Martian, The (1/11/2016)

Rated PG-13 for some strong language, injury images, and brief nudity.

Starring Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kate Mara, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Pena, Aksel Hennie, Sebastian Stan, Kristen Wiig and Sean Bean

Directed by Ridley Scott (Alien, Gladiator and Black Hawk Down)

Ridley Scott does it again!

Based on the bestselling book by Andy Weir, The Martian is the story of astronaute Mark Watney (Matt Damon). During a manned mission to the red planet, a fierce storm leaves Watney presumed dead and therefore left behind by his crew. Now stranded, Watney must survive the hostile environment of Mars with few supplies while trying to find a way to signal Earth that he is still alive and in need of rescue.

I’ve watched plenty of films that had a good story, a good cast –or– a good director, I’ve even watched a few that had a great story, a great cast –or– a great director. But it is rare to watch a film that has a great story, a great cast AND a great director.

The story is a simple one. On a manned mission to Mars, the crew is surprised by a sudden, violent sandstorm that forces them to abort the mission. In the midst of their escape, one crew member appears to have been killed, and is left behind. But the crew member has miraculously survived, and finds himself abandoned and alone in a dire situation on the Red Planet.

I’m sure they were tempted to make it “science heavy” or to dumb things down, but there is just enough science to keep the average moviegoer interested and following along…and believing in the possibility of these events actually happening.

Matt Damon is absolutely fantastic as The Martian. He is believable and entertaining; which is really impressive since most of the film he is alone on the screen. The rest of the huge cast includes Jessica Chastain, Michael Pena, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jeff Daniels, Kristen Wiig, Sean Bean and Donald Glover. And you couldn’t ask for a better cast.

Finally there is the director. What can I say about Ridley Scott? He is extremely talented and one of my personal favorites. I love his style of filmmaking and once again he had me on the edge of my seat.

The Martian also has a bit more humor than most Ridley Scott films. I loved the running gag about disco music and the J.R.R. Tolkien reference.

So how good is The Martian? To me it is “Worth Buying.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is no sex, but there is one scene where Matt Damon is seen naked from behind.

There is a scene with an injury and some blood as well as shrapnel. There is a graphic scene where a man pulls shrapnel out of a wound in his stomach and uses a medical stapler to close the wound. The sight will make some people cringe.

There are 4 F-words (two mouthed without sound) plus several times it was alluded to as “the ‘f’ word,” or written as “f—ing.” There are also several uses of the S-word and others.”

The film is intense in the last half of the film but the tone is not too dark due to the optimistic and sarcastic personality of Mark Watney, who eventually shows his vulnerable side. The entire theme of the film is disaster-related peril, including a sandstorm, potential starvation, suffocation, and hypothermia.

CONVERSATION STARTER:

1. There was a long list of obstacles that Mark Watney had to overcome. What were some of them?


2. What are some obstacles you’re facing right now?

Read James 1:2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.


3. How did Mark preserve?


4. How can you persevere when you face obstacles?