Ridley Scott and Matt Damon combine to make a wonderful movie.

Rating: 9/10 (14 March 2016)

Ridley Scott and Matt Damon combine to make a wonderful movie about survival and man's appetite for life. Nick Watney (Damon) is presumed dead and left stranded on Mars. With insufficient supplies he has to use his knowledge and ingenuity to survive until a rescue mission can try to save him.
Ridley Scott has a reputation as a director more concerned with visuals than character. The Martian is a beautiful film to watch. The landscapes are mightily impressive, and the special effects entirely convincing. However, Scott disproves his false reputation, allowing Nick Watney to take centre stage. Damon gives a performance full of warmth and humour, about a man for whom such traits are an important part of his fight for survival. His ability to take one small step at a time and bounce back from adversity is what saves him. Damon and Scott bring Watney very much to life and imbue the film with the central characters warmth and wit, giving us a hugely entertaining film packed with humanity.
Matt Damon is truly superb in the title role but he is ably assisted by a wonderful supporting cast including Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. However, it's Damon's film. He is better able to win an audience's support and trust in a role than any other film star today. We like him, we root for him, and we care for him.
Possibly the best film of 2015 and worth a couple of hours of anyone's time. Unmissable.