The Martian (2015) Review

Well then, you guys have been exited for this one judging by my Instagram feed since the first trailer was released so I doubt I need to give you a my plot summary but to those who have been living under a rock, Ridley Scott's "The Martian" is about a stranded astronaut on Mars trying to survive while everyone back at earth is doing everything to save him, and it's really good. First of all, Ridley Scott is as we all know a fantastic director, probably one of the best living directors, and this film showed his decades of experience. It captured the sense of isolation on Mars and the struggle on earth to get him home very well and you cared for nearly everyone on screen and wanted them to succeed and while this could have been used as a way to create some real nail biting tension this opportunity I felt was not seized to its fullest with most of the film being predictable and smooth sailing. That being said the climax was very suspenseful, sweaty palm stuff. Some of the crew though were undeveloped which made the climax a little less tense when I only really knew and cared about 3 or so people, I found it annoying how they used the whole "oh no they have families!" As a way to make you try care but it only comes off as forced. At times it also felt a bit messy with some plot points feeling abandoned which just lead to confusion. In conclusion though the actors all around performed pretty well even if they did just really play themselves, the humour was there and very strong, you cared deeply about most people on screen and the climax will have you on the edge of your seat. Another well made film by Ridley Scott which I think most will thoroughly enjoy, if you're a Ridley Scott fan I see no reason why you wouldn't enjoy it. I know I'm sounding a little underwhelmed but it really was a great film that I absolutely recommend. 7.5/10