So far this year we’ve been treated to one of the best science fiction movies ever in the form of Ex Machina, a thought provoking movie that explores identity and the human condition. Superbly acted, brilliantly paced and with enough twists and turns to leave even the hardest roller-coaster veteran green to the stomach. I think only one of those elements is really going to feature in the upcoming Ridley Scott adaptation of Mark Watney’s The Martian though.
I have no problem with Matt Damon as the lead, I actually think he’s a damn fine actor, I’m just worried that this is going to turn into a Baysplosion, Armageddon-type movie that focuses on huge spectacle rather than the isolation felt by Damon’s character. I love the premise though and will most definitely drag my older and more cynical brother along with me just so he can spend the entire movie comparing it to Alfonso Cuaron’s Gravity.
With only a few weeks from release there is a new TV spot that looks pretty cool, but then again with All Along the Watchtower playing in the background even a short clip of Trevor trying to paint by numbers would seem descent(ish). Here’s the synopsis followed by the short, but cool, TV spot:
When astronauts blast off from the planet Mars, they leave behind Mark Watney (Matt Damon), presumed dead after a fierce storm. With only a meager amount of supplies, the stranded visitor must utilize his wits and spirit to find a way to survive on the hostile planet. Meanwhile, back on Earth, members of NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring him home, while his crew mates hatch their own plan for a daring rescue mission.
I love the idea of some poor chap stranded on Mars and having ground control order his only hope of survival to leave him, it’s the sort of call I would make but that’s because I hate most people. With just a few big movies expected for the remainder of the year though I think this will do very well at the box office.
Also, MATT DAMON!
Last Updated: August 25, 2015
