Great, just flat out great!

Rating: 8/10 (27 May 2017)

Ridley Scott returns to the science-fiction genre based on the book by Andy Weir about a man who gets stranded on Mars and must survive for as long as he can.
This story might feel like a Cast Away and Apollo 13 hybrid but its execution makes The Martian feel absolutely refreshing and funny. The Martian has humor and charm that brings a kind of levity and watchability to a film that would otherwise feel emotionally exhausting to watch.
The film features an incredibly strong performance by Matt Damon as well as the rest of the cast. Visual effects are top notch and cinematography is a wonder to behold. The Martian is groundbreaking in its technical and storytelling achievements and is overall paced nearly perfectly. There are a few 3rd act inconsistencies but these feel minor since the 1st and 3rd act are incredibly strong.
Despite the story probably feeling familiar and a few pacing issues, The Martian is an excellent film that will attract casual movie goers and critical audiences alike. It's heartfelt, funny, and wonderfully directed. This is another highly recommended film from 2015.