The Martian Review (Some Spoilers May Be Present)

Space movies.  They seem to be making a comeback lately.  After Gravity and Interstellar another movie has come along with Matt Damon by director Ridley Scott called The Martian.  I enjoyed Gravity and really liked the thought-provoking Interstellar,  so I had to check this one out as well in light of the glowing reviews I had heard about it.  The story's premise is about a guy played by Matt Damon who gets abandoned for dead on the planet Mars. At this point in space exploration in our society Mars missions are common and a whole crew is at Mars doing experiments and trying to understand the planet better.  However, during dust storms (lots of them on Mars),  the Matt Damon character gets hit, and the crew in an emergency situation decide to launch off of Mars thinking he is a goner.

Matt Damon's character comes back to coherence and realizes he has to survive in which this movie becomes a tale of survival on a foreign planet.  This movie works on so many levels - let me explain:

1. Great plot pacing and development - story doesn't get too boring as it unfolds.

2. Humor kept on throughout the movie - keeps the laughs coming but not so much that it becomes a comedy.

3. Great acting by all the actors and actresses.  Matt Damon delivers a great performance and all his supporting actors/actresses do as well.

4. Great soundtrack choice.  I admit it.  I love good music placed within a good movie.  In fact, that could actually almost raise the movie a whole star in my rating if the soundtrack is well put together. The Martian has a great soundtrack including songs from the late David Bowie. 

5. Satisfying conclusion.  I feel like the movie does take a politically correct spin toward the end, but it still is satisfying to see the end.  I enjoyed it and Chrystal enjoyed it.  I felt it had more depth of story than Gravity, but wasn't as complicated to follow as Interstellar which also stars Matt Damon.  

Overall if you enjoy good science fiction,  you have to rent or buy The Martian.  It is a great story with great acting that really restores your faith in the science fiction genre of movies.  Sure, there may not be a lot of intergalactic warfare,  but overall it is a great journey to watch.