The Martian

13 May 2019

The Martian 2015

• Director: Ridley Scott
• Based on the novel by Andy Weir
• Cast: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Sean Bean, Kate Mara, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mackenzie Davis, Donald Glover
• Personal “oh yeah him/her” reaction, i.e. have seen this actor in:
• Matt Damon – Interstellar, The Zero Theorem, Elysium, Contagion, True Grit, Invictus, The Informant, The Brothers Grimm, Jersey Girl, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, The Bourne Identity, Dogma, Good Will Hunting
• Jessica Chastain – Huntsman Winter’s War, Interstellar, The Help, The Tree of Life, Coriolanus, Take Shelter, Veronica Mars
• Kristen Wiig – Flight of the Conchords
• Jeff Daniels – Looper, Good Night and Good Luck, The Squid and the Whale, The Hours, Pleasantville, Speed
• Sean Bean – Jupiter Ascending, North Country, The Island, Lord of the Rings etc, Golden Eye, Stormy Monday
• Kata Mara – Fantastic Four, Transcendence, 127 Hours, Stone of Destiny, Brokeback Mountain
• Chiwetel Ejiofor – Dancing on the Edge, 2012, Children of Men, Kinky Boots, Serenity, Love Actually, Dirty Pretty Things
• Mackenzie Davis – Blade Runner 2049, What If
• Why? Hal liked the book, which I haven’t read yet.
• Seen: 11 May 2019       

       A sudden storm on Mars forces the whole crew to abandon the mission. Mark Watney (Damon) is believed to be killed and so is left behind.

       This is the story of his survival, alone on Mars. He has enough in the mission station to keep him alive about a month. Says Mark: ‘Luckily I’m a botanist.’ He starts to grow food.

       Flash to Earth and the political disputes about whether or not to send another mission. Especially when they learn that he’s alive.

       It’s not a profound film and it’s a bit long but it is entertaining. The technology is interesting and the characters likeable. And they play ABBA! I’m not really sure that ‘Waterloo’ is appropriate but… cool. Gloria Gaynor’s ‘I Will Survive’ is more obvious.      

4* of 5