Review: ‘The Martian’ mixes science, humor and action in winning combination

Posted on October 9, 2015

By MARK VIOLA

“Help is only 140 millions miles away.”

Is that not just one of the best movie catch lines ever? I listened to the audiobook version of author Andy Weir’s best-selling novel “The Martian” last year. Still riding a space high following my obsession with “Gravity,” the idea of an astronaut trapped on Mars after a mission goes wrong was simply fascinating. I’ve always been a NASA nut, and the book was a really fun listen, mixing highbrow science, a compelling main character and a surprising amount of humor.

Now we have the film version of “The Martian,” directed by Ridley Scott (“Exodus: Gods and Kings,” “Gladiator”) and starring Matt Damon (“The Bourne Identity”) as the ill-fated Mark Watney. Looking at the movie as a fan of both the book and good films, I can say “The Martian” is a grand old time and one of the most fun movies of the fall so far.

Although Scott has proven he can handle space movies, he’s been on a bit of a skid over the past few years, but he is back in top form here. Thanks to his direction, a smart script and a great lead performance from Damon, “The Martian” retains the humor and humanity of the book, while still delivering the tension and emotion that a story like this deserves.

Sure, the film could have been a bit deeper, delving into the effects of long term isolation on Watney as well as the financial and scientific costs incurred with trying to rescue one man, but in the end, this is a fun adventure and that’s all it really needs to be.

And on that score, “The Martian” blasts right off into orbit. Or as a friend of mine watching the movie with me (who hasn’t read the book, by the way), said, “I was expecting a good movie. I wasn’t expecting a great one.” In case you’re confused, he was saying this was a great one. And I agree.

The film is rated PG-13 for some strong language, injury images and brief nudity.

(This is a shortened version of the full review available in our printed or e-edition papers.)

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