasion where the movie is as good as the impressive, 108 million dollar budget would imply. With a script this well written, and characters so fleshed out, it really doesn’t come as a surprise that biggies like, Jessica Chastain, Sean Bean, or Chiwetel Ejiofor shine on screen in their supporting roles.
And while no words of critique could be aimed towards any of the cast members, it is without doubt, Damon who carries the movie through those emotional, masterfully acted, one-man scenes, proving once and for all that he deserves his spot amongst Hollywood’s brightest stars.
The Martian hit the UK cinemas on 30th September 2015 and just might be that action-packed movie you were hoping for but never got with Scott’s previous sci-fi blockbuster, Prometheus.
