Matt Damon is Brilliant in "The Martian"; Ridely Scott Delivers Once Again

 
    Ridley Scott's latest sci-fi epic "The Martian" is one heck of a ride. Most people, while swimming in a lake of naivety, have dubbed this film Interstellar 2, which both undermines the greatness of Interstellar as well as this drastically different film. Others claim it's merely Cast Away on Mars, which is, in essence, a better comparison. However, The Martian is much more than any comparison one might make. It stands alone as an individual in the sci-fi world, and though it may not be the best sci-fi ever, it's still utterly amazing.

   During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm hits their base half way through their mission, and is left behind by his crew. Unbeknownst to his crew, NASA and the world, Watney actually survives the storm and finds himself stranded, alone on the hostile planet. With very little supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring "the Martian" home, while his crew mates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney's safe return. Based on a best-selling novel, this story is one of the best examples of the power of the human spirit and the amazing will that we have as a species to survive.

 
     Matt Damon deserves as much credit as he can possibly get, because he gives one of the best performances of his career in this picture. The psychological weight one carries while in isolation is enough to drive anyone mad. Throw in an alien planet, limited resources and death looming at your door every waking moment, and it's a wonder Watney didn't just give up, which is really the whole point. The film really succeeds at selling the story with some insanely believable science and it's hard not to think while watching that you're seeing something that might actually have happened. There's plenty of humor in the movie to break up the drama and the many monologues Wantey makes while recounting his actions to a daily vlog are both informative, entertaining, emotional, and hilarious. Damon's shining performance really connects the themes and emotions throughout the film brilliantly, and I wouldn't be surprised if there's some Oscar buzz to come as a result.

 
    Damon aside, the film shines in other areas as well. The supporting cast, though seen mainly in dialogue and exposition still delivers great performances so as to not leave Damon stranded (pun whole-heartily intended). Given that there are so many and each are great in their own right, I can't help but see them more as an ensemble in contrast to Damon's singularity. Ridley Scott knows how to portray compelling characters on epic, emotional canvases. He also knows how to make a beautiful film. There have been many movies set on the red planet, none of which come close to the believability of this film. Mars never felt more real than it did through the course of this story. Every frame is crafted masterfully and I found myself constantly exploring the screen each time we returned to the planet.

   The Martian is a brilliant sci-fi that will make you laugh, make you cry, make you tense, and it will entertain the heck out of you. It's got fantastic acting, really cool effects, brilliant cinematography, and a story that will ignite that sense of human initiative and remind us how freakin' cool it is to be human. I highly recommend this film, with multiple viewings if able. The movie is meant to be seen on the big screen, don't wait for a home viewing. You won't be disappointed.