Ridley Scott has done it again.
With “The Martian,” the director continues to show audiences how complex, engaging and awesome science fiction films can be.
Theaters around the world are in dire need of a film worth moviegoers’ hard-earned paychecks. It’s arguable there hasn’t been one since August’s “Straight Outta Compton.”
The cinematic doldrums of September and October are no longer with the release of “The Martian.”
Audiences seem to agree, as the film has skyrocketed to a $55 million opening weekend, one of the biggest ever in October, second only to “Gravity,” another space adventure.
Adapted from Andy Weir’s novel of the same name, “The Martian” centers around Mark Watney, played by Matt Damon, an astronaut accidentally left on Mars and believed to be dead. As NASA puts together a team to bring him home, Watney must find a way to survive alone on the Red Planet. Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara and Chiwetel Ejiofor also star.
Visually, “The Martian” is stunning. When watching a film like this, it’s impossible to overstate the breathtaking beauty of outer space.
Scott films are known for their great cinematography, but the vast landscapes of “The Martian” go above and beyond.
The cast isn’t too shabby either. Scott put together a terrific group, who excel in their roles. Damon, in particular, shines as Watney, with whom moviegoers enjoy the rollercoaster adventure.
Something about “The Martian” feels fresh and new, different from the average Mars movie narrative. Though Mars films are nothing new, in recent years none have been particularly groundbreaking or especially memorable.
In fact, prior to “The Martian,” it seems these films were shying away from the Mars theme. The 2012 film “John Carter” was originally titled “John Carter of Mars,” but was changed for fear that having Mars in the title would be box office poison. It turned out the movie itself was box office poison, with its studio losing money on the project.
“The Martian” makes no such mistakes, as it’s an epic tale of human ingenuity and surprisingly comedic.
At its core, “The Martian” is a survival film. Even with the backdrop of Mars, human endurance drives this story.
Of course there are critics and naysayers who claim the film to be scientifically inaccurate — and it may be — but much like in “Gravity,” which won seven Oscars including best director, and other space odysseys, entertainment can’t be sacrificed for accuracy.
Scientific accuracy be damned, “The Martian” is well worth seeing. Who watches sci-fi films for accuracy anyway?