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First Reviews for The Martian (dir. Ridley Scott; based on the book; Matt Damon)
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Cosmo Clock 21
Banned
Haven't read the book, but does anybody else think the movie seemed like it was trying to establish a subplot with
the NASA director being a minor villain? Between the botched resupply attempt (which he said he would take full responsibility for, and didn't) and the Rich Purnell maneuver (which he blocked, then asked the other guy to resign) he was the source of a lot of conflict in the film.
Pagusas
Elden Member
Saw it this weekend, really liked it, only part my wife and I didn't like was the ending. It felt like just a sudden stop to the film. I was hoping the book would have a better ending where we get to see more of his interactions once he gets
, but from what I'm seeing here people say the book is more abrupt then the movie??
onboard the spaceship
I wouldn't say he was a villain per-se, but I would say he was more focused on the reality that the public is skeptical of NASA's necessity and was more concerned with NASA's long term existence than Mark's life. It seemed, at least to me, that he understood that saving Mark would give them a huge boost in popularity and funding, but was ultimately skeptical of their actual ability to do so. And knew that the general public would take it as "if NASA can't save one dude in space then what's the point?" Someone's gotta keep the lights on, you know?
Haven't read the book either, for what it's worth.
OriginofHysteria
Banned
He's also the director of NASA. A lot of responsibility falls on his shoulders and he tried to play it safe the whole movie. The botched resupply mission was because he tried to get food to him as quick as possible. I could understand the decisions he made based on his position.
ryutaro's mama
Member
Saw it on Friday. Ridley Scott has his space mojo back.
The Martian ARES suits were so amazingly designed. I loved them so much.
The Martian ARES suits were so amazingly designed. I loved them so much.
Liquidsnake
Banned
Mathew Modine was in my theater last night
Had not read the book but the trailers had me really hyped. Saw it last night and loved it .I got the feeling that a few events were shortened for example you could see storms in the background but they never approached the rover or the rover getting stuck but the movie still felt great. Also this was one of the few movies which I would say is better in 3d.The 3d effects were well done and the landscape looked beautiful.
layzie1989
Member
I need to know whether astronauts ever make moves like jumping from one thing to another in space without being tied down. It seems like the craziest thing you could ever do.
Someone take this hothead outta here
Liquidsnake
Banned
Exactly
Byakuya769
Member
Thought it was alright, but it didn't really capture Watney's initial loneliness and desperation.
And seeing it on screen wasn't as unnerving as I expected. But that may have more tondo with the fact that a black void of space in Gravity will feel far more alien than Mars which can look deceptively familiar at times.
And seeing it on screen wasn't as unnerving as I expected. But that may have more tondo with the fact that a black void of space in Gravity will feel far more alien than Mars which can look deceptively familiar at times.
Of course they never do that.
Film had to had some artistic freedom.
That entgire Ironman flying scene was hilariously insane. No one could control their flying like that.
sixteen-bit
Member
Gambino to the rescue.
Chiggs
Gold Member
This felt like another Ridley Scott rush job. Granted, he's getting up there in years so he's definitely to be commended for being such an efficient director. Still, there didn't seem to be anything that really stood out in this film, other than Damon who came across as likable.
Solid C+ for me.
Solid C+ for me.
Just got back from this. Overall I thought it was great. Though I will say that I still like Interstellar and Gravity better.
I loved the sense of survival. Seeing Matt Damon's character figure out problem after problem in order to live another day gave me feel good feelings back to back. I'm use to these space type movies to always have me on the edge of my seat, but this was different. In a good way. The constant comic relief and sense of accomplishment was a welcomed change of tone that I got from Interstellar and Gravity. Nice film. 10/10 will Blu Ray.
I loved the sense of survival. Seeing Matt Damon's character figure out problem after problem in order to live another day gave me feel good feelings back to back. I'm use to these space type movies to always have me on the edge of my seat, but this was different. In a good way. The constant comic relief and sense of accomplishment was a welcomed change of tone that I got from Interstellar and Gravity. Nice film. 10/10 will Blu Ray.
Was chatting with my gf about this as we left the theater. By the time I was nearing the end of the book I was getting tired of EVERYTHING going wrong. It was getting kind of tiresome and borderline silly. I can see why they ommited things. Still, I enjoyed both the book and the movie!
The Technomancer
card-carrying scientician
This has been a damn good year for movies so far. Ex Machina, Mad Max and now this are three of my favorite movies I've seen in ages
ViewtifulJC
Banned
Can't imagine the cold, black, Femmeworth-esque heart of the person who actively disliked The Martian. Its so goddamn humanistic you want to hug the stranger sitting next to you. Its not even as rah rah USA as I feared, since it (major spoilers)required cooperation with China, and Watney's rescue was celebrated across the world. This is a tribute to human ingenuity and our capacity to overcome impossible challenges with a little luck and a lot of hard work. Damon holds the center, proving his Hollywood leading man bonafides in case anyone forgot. The other characters are thin, but you couldn't ask for a finer cast of actors to fill them out. Michael Pena, Jessica Chastain, AND Chiwetel Ejifor are in this movie, b. I even like the Donald Glover character; you seen him before, that weird nerd in the weird clothes who sees something the suits don't and comes up with a plan to save the day.
