Intelligent science fiction

Rating: 9/10 (1 October 2015)

This movie about a manned mission to Mars is over 2 hours long but it doesn't feel long. Each part is absorbing, from the evacuation to the "Castaway" type survival innovations on Mars to the space rescue.
The cast is all well chosen. Jessica Chastain is an intelligent looking commander. The likable crew includes Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan and Michael Pena. Matt Damon does a great job and is just the right person for this role not too hero like so he is believable.
It's good to see brain power solve problems instead of super hero powers. This makes it a more palatable form of science fiction. I didn't always get how they reached all their scientific breakthroughs but managed to follow what they were trying to achieve. There is a feel good international co-operation going on with help from China.
A couple of minus points. The set is a bit too much like a desert on Earth but I guess that's what Mars is like. Kind of wonder why they bother to go there if the planet is so unhospitable and it takes so long to get there. Even if it's hard to believe they would do all that to save 1 person the feel good aspect of the rescue is very enjoyable. There is much more to this movie than "Gravity".
Worth watching on the big screen.