Real Science

Rating: 9/10 (3 March 2016)

There are no magical aliens, no farcical wormholes to other dimensions, no hocus pocus. The Martian proves that real, hard science fiction does not need smoke and mirrors. Real science is dramatic enough without fantasy plot devices. Interstellar couldn't drive its plot without magical trans-dimensional beings and their giant cube of bedrooms. Prometheus needed killer aliens who navigate with magic flutes. Mission to Mars was going along fine until it resorted to a 20-foot-tall space lady hologram living inside a giant face. The Martian drives a killer plot without any of these lame devices. The Martian proves that science is a vast resource of plot and drama that more writers should explore. The fact everything on the screen could actually happen without using a crane to suspend your disbelief is what makes it a great film.