The Martian Features Striking Visual Effects, Matt Damon with a Brilliant Performance and is Surprisingly Humorous

Rating: 9/10 (13 October 2015)

If the latest movies didn't reach the expectations, The Martian comes to solidified Ridley Scott's genius. The film is breathtaking, the tension will surely keep you on the edge of your seat. Ridley Scott is well known for being a master in set design and in The Martian, he did not disappoint. To distinguish the ones which graphical computing are used from those that are real settings is challenging. The scenarios are outstanding and the level of details is impressive, making them quite immersive and leading you to believe that they actually filmed in those places. To ease the burden brought by the solitude of the astronaut, the synergy between the soundtrack and a very clever sense of humor make the scenes much more amusing. Throughout the movie, there is a good distribution among the most tense scenes that are visually fantastic and the others which are responsible for the development of the characters and this is something that leaves no wish unfulfilled as we have the opportunity to really get to know the personalities of each individual. Despite significant changes, The Martian is based on a book by Andy Wier and an aspect that is very similar is the constant use of a more scientific language. This feature does not make the movie hard to understand, quite the opposite, makes it more realistic and believable. Many of these explanations Mark Watney himself does, in order to keep a record of his journey on Mars. By doing so, there's the impression that he speaks directly to the audience and using a more friendly and humorous tone, these explanations don't become too didactic or boring.
The entire cast does an extraordinary job. The actors and actresses responsible for both astronauts on the spacecraft as NASA scientists play their roles marvelously. From the work done in the creation and development of these characters, the cast manages to build them in a way which makes it easy to find them more interesting and convincing. But the one who I have to take my hat off is Matt Damon playing Mark Watney. Matt Damon delivers one of his finest roles of his career. With his charisma and talent, he is able to hold the screen and makes Mark Watney a character that gains the audience sympathy very quickly much due the combination of his nerd, lively and comic sides that pulls the character to a spot much more closer from the public. Reading the synopsis of the movie, it is assumed that due to solitude, the film would have a more depressing tone. On the contrary, much due to the optimism and sense of humor of Mark Watney the loneliness is far less depressing. Of course there are moments when the situation gets worse and he almost gets at the edge of losing hope and accept his fatal destiny, but his perseverance makes him keep fighting for.