Rather Good

Rating: 7/10 (2 September 2018)

Set in the near future, a NASA astronaut (Matt Damon) is stranded on Mars. NASA attempts to bring him home.
It's easy to compare "The Martian" to other popular science-fiction films. The Damon character is like the earthling version of "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial". His situation is also similar to that of the Sandra Bullock character in "Gravity".
"The Martian" is entertaining even if it doesn't meet the higher level of the other films mentioned nor of many other well loved sci-fi films such as "Apollo 13" and "2001: A Space Odyssey". There is a lot of scientific jargon that is difficult to understand for the average viewer and the movie seems a bit long. There is also a fair share of cheesy, sentimental jingoism that is cringeworthy at times. Just one more grudge: the main character seems to reflect the writers in holding a 30-plus year grudge against the fact that some people like disco music of the 70s. (Get over it, man-boys.)
But overall, "The Martian" is enjoyable. Damon (like Bullock in "Gravity") is more than able to live up to the difficult task of keeping the viewer interested in long scenes while being the only person on screen. The NASA staff also seemed to reflect a solid gender and racial diversity. (Hollywood is finally catching up here.) And the very talented director Ridley Scott shows his able hands are at work once again as he did in other great sci-fi flicks "Alien" and "Blade Runner" and his best work "Thelma and Louise".
Despite the flaws, it's still entertaining.