Thoroughly enjoyable, beautifully shot movie

Rating: 9/10 (8 August 2017)

This was a great adaptation of the book, which I read and thoroughly enjoyed before the movie was announced.
I've seen both the theatrical release and the extended version. The extended version just added a little more to the story, didn't really add much to the overall effect of the film, although there was a very funny, very inappropriate insult that was cut from the theater version to insure the PG-13 rating.
Realistic sets and ship designs, and a great execution of the Mars surface. I thought Damon was perfect as Mark Watney, the right blend of intelligence and humor. The rest of the casting was excellent as well.
I'm surprised and a little dismayed at some of the reviews who claim that the science in the film wasn't realistic. If you do a little research, you'll discover that all of the orbital mechanics as well as the challenges on the Martian surface are accurate, and that the complex series of steps needed to mount an expedition to Mars are realistic.
I thought that the thought process of NASA and JPL were very realistic in how to handle the situation both scientifically and as a public relations disaster, and that the differing viewpoints were solid in their reasoning.
As a film it was well constructed, good pacing, with moments of real emotion. I'll concede that Watney's "Iron Man maneuver" at the climax of the story was a little over the top, and probably would not have helped him.
I truly took the movie as a testament to the better parts of humanity--our ability to think and reason and work together.
So, don't go into it thinking this is a Hollywood edge of your seat disaster movie, or fanciful "hyperspace" adventure, it's a rational, thoughtful adventure.