a review of 火星救援

Even though there existed some impossible stuff (physics based), I absolutely loved this film. The storm that stranded Watney probably couldn't happen in Mars' thin atmosphere, and that Iron Man stunt near the end definitely stretched credibility - but these scientific liberties never diminished my enjoyment. Watching The Martian in theaters is still imprinted on my mind years later. The period that has passed since that day was long indeed, but the film has found its place among the movies that I cherish despite all its challenges with existential dread and cosmic horror. The Martian was unique in that it was instead a love letter of sorts to human intelligence and the art of scientific inquiry. From the first moment I was really impressed by Matt Damon's performance. I enjoyed most of his jokes ("I'm gonna have to science the shit out of this"), but also truly felt his pain and desperation in those quieter moments alone on the red planet. That scene where he records a message - "Even though I may not make it back, I want you all to know I'm at peace with that. I did what I loved, and I was good at it" - absolutely destroyed me. The overwhelming part of the film is his absolute loneliness, which makes the interpretation more than just a simple achievement. The character of Mark Watney was performed by him in such a way that it was a cognitive balance between intelligence, vulnerability, and humor, where he was recognized in an instant. In spite of the fact that Interstellar tried to transcend into the realm of philosophical truths, the skeletal framework of The Martian was its greatest strength that allowed it to maintain its focus on practical and concrete problems. Watching Watney use science to overcome seemingly impossible odds was incredibly rewarding. And yet he made it, so can we. That's the beautiful message at the film's core - human ingenuity, determination and cooperation can overcome extraordinary challenges. I'm thinking it might be a good move to rewatch it soon, but that theatrical experience made it clear that The Martian remains among my all-time favorite sci-fi flicks, even surpassing Interstellar in my personal ranking.