Drew Goddard, a Whedon acolyte, appropriately nails that crowdpleasing mix of pathos and punchlines. Just when the tone gets to light, something fucks up and your heart sinks a bit. There's plenty of science to explain to the audience, but its often accomplished by the film actually showing Watney doing it as well. There are a few charming montages set to 70s disco hits, extra points for using Bowie but resisting the temptation of "Life on Mars". It even has that thing I love that I always give extra credit for; the montage with the actors with their names next to them. You know, like the credits to Predator? Love that shit.
The climax, even though in your head the result isn't in question, is really tense spectacle. Ridley Scott and his collaborators have such an assured vision for translating this story to us. My particular favorite bit besides the end was near the beginning, with the storm that separated Mark from the crew. Its a dark storm of black debris, which could have been very confusing with the crew turning back and forth for Mark. But the ship they have to go back for is tall, with a lighthouse beacon, and Ridley's compositions uses that. When we see it in the background, we know where the characters are in relation to it, and when we don't see it we know we're facing the other way. Seems obvious when I explain it here, but its such an effective shorthand for keeping the audience engaged in a scene that's very chaotic to the characters.
Just one of the movie's where everybody involved did a damn fine job, which couldn't be more appropriate for the movie's theme of cooperation.
Drew Goddard, a Whedon acolyte, appropriately nails that crowdpleasing mix of pathos and punchlines. Just when the tone gets to light, something fucks up and your heart sinks a bit. There's plenty of science to explain to the audience, but its often accomplished by the film actually showing Watney doing it as well. There are a few charming montages set to 70s disco hits, extra points for using Bowie but resisting the temptation of "Life on Mars". It even has that thing I love that I always give extra credit for; the montage with the actors with their names next to them. You know, like the credits to Predator? Love that shit.
The climax, even though in your head the result isn't in question, is really tense spectacle. Ridley Scott and his collaborators have such an assured vision for translating this story to us. My particular favorite bit besides the end was near the beginning, with the storm that separated Mark from the crew. Its a dark storm of black debris, which could have been very confusing with the crew turning back and forth for Mark. But the ship they have to go back for is tall, with a lighthouse beacon, and Ridley's compositions uses that. When we see it in the background, we know where the characters are in relation to it, and when we don't see it we know we're facing the other way. Seems obvious when I explain it here, but its such an effective shorthand for keeping the audience engaged in a scene that's very chaotic to the characters.
Just one of the movie's where everybody involved did a damn fine job, which couldn't be more appropriate for the movie's theme of cooperation.
User 73706
Banned
film, how does it work
ViewtifulJC
Banned
I keep thinking back to Kate Mara, luckily escaping 2015 with an actually good sci-fi blockbuster under her belt. Fantastic Four and The Martian are a good double feature waiting to happen. You can see how the big budget studio picture can completely fall apart from creative setbacks and differences, and how one can soar when everybody is on the same page working towards a common goal.
Technosteve
Banned
he's making bladerunner 2 electric sheepaloo...
Lots of fun. I wish I hadn't seen it in 3D; it ended up giving a headache despite the minor benefits of cool effects. Damon holds it together fantastically, and the cinematography is gorgeous. I also really liked Ejiofor in this; a very good actor ground the story at home. Only weak link in the cast was Donald Glover, but his character in general was a weak part. Quite funny at points, but also with bits of poignant acting (mostly from Damon), I'm happy I saw it.
More movies should do what this did in the end credits. The epilogue with the names appearing next to the actors as they appeared was actually a highlight for me, and I'm being positive on the film.
Give Ridley Scott a solid script and he'll direct the shit out of it.
This is his best movie since Kingdom of Heaven, which doesn't say much, but still, it is. It's a very straight forward adaptation of the book, the changes are minimal. For however many years Scott has left as a director, this is what he should do: leave the creative writing to other people, preferably base your film on a well-written but simple or easy to adapt book.
I watched it in 3D, 3D was all right. I've become seriously indifferent to this format.
MATT DAMON did good.
This is his best movie since Kingdom of Heaven, which doesn't say much, but still, it is. It's a very straight forward adaptation of the book, the changes are minimal. For however many years Scott has left as a director, this is what he should do: leave the creative writing to other people, preferably base your film on a well-written but simple or easy to adapt book.
I watched it in 3D, 3D was all right. I've become seriously indifferent to this format.
MATT DAMON did good.
Discotheque
Banned
that director and cast...all my scust. I might watch it on demand if it's good.
