Directed by: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller
Written by: Drew Goddard
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, James Ortiz, Lionel Boyce
Rating: [4.5/5]
Heroism does not come naturally to all, as the sacrifice typically attached to that word does not come easy. Nothing is necessarily wrong nor a deficiency for individuals who fall into this category, but despite it all, individuals can still find their moments to display their version of heroism, as seen in the revelatory and inspirational Project Hail Mary. With humanity on its brink, we see a beautiful story of connection, bravery, and love in the unlikeliest of places.
With the sun dying away because of a strange phenomenon, scientists led by Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling) discover they must make their way deep into outer space for a long shot opportunity to save all of humanity. Now in space and all alone, Grace must utilize what knowledge he has to save humanity despite the obstacles in his way.
Science fiction author Andy Weir has written many novels that have garnered not only acclaim but also a large audience. His work in collaboration with Ridley Scott gave us The Martian, which centered on a charming man alone in space trying desperately to return home. This adaptation in collaboration with Phil Lord and Christopher Miller coincidentally also centers on a charming man alone in proved the perfect directors to take this novel and bring it to life.
Working on two different timelines, one in the present as Grace works to complete this mission and the other in the past displaying the lead-up to the mission, we witness exactly how he found himself in this situation. From teaching middle school science to serving as humanity’s final hope from an inevitable doom, Grace goes through quite the character arc allowing us to witness many tense and emotionally draining moments he encounters. Additionally, we get the pleasure of seeing him develop a beautiful friendship with the only other living organism out there with him, Rocky (James Ortiz).
As becomes clear upon his interactions with Rocky, Grace learns whatever ails the sun near Earth also impacts other planets with their own inhabitants. Therefore, the two decide to work together, sharing technology and resources to find a mutually beneficial solution for both of their populations. You can imagine communication between a human and an alien would come with some challenges, which the film cleverly finds a solution for and then progresses from there. What starts as a collaboration between species turns into a beautiful friendship between the pair that drives home the emotional effectiveness of this film. I never thought I would have so much affection for a rock-alien creature like this film evoked for me. It really speaks to the power of communication and how we can glean from something we do not know by merely just knowing what it says, its aspirations, fears, and ultimately what matters to Rocky.
Evident from Weir’s works and the directing duo at the helm for this film, comedic relief would inevitably be present throughout this film. With such a dour situation for Grace and Rocky, comedy exists as this release valve made necessary throughout, and it all works so well. It made the casting of Ryan Gosling so vital. He could effortlessly deliver on any comedic bits the script and direction called for. Taking on a role where the majority of the runtime consists of him either alone in space or acting opposite a rock-like creature requires so much from a lead, and unsurprisingly, Gosling more than has what it takes to carry a film such as this one. He continues to prove he’s one of the more reliable male leads in all of contemporary cinema in the way his charisma, dramatic acting ability, and comedic timing allow him to effortlessly flow into any role, and he will find a way to excel.
With this film taking place in space and dealing with heady topics, the screenplay and visual representation wonderfully presented everything in ways that would not lose audiences. Plenty of terminology and jargon gets thrown out there, but it all gets distilled in a digestible way with the intended general audience at least able to generally follow along. In a way, Grace serves as the audience’s conduit into the story where he learns everything about this mission and how to piece it together. We’re on the ride along with him the entire time, and the film strikes a strong balance of making it accessible while also not holding back on the scientific subject matter on hand. On board to deliver the visuals, Greig Fraser stands and does what he does best: delivers immaculate visuals for us to enjoy as audience members. Space aptly looks and feels incredibly vast to further remind us of our relative insignificance in the grand scheme of things. Just having his name attached to any project will pull me in, and he dazzles here with so much of this film shot practically. Drowning in visual grandeur, the man knows how to shoot a science fiction movie.
A crowd-pleaser through and through, Project Hail Mary comes together with all of the right components, seeking to entertain and move audience members on an emotional level. It maintains a sense of urgency because of the stakes involved while also patient enough to allow a friendship like Grace and Rocky’s to blossom into something that means more than anything else in the galaxy. Every single element of this film worked as expected with plenty of praise to go around for all of the cast and crew involved, all culminating in such an enjoyable viewing experience.
Films with Josh 
