My goodness… there is SO. MUCH. MOVIE. Going on in this movie. If anyone asks you what it means “to movie” just force them to sit down and watch Project Hail Mary.
I’m also going to be upfront, if you don’t see this in the biggest screen possible, I just don’t think it’ll hit the same. I think watching anything on your mobile device is the worst way to consume any form of media, so if that is how you choose to watch this movie and you tell me it’s mid, I will kindly punch you in the throat.
I’m currently reading the book and haven’t finished it, so I can’t speak to the accuracy of the adapted screenplay, but for what we got, the story is at its best when you have the 2 protagonists on screen. Honestly I don’t think the story is that fantastic but it’s still really good, you have seen these components before, but the money is with Ryland Grace and Rocky. They get you to care about this superficial story and they get you so invested and move you to tears, both happy and sad. This movie is not just a visual spectacle, you care about what happens to these characters and to this universe.
The screenplay is fantastic to me. Drew Goddard just has such a good grasp on Andy Weirs writing that he can make these complicated ass space math and terms that still sound complicated but is able to weave it in the narrative that the average movie goer can keep up with. I also think it’s funny that we classify movies like this as science fiction, when they try to be as scientifically accurate as possible. The story is fiction, but the science is not. I think it’s way more entertaining to conform to the limitations of actual science to create such an out of this world and stellar story. With stories like these, sometimes I feel like writers would care less about actual dialogue, but to my understandings, the liberties taken here are fantastic. Even some of the lines made for humor like when Ryland is testing out voices for Rocky or when he shouts “statement” to pontificate the situation, or even with the video diaries, none of it feels out of place or feels like filler. Every action and every word have purpose and direction and development.
The money maker here is the visuals. My. Goodness. I know it’s early in the year, but man it’s gunna take a lot for this movie to be toppled for best visual effects. Especially seeing how they were able to achieve this feat with some wire and water. Seeing this on the biggest screen possible is the only way to enjoy those scenes. I’ll definitely see it at home, just to compare, but I’d be hard pressed to see anything on a smaller scale coming close. I have a 65-inch screen and I think that is the bare minimum to enjoy movies like these. Also, the sound, regular tv speakers and run of the mill sound bar just won’t get it done. The sound design and soundtrack are unbelievable. Not just the sound, but the absence of sound because of the fact that there’s no sound in space, when it's utilize here, it’s so perfect. It may seem like a lot of homework to watch these movies that you need a good home theater set up, but you don’t eat raw steak, you have to do everything you need to do in order to ensure it’s that top tier medium rare, or however you like it. Just please don’t watch this on your phone…
I would also not bet against Phil Lord & Christopher Milles names be tossed in the hat for Best Director. It’s not that feeling of “man how did they film that?” to the highest degree, but Rocky alone should be able to propel their names in the upper echelon of directing for 2026. Yes, it’s the puppeteer but he’s conveying the messages that they’re trying to portray. Also, all the awards to puppeteer James Ortiz as well. If we are in the market for a Team America World Police sequel… I think he could be the highest paid puppeteer of all time.
This movie is marvelous, and I hope that however this movie finds you, that you enjoy it to its fullest extent.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
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