When an accident happens during a storm on Mars, this man is left for dead. And he has to find a way to stay alive for a very long time.
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This film takes place in the not-so distant future when NASA starts sending astronauts on manned missions to Mars. There is still much to learn about the red planet—and that’s the goal of a mission called Ares 3. But in the midst of a dust storm, something bad happens and the mission has to be scrapped and the entire crew has to come back home. One crew mate was hit by some debris on the way to the shuttle and is believed to be dead. It is a terrible tragedy and everyone mourns his death especially his crew.
But because of a strange twist of fate, Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is still alive. He has to find a way to somehow survive until he can find a way to contact NASA and let them know he is stranded and needs to be rescued. A couple of months later he accomplishes this and Teddy Sanders (Jeff Daniels) is shocked and amazed that Watney is alive and well. A man named Mitch Henderson (Sean Bean) thinks it would be a good idea to inform Watney’s crew—who is still on their way back to earth—that he is not dead, but Teddy advises against this and therefore the crew has no idea that Watney is alive and stuck on Mars. It is not until a few months later when Watney finds a better way to contact NASA on earth that his crew is finally able to have a few conversations with him.
Throughout the film NASA has to decide what are they going to do to rescue Watney and for that matter should they even risk saving him at all. The film asks many tough questions that are not easy for people to answer and shows great examples of what true loyalty is like. Will Watney be stuck on Mars forever or will he get rescued? How long does he have to survive on this red planet? Or is something going to go wrong and will Mars be his final resting place?
Ridley Scott can be hit or miss as a director, and here he’s a hit. This is a really good movie. Even though it takes place in an unknown future it is humanity for the present day—and it does a great job of showing how humans react in tough moments and the risks people are willing to take to help out someone they care about. It is a message that everyone can understand and it is relatable to young and old alike. Even though the plot sounds simple there are actually many layers to it. When things are going good, they are great and when something goes wrong the film does a wonderful job of bringing these moments to a level that is genuine and believable. This writer really had a blast watching this movie and it is truly one of the best films he has ever seen by this director.
The cast is a perfect fit for this movie. No matter how big or small the role is everyone has an important part in the main attraction that could not go on without them. There are times people will meet someone and think they have no purpose or a little comedic relief but in reality they may be the person who moves the film along to its inevitable conclusion. The soundtrack is very well put together and has many songs from a bygone era that you would think seem out of place but they fit perfectly here. Often the songs add a specific element to a scene and sometimes can lighten a scene that may have had a real tragedy go on just moments ago.
This film gets 9/10. It is a really great science fiction movie that many viewers will have a blast seeing with their friends. The plot has many elements that weave a clever story here and it is not always clear what is going to happen next. It is a film people will want to see more than once and teens will learn some great things watching this movie.
If you are a fan of Matt Damon this is a film you must run out and see. If you like science fiction this is a movie you will not want to miss. This movie stands out from the crowd in so many ways and is an enjoyable ride the whole way through. See this film when it comes out today, you will be glad that you did.
Watch the action packed trailer below: