The Martian [DVD]

I loved the novel this movie is based on, and the writer and director did a fantastic job of adapting it to the big screen. The tech and special effects are incredibly well-done, the characters ring true, the science is pretty accurate (with a few exceptions), and the pacing is just about perfect. The casting is superb, too, beginning with Matt Damon as Mark Watney, a NASA astronaut stranded alone on Mars. Damon absolutely nails Watney's sense of humor, practicality, intelligence, and determination, making the moments of vulnerability and discouragement all the more poignant. The other cast members get less screen time, but they play their roles with the same commitment and authenticity.I won't say much about the plot here; it's easy to find summaries elsewhere. Suffice it to say that, like Apollo 13 before it, this is a movie about many people pulling together to avert disaster -- in this case, to save the life of one man. It is, ultimately, a movie about the human spirit and the bonds that hold us together. It's also a very effective argument for the value of science and and space exploration, and the skills and knowledge of the people who pursue it. In the earliest days of the Covid lockdown, this was one of the movies I turned to for comfort and inspiration. And it holds up well to repeated watching. In fact... I think I'm about due for a rewatch.

Great story! matt Damon does a great job.

Great product and movie.

Overcoming almost impossible odds to survive.

This was fun. It was fairly intelligent so I had to stop and think about the reasoning being used. Many good things to say, but I want to really say I appreciate that there was not one member of the crew that had a personal axe to grind. Professionalism abounded.

Much better movie than the Title or Description infers!!! The movie has all the elements necessary to keep the interest of a broad range of ages. Movie Critics rate everything other than what is valued by the general public. Oscar winning movies were often box office flops, due to ratings by disconnected critics who are oblivious to subtle moral, social, or thought provoking scripts. They mirror those who miss the elements of life that a good actor can bring to life. Many movies will never be seen due to a critical rating by a person that represents a small segment of society. And while anything released in the Star Wars Saga are equally fun to watch, but hardly exhibit more than acceptable acting, and a storyline that is not much different from any of the prior scripts, which clearly demonstrates a clear bias based upon the Producer, Director, or just the endearment toward this timeless saga. However, Accadamy Award Winning material?? That is clearly a leap. And yet, when combining the totality of George Lucas's work, it couldn't receive less than 4 stars. And The Martian, absent of a cult following in the tens of millions should receive 3.5 stars solely based on the movie as a whole. Granted, there were a few unnecessary minutes of dead time attempting to illustrate the passage of many months where simply stating " 9 months later" I think the majority of the audience oils by that point in the movie, empathize with his mental state after that long of time. But they didn't draw out 10 minutes of him suffering from boredom and isolation which was a result of a major failure of his well oiled system. Even the most positive battle disappointment from spend a year building and having 75% disappear in less than a minute. The more we dwell on our disappointment, the harder it is to regroup.. However, it's important to mourn the tragedy but then we must force ourselves to no longer dwell on what we can't change and force our minds to begin building a new solution. Otherwise, depression sets in and it's a downward spiral. Plus he had no one. And today the 1-5 steps always assume everybody has somebody. The fact is, many don't so those who live in a vacuum within acadamia and determine what is normal, when faced themselves with the same type of circumstances that create the same feelings of disappointment, RARELY follow their own advice and will suffer. And yet because they wear a badge of Acadamia as a Dr., it is assumed they are already practicing their own advice. And therein lies the problem. Any Psychopath can attend Higher Ed and do the work receiving their Doctorate. They're still a Psychopath, however, the worship of Higher Ed automatically assumes that all who wear the label are the experts and those espousing common sense and are equally intelligent, however, it was the original group that set the bar.I looked at one the other day, and they are 90% based on memory which you are born with, therefore genetic. Those that have average memoriesare ranked with average intelligence.Those with tremendous social skills receive no points. Those with creative skills and the ability to invent solutions actually need the group with Great memories to supply the information by which those with creative skills will use to find a solution. In addition, they can communicate it in a non-superior manner necessary for the masses to receive and understand it.The good news is that he ancient IQ Test. needs destroyed and stop trying to create various qualifiers to attach to people which only divides us and limits our potential when all parties come together and supply all of the elements necessary. However, eliminating classes in the UK has never worked and the original American Settlers did away with class society, and simply called it something else. Today if a person gets up and communicates the most intelligent and reasonable solution. Before they finish the media will research their background that depending on whether they meet the criteria that determines credibility, will determine if what was initially spoken and made perfect sense, however, without that Suffix after their name, Everything said will be discounted for lacking the proper degree. If you have the money and are reasonably intelligent, you will receive a Doctorite. Acadamia approves and the University system has received their cut. And that didn't come from me initially but by two individuals both accomplished and holding two Doctorates each.Oddly, they rarely leave Acadamia, are horrible communicators but meet the definition of being an Authority.I can name two practicing Doctors with God syndromes. Unable to hear from anyone with less credentials and yet given tremendous power and authority to destroy anyone who questions them. While their actions are off the wall, their Doctorate allows for any bizarre behavior while a patient gets angry and are determined to be adangerto themselves and others. Usually because they questioned one of societies gods.FOOD FOR THOUGHT

This is a really great movie to sit back and relax to…. Constantly cheering for the main character