Success Project
I had absolutely no expectations going into at this movie and all I knew was that it was written by the same guy (Andy Weir) who wrote The Martian and which became a film back in 2016. Very few movies these days really go for big budget action blockbuster without being attached to an already established IP. Project Hail Mary Is one of the rare films that attempts in this format and does great success with it. It is an engaging story of heart, humor, friendship, and the bonds that make us human. The impressive visuals dominate the big screen and begs to be seen in the IMAX format immediately. While there have been many space movies that have come out and stories about going into space to save humanity, this is the one for the new generation that will be remembered for y decades to come like Interstellar and Arrival before it
Science teacher Ryland Grace wakes up on a spaceship with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory slowly returns, he soon discovers he must solve the riddle behind a mysterious substance that’s causing the sun to die out. As details of the mission unravel, he calls on his scientific training and sheer ingenuity — but he may not have to do it alone.
Ryan Gosling is the leading manage performance in this film and he dominates the scream with combined charisma, intellect, and a compassionate heart. The journey that he goes on is one both of self discovery and purpose. As a middle school science teacher his life has not amounted much to anything despite his impressive background in having a doctorate microbiology. He plays a geeky yet infectiously optimistic scientist in the face of sheer loneliness and desperation for humanity survival. It is very easy for a story like this to become morose and self-existential yet Gosling’s performance keeps the energy alive and a smile across the audience member’s face throughout the entire run time.
The marketing has been clear that Ryan Gosling’s character does encounter an alien during his journey to save the world. However the tone, characterization, and relationship they share was of a genuine surprise to me and is certainly the heart and soul of this film. The alien, who they accurately name “Rocky”, is the Yang to Gosling Yin. This movie would not be nearly as good without their relationship and camaraderie together. I will save details about how the relationship forms and how it grows and is tested throughout the film as all of these are a part of the fun experience of the film, nevertheless know that you are in for a emotional ride. This is certainly one of the most iconic duos I have seen on the screen in years. Each of them has something the other has been longing for and seeing that complementarian relationship brings such a warm smile to the face.
The narrative does feature a nonlinear format in which we do start with our character being in space and looking back to his time on earth and what led up to the mission. This form of storytelling is effective on screen However I do feel that in reading a book with this format probably was more effective. Sometimes going in between the different narratives can feel a little jarring especially when the story in space is getting really ramped up and the story back on earth feels like momentum slows a little bit. Granted the story on earth does offer strong insights into the human psyche and just how far will someone go to ensure the survival of the human race. It does serve a purpose by the end, but my investment with Ryland and Rocky was so strong I felt sad going away from it.
The visuals are some of the most impressive effects I have seen, and it was such a true joy to see this film in glorious 70 mm IMAX. While films like Interstellar are lauded for their realistic and grand depiction of outer space, Project Hail Mary gets more brownie points in just how creative the effects are. The movie is certainly grounded in realism, but in going to other words there is a sense of wonder of awe with the amount of color and contrast in the stars and planets. You truly feel as if they are traveling to a galaxy far away from Earth as the stars true from white to red and planets give off a green gas inviting you to a space dream. These visuals are jaw dropping and I demand that anyone who goes and see this film do so in IMAX for the best experience. You are only short changing your own satisfaction of the movie.
A space movie also needs to have a great score to complement an interstellar travel, and boy does Daniel Pemberton deliver. The score evokes an inventive and organic feeling of space exploration filled with the awe and wonderment that beholds someone looking upon the stars and pondering their place among them. It reaches the wonderful heights of Han’s Zimmer in its beauty, discovery, and in some excellent standout sequences tension boiling in my blood.
Movies like Project Hail Mary are a once in a lifetime theater experience. Nobody tries to make grand and expensive movies that are not already built on an established property, yet this movie breaks all of these trends and sets a wonderful odyssey into space filled to the brim with a story of friendship, survival, and scientific breakthrough. The use of 70 mm IMAX proves that the theater experience is not dead. This is the film to prove it. You cannot watch this movie at home when it comes on streaming. Doing so is a disservice to you and to the movie. This is it. This is the Dune, this is the Interstellar, this is the movie to run to theater to. Why are you still sitting here reading this?? Go!!! Order your tickets for Project Hail Mary immediately!!!!
(A) AMAZE AMAZE AMAZE
Raj Reviews 