ViewtifulJC
Banned
I think about all the usually annoying things this type of movie doesn't have. The penny-pinching guy in a suit who thinks in terms of money instead of empathy(think Paul Reiser's Burke from Aliens). The crew member who hates Mark Watney/argues to not go along with the mission/a general pain in the ass who's only goal in the story is to be asshole(like that one human in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes). There are still problems and setbacks, disagreements and disappointments for the drama...but there's a refreshing bout of generosity in everybody to save a life. Jeff Daniels character is really a minor source of conflict than an antagonist, with understandable motivations as the CEO who has to mindful of everything. I feared when China got involved, it was gonna be "oh God now we gotta work with China, their our competitors, they're too different from us, ugh conflict" but no. They have that language barrier and Sean Bean growls a bit about how they operate, but there's no ego, no national pride. There was a problem, they had the technology, and everyone came together to solve it.
Mengy
wishes it were bannable to say mean things about Marvel
Yep. Despite all of the disasters and hardships, the movie keeps a mood of positivity throughout that felt refreshing to me. That combined with the periodic disco soundtrack, The Martian gave me a similar fun and uplifting feeling just like Guardians of the Galaxy did. But those moments were mixed with wide open shots expressing loneliness and isolation too, similar to Cast Away and Moon, two other movies which I love.
Razorback
Member
Damn, everyone seems to really like it. Makes me feel a bit disconnected in this case.
It did nothing for me. I'm a huge mars fan, Red Mars is my favorite book. I tried reading The Martian but gave up about 20% in. I wasn't clicking with the tone. The type of humor wasn't for me.
I guess the movie is a faithful adaptation. It's exactly the same in tone. Nothing seems important or serious. There aren't any exciting set pieces like in Gravity, no tension.
It's not terrible like Red Planet or Mission to Mars, it's competent and relaxed. No big ambition to be more than that.
It did nothing for me. I'm a huge mars fan, Red Mars is my favorite book. I tried reading The Martian but gave up about 20% in. I wasn't clicking with the tone. The type of humor wasn't for me.
I guess the movie is a faithful adaptation. It's exactly the same in tone. Nothing seems important or serious. There aren't any exciting set pieces like in Gravity, no tension.
It's not terrible like Red Planet or Mission to Mars, it's competent and relaxed. No big ambition to be more than that.
I actually enjoyed this more than Interstellar or Gravity.
Yeah, I loved the suits design.
Yeah, I loved the suits design.
Mengy
wishes it were bannable to say mean things about Marvel
Man, I thought the set pieces were fantastic. The Mars base, the rover, the landers, the Hermes, I loved the sets in the film and wanted to walk around and explore them more.
Warm Machine
Member
He isn't. The Sicario director is.
Razorback
Member
Sorry, I meant set pieces in this sense:
"a passage or section of a novel, play, film, or piece of music that is arranged in an elaborate or conventional pattern for maximum effect."
The action scenes basically.
Not the actual set designs.
WyndhamPrice
Member
It clips along quite nicely and has plenty of fun explaining of how and why the characters are doing what they're doing at any given time.
Funny, because I think the lighthearted tone makes me able to take it much, much more seriously than something like Gravity. If the main character hadn't been the type personality to crack jokes in his diaries when struck by failure, he probably would have committed suicide. It also made it even more heartbreaking when cracks formed in his indefatigable attitude. Also, "setpieces" don't actually occur in real life, accidents like the HAB exploding and killing Watney's plants happen. I was more shocked and dismayed by that few second long flash of disaster than any ballet of debris in Gravity.
Great movie. Wish there was some more time alone with Matt Damon cause the first 1/3 of the film was a bit too much
Overall, a much tighter film than Interstellar in my opinion when it comes to "epic space movie", and more memorable than Gravity. Once Gravity ended I didn't care about any of the characters anymore since it seemed more allegorical than character driven yet I still empathize and really like the entire cast of The Martian. Kinda makes me wanna read the book to spend some more time with them.
"I can figure this out!" and too little "man I'm alone on Mars I'm gonna look around and contemplate on some the situation"
Overall, a much tighter film than Interstellar in my opinion when it comes to "epic space movie", and more memorable than Gravity. Once Gravity ended I didn't care about any of the characters anymore since it seemed more allegorical than character driven yet I still empathize and really like the entire cast of The Martian. Kinda makes me wanna read the book to spend some more time with them.
Razorback
Member
That just sounds counterintuitive to me.
Are you defending realism? Because, dust storms on Mars are actually really weak and would be no problem at all. Also, that ridiculous "Iron Man" scene wasn't a set piece?
Insane Metal
Member
I'll probably see it again this week. And I don't do that often.
I kinda get what he means. The lighter tone allowed me to treat it as more of a relatable human story than a film that's just trying to be a straight drama without much varying emotion or personality.
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