I thoroughly enjoyed The Martian. A great "hard" science fiction movie with an extremely light touch. Also the first funny Ridley Scott movie? I am a big fan of Scott- Alien, Blade Runner, and Gladiator are among my favorite movies - but his movies tend to the epic length, and solemn tone. I would never have guessed he helmed this breezy, brisk, and fun movie.This XKCD comic made the observation that The Martian is the "fix the air filter" puzzle from Apollo 13 expanded into a whole movie, and that's true, but what's also true is that Ridley Scott has managed to make a easy breezy movie that makes Apollo 13 look like a grim, terrifying Holocaust film by comparison.
Matt Damon deserves at least equal credit for setting the tone of the film- he is alone for 99% of the film, so Damon the actor is the key to the tone of the film. His video diary entries charmed the whole audience. (The trailers imply he talks to NASA via video-conference call, but that never happens.)
My Stub Hubby Grade: A!
(Landmark Embassy Cinemas Waltham, with Adam, George, and Jon Moran)
Stub Hubby Reviews Ridley Scott
- Prometheus (2012)
- Hannibal (2001)
- Gladiator (2000)
- Blade Runner: The Final Cut (2007)
- Alien: The Director's Cut (2003)