The Martian

“THE MARTIAN” is a science fiction gem!

Blending tense action, captivating science, and beautiful 3D cinematography into an emotional character story, THE MARTIAN hits a powerful sweet spot. It’s bright, thrilling and unexpectedly funny. Featuring a brilliant performance by its leading man Matt Damon and helmed by the master director Ridley Scott, it’s a film that should not be missed!

The film narrates the story of a manned mission to Mars, during which, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and is left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring "the Martian" home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible rescue mission.

Based on a best-selling novel, THE MARTIAN offers a faithful adaptation and is easily one of the most engrossing, enthralling and entertaining films of the year. The best part is that it’s an adventure film for the intellect as well as the adrenaline glands. It is also an emotional whirlwind as big as the storm that started astronaut Watney's problems, and with a climax that might just make you forget to breathe, you’re literally absorbed in it for two and a quarter hours. There’s credible heft in the narrative, there’s true amazement in the science involved and there’s visual delight in the gorgeous imagery. Despite a few farfetched sequences, the film is, simply put, magnificent.

A fun viewpoint is, THE MARTIAN is the antithesis of a superhero movie – instead of one man trying to save the world, it's about the world trying to save one man. Above everything else, it’s a stunning piece of filmmaking by director Ridley Scott, who, with D.P. Dariusz Wolski, has created a fearsome yet alluring Mars landscape. Another USP is that for all its grim overtones, THE MARTIAN is surprisingly optimistic, cementing its status as one of the best genre films in recent years.

The film wouldn’t have been half as riveting as it is, if it wasn’t for the bravura performance from Matt Damon. He clearly outshines all the high profile sci-fi that’s on display with his sheer brilliance. I personally felt like I was there with him all that while. Mars may not be such a fun place to be stranded at, but getting stuck in a theatre watching Matt Damon in this movie definitely is. Rest of the star studded cast that includes Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Michael Peña, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Donald Glover, is terrific to say the least.

In all, THE MARTIAN is not only Scott’s best film in a very long time, but is perhaps 2015's best motion picture. It’s hilarious and a scientific masterwork. Go for it!