An optimistic, first class blockbuster with great emotional payoff

Rating: 7/10 (8 October 2015)

"The Martian" is a very optimistic survival movie, so much so that you probably know going in what the answer to the film's big question is. Therefore, the film, which starts off with a intense sequence of Watney (Matt Damon) being left behind by his crew on Mars, becomes more about how they get there.
This is probably the film's best aspect, it is an unabashedly well- meaning celebration of science and kind, intelligent people working together to help one another (even the potentially clichéd PR antagonist is non-existent). The series of events that follow revolve around scientific ideas that are brought forward with the degree of accuracy and amount of exposition balanced just right, compelling the audience effortlessly (kudos to screenwriter Drew Goddard, though the film's humour is mediocre at best). Moreover, the crew's camaraderie is very convincing and thus affecting.
The first half of the film is pretty by-the-numbers: there are obstacles, those obstacles are overcome, then there are setbacks. This is what keeps the film going (apart from the ensemble's winning performances) but it may become repetitive for some. However, the strong second half builds and builds to an incredibly emotional and riveting climax that catches you off guard. Unfortunately the sequence ends abruptly as we fast-forward to the unnecessary "and everyone lives happily ever after" montage.
What could've been a bleak, cynical tale of survival becomes a first class feel-good blockbuster. I would say "welcome back, Sir Ridley Scott" but I actually quite like his recent efforts.
(PS – It's easy to take the visual effects for granted, but it is superb.)