Worth watching, but really a lazy adaptation

Rating: 6/10 (15 October 2015)

I had great hopes for this movie after reading the book. Although it was entertaining, it could have been so much more. For me the directing, acting and screen play came up way short.
For example, I think one of the most powerful/emotional moments in the book was when the satellite tech first realized that Whatney was alive - his completely hopeless situation suddenly hits her and she starts to softly cry. This powerful moment was totally missed in the movie. Same can be said of most of the humor which made the book special, like when he's finally rescued and inside and takes off his helmet letting the crew in on the fact that he hasn't showered for days... that and other examples totally glossed over in the movie.
The depiction of Mars landscape, although breathtaking at times was like something out of a 1950's sci-fi - with towering jagged peaks everywhere. Very unrealistic which took me out of the immersion at times.
Then there's the laughable bit where the kid is explaining orbital dynamics to the head of NASA... yea I know it needs to be explained for the audience, but even still, it was so moronic. Also lots of completely overdone clichéd crowd shots.
IMO, Damon does not have the chops for this role. His performance was just adequate. And also IMO, Ridley Scott's effort here is just completely overrated.
Just seems like a rushed, kind of lazy job here with what could have been an epic movie.