Posted by A film based on a book by Andy Weir about someone stranded in space, fighting for survival. No, I’m not talking about The Martian but Project Hail Mary – a new Amazon Prime film also based on a book by Mr Weir. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, the men behind Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs of all things, Project takes a Christopher Nolan like concept and liberally sprinkles it with feel good, blockbuster charm.
Ryland Grace, an always charming Ryan Gosling, wakes up from a coma to find himself alone and stranded deep in space – bringing to mind Passengers, but thankfully not matching its quality. Flashbacks are cleverly woven into the current day, as Ryland tries to remember who he is and complete his mission.
We find out the crux of it is a dark mysterious matter called Astrophage, which is slowly but surely eating the sun. The world is panicked and convenes all the top scientists and great thinkers to figure it out before doom prevails. Eva Stratt is the humane but reluctant figurehead of this team (a wonderful Sandra Hüller), and she can think of no better scientist than middle school science teacher Ryland.
This is a genuinely funny and heart warming sci fi flick, which mixes the awe and wonder of Interstellar with the warmth of a big Spielberg movie. Despite the story being a bit convenient at times and increasingly corny by the end, it is wholly satisfying. The visuals are lush and the characters are full to boot. The chemistry between Ryland and the clever but cutesy little alien Rocky is the film’s lifeblood. Rocky is a quirky, whippy and sometimes dry little thing performed with child-like curiosity by James Ortiz – and rekindles memories of the droid K2SO from Rogue One.
A big blockbuster that is funny, full of heart and looks spectacular – definitely worth 2.5 hours of your time.
8/10.
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