“Project Hail Mary,” a massive science fiction odyssey starring Ryan Gosling, was released to theaters on Friday. Following the release of “The Martian” in 2015, this is the second of author Andy Weir’s books to be adapted to film, and it brings the same performance-driven and scientifically grounded storytelling as before.
Gosling plays a pivotal role in “Project Hail Mary” as protagonist Ryland Grace. Grace is a reclusive, worn out middle school science teacher, turned into an astronaut tasked with saving earth in a last ditch effort or, as the title suggests, a Hail Mary. The plot itself is bleak, split into a stressful mission and apocalyptic flashbacks, but Gosling does a lot to make it enjoyable.
Tasked with nearly singlehandedly occupying nearly the entire 2 hour and 36 minute runtime, Gosling’s charisma does a lot of heavy lifting. He brings an energy to every scene, driving the story forward effectively. His charm shines through the most in his interactions with his alien friend Rocky, voiced by James Ortiz, where whimsical and comedic banter carry the story. Their relationship was likely the most important part of the source material to adapt, and it was brought effectively and faithfully on the silver screen.
Their dialogue, along with the vibrant colors and emotional storytelling, makes for a heartfelt and inspiring feature — no doubt due to the work of directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. Their filmography has a tendency towards positivity, holding names like “Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse,” “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” and “The Lego Movie.”
Their work remains consistent here, though there are a few missteps. The positivity may have gone too far at times, as a few scenes in “Project Hail Mary” can only be described as aggressively sappy. The film is a bit cliche and usually shies away from darker elements. This isn’t always an issue, but considering the book succeeded at balancing levity with reality, it is hard to ignore the missed opportunities.
The initial scene of Grace waking up alone on a spaceship should be terrifying, yet it is mostly treated as a gag in the movie. Several poignant storylines on Earth from the book get skipped altogether, and the lighthearted montages with Rocky and Grace tend to overstay their welcome. There was an opportunity here to make a powerful statement about climate change and government action, as the book covers harrowing sacrifices the global population must make. Instead, the focus laid much more on friendship and emotions. The core action, drama and scientific problem-solving was preserved, but much of the weight and greater implication feels lost.
Regardless of what was adapted and what wasn’t, a lot was gained in movie format. Lord and Miller put their absolute best out visually. The set designs are messy, real and grounding, which is a lot to ask for when tackling outer space. One action set piece involves the ship dipping into the atmosphere of a planet, and it is visually stunning, using colors and effects in a novel way. It is hard to say if it tops “Interstellar” in these regards, but it is certainly worth a conversation.
“Project Hail Mary” may be ideologically safe, but it is a stellar visual experience and a charming screenplay. The directorial and actorial excellence pushed this movie beyond its flaws, and fans of the book can rest assured that it is a tasteful adaptation of the beloved novel.
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