Astronaut Mark Watney has a problem. He is alone on Mars. His shipmates reasonably assumed he was a victim of a dust storm on the red planet and headed back to Earth without him.
Watney (Matt Damon) fortunately is a high-tech botanist. It is his scientific background and ingenuity that battle the environmental challenges. But it is his human spirit to survive that persists no matter how bleak the outlook. Watney also has a sense humor that helps: After all, he has the record for everything in the Mars Guinness Book of Records.
Damon does a yeoman’s job in his singular role. It is not an Oscar performance, but quality-wise matches Tom Hank’s portrayal in “Castaway.” Oscar nominations should be in the film’s forecast for Visual Effects and Film Editing. The plot of man-against-nature takes many twists, the most surprisingly is when China extends a helping hand to retrieve the marooned astronaut.
Some might ask why in the blazes are we on Mars in the first place. The same question the citizens of Italy asked Columbus when he was seeking funding.
A casting delight is Kristin Wigg (SNL comedienne) who plays a no-nonsense press secretary.
This is a Grade A exciting and suspenseful sci-fi movie. Running time is 2:20. If you see the previews and stay for the trailers you will be in your seat for close to three hours.
“The Martian” is currently playing in The Villages at the Old Mill Playhouse and Barnstorm Theater (2D and 3D).
Technical note: The rotating section of the main spacecraft creates an artificial gravity effect.
Jack Petro reviews movies for Villages-News.com
